Port Rector denounces pressures to accept illegal entrances in medicine. Minister of Education

The rector of the University of Porto denounced that he received pressures from several people to leave the medical school 30 candidates who had not obtained the minimum classification in the test required in the special access course.

According to today’s newspaper, rector António Sousa Pereira says he received pressures from several people “influential and with access to power”Without wanting to advance names.

The subject, writes Expresso, arrived at the Minister of Education, who called the Rector to express availability to Create extraordinary vacancies so that these students (who had not obtained the minimum classification in the test required in the special access competition for graduates in other areas) took place at the medical school.

“The minister would like this to be done, but I told him, ‘I don’t do it. I comply with the law. If the Minister understands that it must be otherwise, give me the order and I execute it, ‘”the rector told Expresso.

The Minister of Education, Science and Innovation, Fernando Alexandre, confirmed to the newspaper the existence of the conversation, referring that “during the call was expressed the availability for the creation of supranumerary vacancies, provided that, for this purpose, there was a legal basis.”

According to Expresso, there are 30 students who ran for the special access contest for licenses, but obtained less than 14 values In the knowledge test required in the selection process, which is automatically a reason for exclusion, according to the contest rules, published in “Diário da República”.

As part of this Special Competition, the University of Porto Medical School opened, for the school year 2025/26, 37 vacancies, which competed about 50 candidates.

Of these 50 candidates, Only seven had 14 or more values In the test, held in May, being therefore able to enter.

However, he writes Expresso, after the results of the exam, the contest selection committee, consisting of six faculty teachers, ‘decided to propose the exceptional application’ of a minimum grade of 10 valuesinstead of the 14 established in the regulation, which allowed the entry to 30 more students. ”

“And, without informing the rector of UP, whom it is up to the exclusive competence to approve the definitive results, notified these candidates that they had entered the course,” says the newspaper.

The rector “was only aware several days later, on July 7, and refused to approve the list of placed because he considered that the entry of those candidates It was illegal in the light of the regulation”.

Following the decision, they were admitted only the seven who had more than 14 values, with the remaining 30 vacancies initially opened in this contingent reversed to the National Competition for Access to Higher Education, as stipulated by the law.

Under the decision, the candidates protested, including with Parliament and, according to the Express, “moved influences that were felt with the dean.”

The newspaper says that in the meantime, the director of the Medical School, Altamiro da Costa Pereira, argued that 30 extraordinary vacancies could be opened to allow their entry into the course, even if they had not obtained the minimum grade required.

“In disagreement with this proposal, the dean asked the director general of higher education, who gave reason to the rectory”According to the Express.

Minister denies pressures

The Minister of Education, Science and Innovation refused to have pressed the Rector of the University of Porto.

“The Minister of Education, Science and Innovation Never pressed at all The rector to admit those candidates irregularly, nor did he suggest any solution that violated the legal framework in force. It is therefore false to the accusation of the rector of the University of Porto, ”according to a statement issued today by the ministry.

The Ministry of Education clarifies that the Special Competition for Access to the Integrated Master in Medicine by Holders of Licensed Degree is from exclusive competence of the institutionsin this case, from the University of Porto and its medical school, which appoint a selection committee.

Fernando Alexandre’s office says that, according to the general inspection of education and science, “this selection committee, in non-compliance with the regulation approved by the institution itself, changed the minimum grade from 14 to 10 values In the test test, which allowed the admission of 30 more candidates, in addition to the seven that met the requirement of 14 values ​​”.

In the note it is said that “the list of 37 candidates admitted was published by the institution, with indication of the period of enrollment, before the approval of the list by the rector of the University of Porto, generating in the candidates for false expectation that they had been admitted”.

According to the ministry, the dean decided not to approve those results, for violation of the competition regulation, with approved a new list, with the admission of the seven candidates who complied with the regulation: requirement of the minimum grade of 14 values ​​in the knowledge test.

The Ministry also clarifies that the rector reported to the Directorate-General for Higher Education (DGES) the transfer of the 30 vacancies not filled to the National Access Competition, as provided for in the legislation.

According to the note, the minister was aware of the situation through communication of excluded candidates and a written suggestion of the Director of the University of Porto School of Medicine for the creation of 30 supranumerary vacancies.

The minister confirms that he spoke with the rector on the phone, having been manifested during the so -called “availability for the creation of 30 supranumerary vacancies, provided that, for that purpose, there was a legal basiswhich deserved the rector’s agreement. ”

“During the call, it was also suggested by the Minister of Education, Science and Innovation to the rector to open an internal process to investigate the person responsible for the publication From the list of students admitted without their approval by the dean, with the appropriate consequences, ”according to the statement.

Fernando Alexandre’s office also clarifies in the note that “with the objective of evaluating the legal basis for the creation of these supernumerary vacancies, a opinion was requested by the Ministry of the General Inspection of Education and Science (IGEC), given that the disclosure of the list of admitted candidates generated a legitimate expectation with the candidates.

“In its opinion, IGEC concluded by legal inadmissibility of the creation of supranumerary vacancies, due to the absence of a legal basis for such a solution, as well as the risk of violation of the principles of legality, equality and legal certainty ”, according to the Ministry.

In the statement, it is also referred to that a process of provision was opened at IGEC, after an exposure subscribed by a set of candidates, which is underway.