In a statement, FAP announced it will sign a protocol today with the University of Porto, Polytechnic Institute of Porto, and Catholic University to allocate 24 beds in the new Marquês residence to scholarship students.
The institution confirmed all beds in the new residence will be for scholarship students and that “after some works, such as the installation of a kitchen, among other aspects,” Academia 24 will be available by the next academic year.
“With the new residence, starting in September, FAP will provide a total of 64 beds for scholarship students in Porto: 40 at Academia 24 in Bainharia, in the historic center of Porto, and 24 beds in the new Marquês residence — both managed by FAP,” the statement reads.
The FAP president, Francisco Porto Fernandes, stated the decision is driven by “the obligation to ensure no student is left behind for economic or social reasons,” in a context where many young people face difficulties accessing and attending higher education.
“FAP aims to be an active part of the solution and use its resources to promote equal opportunities in access to and attendance of Higher Education,” he noted.
The protocol is expected to be signed today at 16:00 in the Pátio das Nações at the Palácio da Bolsa, during a ceremony marking FAP’s 36th anniversary, with the presence of the President of the Assembly of the Republic, José Pedro Aguiar Branco, anticipated.
Simultaneously, it was unanimously approved in the General Assembly that 15% of FAP’s net result will be mandatorily allocated to funding social activities.
“Until now, FAP allocated significant funds to social projects by the decision of the elected boards, but the introduced change ensures this priority, regardless of changes in leadership. In addition to the financial clause, FAP’s statutes now include the promotion of equal opportunities as one of the primary objectives of the Federação Académica do Porto,” Francisco Porto Fernandes added.
The main source of revenue for FAP comes from organizing Queima das Fitas do Porto.
A portion of the generated revenue will now be mandatorily directed to social impact initiatives.
Alongside the residences, FAP runs the “FAP no Bairro” volunteer project, aiming to combat school dropout and failure, promote social inclusion, and support the well-being of children and young people in Bairro do Carriçal and Bairro Dr. Nuno Pinheiro Torres.
Today also anticipates the formal request to the Government for public utility status.
“Obtaining this status, granted to non-profit organizations with public social interest intervention, will enhance FAP’s institutional credibility within the academic community and the region and formalize the public service carried out over the past three decades,” FAP stated.
