UC.ON-BOARD PLUS: A programme to promote academic success at the University of Coimbra

The UC.ON-BOARD PLUS - Integrated Programme to Promote School Success, Prevent and Reduce Dropouts at the University of Coimbra (UC) is the new project that continues the work developed under the ON-BOARD programme.

The new programme aims to foster integration practices, well-being, and continuous monitoring to reduce dropout rates and enhance academic success. New initiatives include virtual tutoring, adaptive teaching powered by artificial intelligence and machine learning tools, and peer tutoring tailored to diverse target groups, such as students facing humanitarian emergencies or those with specific educational needs."

According to Cristina Albuquerque, C Vice-Rector for Teaching and Attractiveness, the creation of a UC wellness centre, the 'Happiness Campus', is 'the main distinctive feature' of the new project. She describes the initiative as 'a living organism that nurtures relationships through specific actions'. Albuquerque adds that the new tools introduced represent 'a refinement and improvement of aspects already tested in the first ON-BOARD programme'.

The actions implemented under the ON-BOARD project, which took an integrated and multidimensional approach to tackling school failure and dropout in higher education, focused on mentoring processes (both personal and digital) for students and teachers. These actions also aimed at changing the organisational conditions and improving the academic performance of universities. As a result, the project has already significantly reduced dropout rates and increased academic success at the University of Coimbra (UC). The percentage of students who renewed their enrolment increased from 83% in 2022 to 89% in 2023.

"The number of students dropping out of higher education is worrying," warns the Rector of the University of Coimbra, highlighting financial difficulties as one of the main reasons behind this issue. "It is a serious form of discrimination if a young person cannot pursue their desired course because they lack the financial means. It is something I find hard to accept," states Amílcar Falcão.

To improve the academic success rate, Falcão underscores the importance of recognising that "higher education is undergoing profound and rapid changes, particularly driven by technological advances." He emphasises that programmes like UC.ON-BOARD PLUS "can be of great help" in attracting and retaining students.

Amílcar Falcão praises the project, which he says is being carried out by "highly motivated and committed people who really want to improve and help students." Following ON-BOARD's "promising results," the UC rector is confident that UC ON-BOARD PLUS will also "bear fruit."

The new initiative, funded with 1.1 million euros from the PRR Mais Digital programme, was officially launched at the Student Hub on 16 December.