Founded in 1988, Universidade Aberta (UAb) is the single public university dedicated exclusively to distance learning in Portugal. As a pioneer in online education, it employs modern technologies and innovative teaching methods to provide flexible, high-quality education beyond geographical and physical barriers. As a key institution within the Lusophony space, it fosters the dissemination of Portuguese language and culture, connecting Portuguese-speaking communities worldwide.
At EXPO 2025, UAb introduces O.P.E.N., an umbrella meta-project that highlights our research areas in sustainability and inclusion, aligned with our commitment to shape the future of learning. It is based on four fundamental principles:
ONLINE: Learning without borders.
Education should be accessible to everyone, anywhere. Whether in Tokyo, Lisbon, or a remote village, UAb’s virtual campus ensures that students and professionals can engage in interactive, flexible, and high-quality digital learning. This approach is also transforming education in unconventional spaces. The EducOnline@pris Digital Campus is a groundbreaking project that provides individuals serving sentences access to higher education through a secure, limited internet environment. Developed in partnership with the Portuguese Directorate-General for Reintegration and Prison Services, this initiative reaffirms UAb’s belief that knowledge should have no walls, only opportunities.
Digital frontiers are also being expanded through REVEALING, an innovative project that explored Virtual Reality Learning Environments (VRLE). By leveraging VRChat, a multiplayer online social VR platform, students and instructors were able to engage in immersive, 3D learning experiences, enhancing online education with real-time interaction and simulation-based training. This approach bridged the gap between traditional and distance learning, making virtual classrooms as engaging and effective as in-person settings.
PARTNERSHIPS: Because great minds work better together.
Collaboration is at the heart of innovation. UAb is an active member of multiple international networks and a founding member of the Open European University, a consortium dedicated to address global challenges through academic cooperation within Europe. UAb’s commitment to fostering interdisciplinary knowledge is also reflected in ARDES, an Erasmus+ funded project designed to bridge the gap between Art, Design, and Sustainability. This modular and adaptable short learning program was co-created by artists, designers, and environmentalists, integrating theoretical insights on climate change, artistic activism, and digital tools. Available online or face-to-face, ARDES offers a creative, flexible approach to sustainability education – tested successfully at Bachelor’s, Master’s, and PhD levels.
EXCELLENCE: Pioneering research with sustainability at its core.
UAb leads innovative research in AI, clean energy, climate change, and digital transformation.
One of our flagship projects, EUSTEPs (Enhancing Universities’ Sustainability TEaching and Practices through ecological footprint), empowers universities to measure and reduce their environmental impact. By integrating sustainability across curricula and campus operations, EUSTEPs fosters a culture of eco-conscious citizens and greener institutions, ensuring that future generations actively contribute to a more sustainable world.
This commitment extends to cultural and social sustainability through the INCLUSIVE MEMORY project. Based on the idea that museums are powerful spaces for education, well-being, and social integration, this initiative redefines how universities and cultural institutions interact. By developing new teaching methodologies, digital tools, and participatory learning experiences, INCLUSIVE MEMORY enhances social inclusion and mental health. It positions museums as dynamic learning spaces, reinforcing their role in cultural integration and lifelong education.
NEVER STOP LEARNING: Because knowledge has no finish line.
Education is a continuous process, evolving with society’s needs. To address this idea, UAb offers undergraduate, postgraduate, and lifelong learning programs that remain accessible, relevant, and forward-thinking. Whether through innovative virtual reality classrooms, sustainability education, or inclusive learning environments, we empower individuals to grow, adapt, and shape the future.
Within EXPO 2025 in Osaka, UAb reaffirms its mission of making education open, inclusive, and borderless. Through O.P.E.N., we invite the world to explore new possibilities in inclusive distance learning, sustainable global collaboration, and knowledge sharing. Join us in shaping the future of education – because learning should have no limits.
Communication and International Relations Office: gcri@uab.pt
