Taguspark Communication, Events and Partnerships Unit (NCEP)

António Jarmela, a Master’s student in Aerospace Engineering, took office on November 13, 2024.

A plan for the swimming pool on the Alameda campus, a commitment to the Oeiras campus, a stronger presence in educational policy and a revision of the bylaws – these are the main flagships of the term of office of the Students’ Association of the Instituto Superior Técnico (AEIST) that is now beginning, led by António Jarmela.

The student attended the Degree in Mechanical Engineering (which he completed with an average of 17), is in the 2nd year of the Master’s in Aerospace Engineering and took office on November 13, 2024. In a first interview, he shares the objectives he will pursue during his term and his vision for the future of the Association.

An employee of AEIST since his first year on the course, in his second year he had the opportunity to be a member of the General Board of the Lisbon Academic Federation, something that “greatly changed [his] perception of the association” and made him “dedicate more and more time to it”.

“For many of those who are here, AEIST is a second home,” describes António Jarmela, who sees the association ‘on a clear upward path’. His candidacy for the presidency of the body came about “because I believe [I have] something to give to this institution” – the student wants to pursue a course of “transparency”, “participation” and “influence”.

So what will AEIST’s activity focus on in the future? “The Técnico community [is] in constant turmoil,” says António Jarmela, which is why he emphasizes teaching methods, learning models and spaces and infrastructures. As for the latter, “currently the focus is on study and meeting spaces”. The student also lists “a plan for the swimming pool” at the Alameda campus, intending to present “a vision for the rehabilitation of that space”.

Still on the subject of infrastructure, AEIST’s new president speaks of “a commitment to Oeiras”, referring to the modernization of this campus as one of the flagships of this mandate. “Allied to this,” he adds, ”we are looking to intensify our presence and activity by promoting a stronger connection with these students.”

On the horizon, he sees “a revision of the Association’s bylaws”, an issue that has been on his mind for “several years” and one of his election promises. At the same time, the student wants AEIST to take a stronger stance on educational policy, with the launch of the ‘Global Motion’, “a book with AEIST’s positions on all the issues within the scope of Técnico’s and the University of Lisbon’s policies, in order to play an active role in academia”.

In view of the more than 90% abstention rate in the last elections for the AEIST bodies, António Jarmela appealed to the academic community. “The teaching methods, the class regime, the assessment regulations, the price of the social meal, the price of tuition fees and everything that exists in our School and University is decided by elective bodies,” he recalled. In this sense, he believes that the “disconnection of the student community with these bodies is something that must be seriously combated”.

In his opinion, the statutory revision he is proposing could “increase student participation, since one of the biggest obstacles at the moment is the date on which elections take place”. “More important than that,” he continues, ‘is linking the community to AEIST and this is a path that is also being taken – this could be the year when more Autonomous Sections are formed,’ something that ‘will contribute to AEIST’s democratic participation’ in student life.