Programme

International Week 2026 – 22–26 June

Programme Overview

Academic Staff
Students
Common Activities
22 June

WELCOME DAY

09:00 – 09:30 Registration and Coffee Time
09:30 – 10:00 Welcome Session

Paulo Sampaio – Co-Lead Linking Local Ecosystems WG – European Arqus Alliance / Head of the DPS

Paulo Afonso – Erasmus Academic Coordinator, Department of Production and Systems

10:00 – 10:30 Celebrating Fifty Years of Internationalization

Madalena Araújo – Department of Production and Systems

10:30 – 11:00 Coffee Break and Networking
11:00 – 12:30 Pitches

Students – Business Ideas

Academic Staff – University Innovation and Entrepreneurial Ecosystems

12:30 – 14:00 Lunch and Networking @ UMinho
14:00 – 16:30 Guimarães and Team Building Activity (organised by students)
19:00 – 20:00 Dinner – UMinho (Students)
23 June

UNIVERSITY INNOVATION AND ENTREPRENEURIAL ECOSYSTEMS

09:00 – 09:30 Coffee Time
09:30 – 10:30 MasterClass – Innovation in a geopolitical world: Why future entrepreneurs need to think beyond markets

Sandra Fernandes – UMinho Pro-Rector, European Arqus Alliance

10:30 – 11:00 Coffee Break and Networking
11:00 – 12:30 Group Work and Mentoring
12:30 – 14:00 Lunch and Networking @ UMinho
14:00 – 14:30 Case Study – Startup Journey

Gerda Jurkoniene – University of Vilnius

14:30 – 15:00 Workshop – From Knowledge to Impact: Connecting Research, Industry and Society at UMinho

Lisete Neves – TecMinho

15:00 – 16:30 Group Work and Mentoring
19:00 – 20:00 Dinner – UMinho (Students)
24 June

CULTURAL AND SOCIAL DAY

09:00 – 09:30 Bus from Guimarães (UMinho Campus) to Viana do Castelo (Cabedelo Beach)
12:15 – 12:30 Bus from Cabedelo Beach to Viana do Castelo City Center
12:30 – 17:00 Free Time for Lunch and Visit – Optional Ferry Boat
17:00 – 17:15 Bus to Santuário Santa Lúzia
18:00 – 18:15 Bus back to Viana do Castelo City Center
18:15 – 19:30 Return to Guimarães (UMinho Campus)
25 June

TURNING IDEAS INTO BUSINESSES

09:00 – 09:30 Bus from Guimarães to Braga (Gnration)
09:30 – 10:45 Gnration – Startup Braga

João Fernandes – Director

10:45 – 11:00 Walk to the Congregados Building
11:00 – 12:30 Workshop – Inclusive Gender Equality in Innovation Ecosystems

Adriana Carvalho – Gender Equality Commission UMinho, European Arqus Alliance

12:30 – 14:00 Lunch and Networking – Congregados Building
14:00 – 16:30 Free Time to Visit Braga City Center
16:30 – 17:00 Bus to Bom Jesus
17:00 – 18:30 Free Time to Visit Bom Jesus
18:30 – 19:00 Walk Down the 573 Stairs or Use the Funicular
19:00 – 19:30 Return to Guimarães (UMinho Campus)
19:30 – 20:00 Dinner – UMinho (Students)
26 June

FAREWELL DAY

09:00 – 09:30 Coffee Time
09:30 – 10:00 SET.Up Guimarães

Rui Pinheiro – Coordinator

10:00 – 10:30 Guimarães Green European Capital 2026

Isabel Loureiro – Member of the Executive Board

10:30 – 11:00 Coffee Break
11:00 – 12:00 Presentations and Discussion

Students – Project / Business Ideas

Academic Staff – University Innovation and Entrepreneurial Ecosystems

12:00 – 12:30 Lessons Learned and Closing Session
12:30 – 14:00 Farewell Lunch Gathering – UMinho

Want to participate?

Contact the Organising Committee