The RJIES should ensure equal treatment among public, private, and cooperative institutions, strengthening the autonomy of non-state higher education institutions and eliminating discriminatory practices against their students as currently observed,” stated Rui Morais.
The leader, elected today and president of the Student Association of the Miguel Torga Institute in Coimbra, stressed the need to address existing structural imbalances by aligning the regime with constitutional principles of equality, freedom of education, and non-discrimination.
The student leader emphasized the importance of acknowledging the value of institutional pluralism and recognizing the role of private higher education institutions as integral parts of the higher education system with social, educational, and scientific functions.
“We also propose that their classification depends solely on criteria of merit and quality, duly accredited,” Rui Morais highlighted, advocating for close dialogue with the Portuguese Association of Private Higher Education to develop a Statute for Private and Cooperative Higher Education, complementing the RJIES and recognizing their specific characteristics and public mission.
The new president of FNESPC is also pushing for changes in access to social services to ensure equal conditions with state education counterparts.
“Students in the private sector should have access to scholarships, housing, food, transportation, and other support under equal conditions as their public education peers,” emphasized the student from Coimbra.
