The Faculty of Medicine at the University of Porto (FMUP) reported potential procedural irregularities in the Special Contest for Graduates 2025 to the university’s Rector, António de Sousa Pereira, on September 11, according to a press release.
António de Sousa Pereira, the Rector of U.Porto, alleged receiving pressures from several individuals to admit 30 candidates into the Faculty of Medicine who did not achieve the minimum required score of 14 in the entrance exam, as reported by the newspaper Expresso on September 5.
The minimum score for the test, according to regulations published in the Diário da República, is 14. Only seven students achieved this score.
Thirty individuals received an email from FMUP informing them of their acceptance into the Medicine program, although the Rector did not approve this communication, as required by law.
The Attorney General’s Office confirmed today that there is an ongoing inquiry within the Public Prosecution Office concerning the case of the 30 candidates to FMUP’s Medicine program.
Lusa requested an explanation from FMUP regarding the “potential procedural irregularities” detected during the special contest for graduate candidates, but the institution declined to comment, referring to the press release.
The notice of potential procedural irregularities was forwarded to the Rectorate after FMUP’s Director, Altamiro da Costa Pereira, became aware of them on September 9 through an email and took steps to ascertain these potential issues internally and subsequently.
According to the statement, the U.Porto Rectorate informed FMUP on September 12 that the information provided by the Faculty was forwarded to the Public Prosecution Office.
FMUP stresses its commitment to ensuring calm within the academic community to continue fulfilling its mission of education, research, care, and innovation in health. It emphasizes acting in good faith throughout the process without intending to harm or favor any candidate or group of candidates.
The U.Porto Academic Senate convened on Wednesday to hear from the Rectorate and FMUP’s management regarding the issue of the 30 candidates in Medicine, but no resolution was made by the body.
On September 6, the Porto Academic Federation (FAP) and student associations at U.Porto requested an urgent Academic Senate meeting to allow university leaders to address the controversies surrounding the case of the 30 candidates informed of their acceptance into the special access course without Rector’s approval.
The controversy is set to be discussed in parliament, with the Minister of Education, Fernando Alexandre, and the Rector of U.Porto called to address the issue.
According to FAP, its President, Francisco Fernandes, will be heard on October 23.
