The director of the Centre for Pedagogical Innovation at the Polytechnic Institute of Porto, Mário Cruz, was part of the delegation that participated in the mission promoted by the National Council for Pedagogical Innovation in Higher Education (CNIPES) in London (United Kingdom) between 19 and 23 January. in the mission promoted by the National Council for Pedagogical Innovation in Higher Education (CNIPES), focused on the use of educational technologies and artificial intelligence to improve learning environments, student experience and academic practice in higher education.
The initiative included participation in Bett UK 2026, considered one of the world's largest events dedicated to technology and innovation for education, held between 21 and 23 January at ExCeL in London. Thousands of professionals, organisations and educational technology companies were represented at this global conference, with a focus on emerging solutions that combine pedagogy, data and artificial intelligence.
As part of the mission programme, the delegation also visited the Centre for Online and Distance Education (CODE) at the University of London, where they reflected on challenges related to instructional design, distance learning and the role of generative AI in higher education, and City, University of London & St George's, exploring innovative learning environments and the practice of the Academic Development Unit.
These visits were not limited to passive observation: they were opportunities to share practices, engage in dialogue with international academic teams, and reflect on future paths for higher education, with a particular focus on the opportunities and challenges posed by AI in the educational context.
The presence of the Polytechnic of Porto team at this event is part of the institution's participation in the INOV-NORTE Consortium, which was present at Bett UK 2026 as a way of affirming its commitment to pedagogical transformation, international collaboration and the development of innovative solutions for teaching and learning.
This CNIPES mission reinforced the strategic importance of pedagogical innovation as a central element for students' academic success, as well as the need to align educational practices with rapid technological and social changes.
CNIPES, created in 2024 as an advisory body to the Government, brings together representatives from educational innovation consortia, higher education institutions and various academic sectors, with the mission of promoting quality and educational modernisation in Portuguese higher education.