The Ministry of Education, Science, and Innovation (MECI) released its new proposal for revising RJIES, highlighting adjustments such as limiting the system to universities and polytechnic universities and offering more flexibility in the voting power of each electorate in selecting the rector.
During the Science Meeting 2025 that concluded at the NOVA School of Business and Economics in Carcavelos, Minister Fernando Alexandre shared insights, noting that significant changes arose from recent discussions with political parties.
“There was reflection, and a primary point of divergence, particularly with PS, concerned the classification of the binary system,” he stated, emphasizing the clarity achieved in the new version.
The earlier proposal, which passed the initial parliamentary stage before the government’s collapse, introduced three categories: universities, polytechnic universities, and polytechnic institutes, where polytechnic universities were distinguished by offering doctoral programs.
Under the new proposal, only universities and polytechnic universities are recognized, both managed by rectors “to ensure greater symmetry between the subsystems and alignment with other European higher education systems.”
The minister remarked this simplification addresses potential confusion caused by the three types, especially between polytechnic universities and institutes.
MECI also aims to transition non-integrated schools (higher education institutions not part of a university or polytechnic) into universities or polytechnic universities.
Fernando Alexandre warned, “Institutions will need to strategize for development within this new legal framework,” pointing out the current system’s fragmentation.
The Government’s proposal also changes how rectors are elected, addressing critiques from Chega.
Similar to the previous proposal, direct rector elections are retained, but now institutions have greater flexibility in electorate representation, mandating a minimum 10% from each of the four electorates.
Institutions can autonomously decide the remaining 60% distribution in their statutes.
The minister noted these adjustments foster alignment with the main opposition parties and enhance the project’s quality.
MECI will consult sector representatives over the next two weeks regarding the new RJIES revision, aiming for parliamentary submission in September and approval by year-end.
The current RJIES has been in place since 2007 and was due for a 2013 review. Previous attempts by Antonio Costa’s and Luis Montenegro’s governments stalled due to their respective falls.
