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2025-09-05

The Miguel Torga Higher Education Institute (ISMT) signed a collaboration agreement with Santa Casa da Misericórdia de Coimbra (SCMC) this Friday, September 5th, consolidating its strategy of community connection, social innovation, and strengthening the applied education of its students.

The agreement provides for the development of joint research projects, curricular internships, academic dissertations, and the provision of specialized services, placing ISMT's scientific knowledge at the service of the Misericórdia's social responses.

Among the highlighted initiatives is the creation of a "living aging laboratory," to be installed at the São Martinho do Bispo social farm, and the implementation of an intergenerational residence in Celas, scheduled for 2025/2026, which will simultaneously accommodate ISMT students and seniors supported by SCMC.

For Manuel Castelo Branco, President of the ISMT Board of Directors, this protocol "reflects a clear focus on working together with social institutions in the region and across the country, reinforcing our mission of connecting with the territory and the Lusophone world." He also emphasized the importance of this partnership for training in Social Work and Psychology, strategic areas for the ISMT: "Our students, in addition to academic knowledge, have direct contact in the field with institutions that will, in many cases, be their professional future. It is a significant opportunity for everyone."

At the signing ceremony, the ISMT's President of the Board of Directors, Manuel Castelo Branco, Vice-President Dulce Simões, and Board member Miguel Fonseca were present. The Santa Casa da Misericórdia de Coimbra (Coimbra's Santa Casa da Misericórdia) also attended by Ombudsman Tiago Mariz, Vice-Ombudsman Luís Matos Cabo, Director-General Joel Araújo, and Maria João Buzano, from the Board of Directors of CEIFAC – Coimbra's Integrated Family Support Center.

This protocol, considered unprecedented by both institutions, paves the way for new projects with a strong social and academic impact in Coimbra and the Central region.