The board of directors of the Agency for Assessment and Accreditation of Higher Education (A3ES) has approved the establishment of the integrated master’s program in Medicine at the University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro (UTAD) in Vila Real.
The course has been conditionally accredited by A3ES for a period of two years.
Developed in close collaboration with the Local Health Unit of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro (ULSTMAD), the program aims to train 40 students annually, emphasizing the humanization of healthcare delivery and disease prevention.
“This integrated master’s in Medicine is crucial for retaining professionals and fostering territorial cohesion in the country,” stated Ivo Oliveira, chairman of the board of ULSTMAD.
He highlighted “the solid institutional partnership with UTAD, which enabled the creation of the Academic Clinical Center (CACTMAD), aimed at promoting research, training, and integrated healthcare delivery, bridging higher education with clinical practice.”
This partnership, he added, is the foundation of the now accredited Medicine course at UTAD.
“We are talking about a development anchor for the region, a future for our youth, technical and scientific innovation, and a guarantee of integrated and excellent healthcare,” he argued.
For Oliveira, the National Health Service (SNS) “also plays an invaluable role in training healthcare professionals.”
“The SNS is an instrument of equality and social progress, serving everyone. It provides assistance to those in need, especially in times of vulnerability and regardless of economic situation, social status, or place of residence,” he emphasized.
Ivo Oliveira reaffirmed the institutional commitment to “consolidate this project, so it becomes a reference master’s at the national level and, together,” continue to grow and develop the two organizations.
“This is a happy day for ULSTMAD. I want to express my gratitude to everyone involved in this process, especially the entire UTAD academy and, notably, the ULS professionals, for the quality, dedication, and commitment with which they fulfill our caring mission. A decisive step for the future of Health in Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro,” he stressed.
Carla Amaral, vice-rector for Education and Quality, had previously noted that this is “good news” for the academy and the Trás-os-Montes region, and added that UTAD is “very committed” to having the slots open for the academic year 2026/27.
She explained that accreditation is subject to conditions such as training of clinical and teaching staff, increasing the number of faculty with doctorates, or establishing a simulation center at the Vila Real unit of ULSTMAD, which Carla Amaral describes as “absolutely essential during the teaching and learning process.”
The proposal by UTAD involves admitting 40 students per year, a maximum number intended to be maintained over the six-year course duration, focusing on humanization and closeness to the patient, as well as primary and preventive healthcare.
For the implementation of this integrated master’s program, a student transportation system has also been prepared to connect the university and the ULS, which includes the hospitals of Vila Real, Chaves, and Lamego and 23 health centers.
