U.Porto Memory

Rectors of the University of Porto

	Amândio Joaquim Tavares 9th Rector (1945-1961) Portrait by Agostinho Salgado

Biographical synopsis

Amândio Tavares was born in Valpaços on 15 January 1900 and he died in Senhora da Hora on 16 September 1974. After graduating in Medicine from the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Porto, he attained a doctorate in Medicine and Surgery from the same University in 1924. He lectured Anatomical Pathology as a Full Professor. With a strong personality, he was an austere man, with a firm disposition; he was dynamic, created schools, and educated students. He also published several reference papers on his scientific area, mainly on Anatomical Pathology and its clinical application. Amândio Joaquim Tavares valued, from an early age, the internalization of scientific research and his prestige abroad is evident in various ways, such as receiving awards from foreign governments. He had a variety of cultural interests and even integrated the Direction of Porto Symphony Orchestra. He was appointed Rector of the University in 1945, position which he kept until 1961. The long period he spent as Rector was dynamic and very fruitful for the University of Porto, which saw its prestige increase both nationally and internally. With the strategic perspective for the University, he acquired property that was essential for its future expansion, improved its premises, created the Centre for Humanities Studies (which played an important role in the reinstating of the Faculty of Arts), provided services with resources, reorganized the staff, defended the academic jury’s autonomy, tried to solve problems of less prosperous students, launched the University Stadium, promoted the connection of former students to the University, and projected academia in civil society. He also preserved the University’s memory by commissioning oil portraits of all previous Rectors. With this gesture, he greatly increased the value of University’s artistic heritage. When his rectorship came to an end, the Senate unanimously decided to appoint him Honorary Rector of the University.

COSTA, Paula Pinto – Amândio Tavares, in “Os Reitores da Universidade do Porto 1911-2011”. Porto, U.Porto / Fundação Engenheiro António de Almeida, 2011, p.157.