The president of the Portuguese Association of Occupational Therapists (APTO), Elisabete Roldão, yesterday taught a class as part of the new Occupational Therapy degree program at the School of Health Technology of the Polytechnic University of Coimbra (ESTeSC-UPCoimbra). The session covered the history of the profession in Portugal, allowing first-year students to learn about its evolution, identity, and the role of APTO.
The class took place at the campus of the Center for Rehabilitation Medicine of the Central Region-Rovisco Pais, where most of the course's academic activities are held. According to Emanuel Oliveira, coordinator of the degree program, the collaboration between ESTeSC and APTO is crucial for the quality of training and the development of Occupational Therapy in the country.
Oliveira expressed the hope to continue counting on APTO as a partner. The Occupational Therapy degree program at ESTeSC-UPCoimbra commenced in the 2026/27 academic year. The institution also plans to open a Speech Therapy program at the Rovisco Pais Hospital campus in 2028, in addition to non-degree courses such as the postgraduate program in Sensory Integration.
