University of Porto - Facilities

Facilities

The University buildings — faculties, R&D centres, student residences and sport facilities — are grouped in three main sites (called ‘poles’). In the city centre — where the neoclassical building of architect Carlos Amarante marks the birthplace of the University — lies Pole 1; Pole 2 (Asprela) is a campus in the northern end of Porto; Pole 3 (Campo Alegre) is located in the western part of the city, over the river Douro bank, not far from Pole 1. A number of other institutes and centers are scattered all over the city and even beyond its limits.

The development of strong links with the community is one of the University's main concerns. This lies behind the constitution of the Science and Development Foundation, an institution that associates University and municipality and is responsible for the management of two important cultural facilities located in Pole 3, the Porto Planetarium and the Campo Alegre Theatre. Another evidence of this concern is the priority given to Continuing Education, with the development of multidisciplinary courses, the establishment of cooperation protocols, the training of teachers, the foundation of the Association of Portuguese Universities for Continuing Education and the providing of e-learning courses.