From 18 to 22 May, I had the opportunity to visit University of Beira Interior in Covilha as part of the ERASMUS+ staff mobility programme for academic teachers and researchers. The visit provided an opportunity to become familiar with the educational activities conducted in the field of aviation at the university, to explore its laboratory facilities, and to deliver lectures for students specialising in aerospace engineering. The delivered lectures were entitled:
• Analysis of the Structural Design of Aircraft Turbine Engines
• Thermodynamic Analysis and Performance of Turbojet and Turbofan Engines
The lecture presentations are available at: https://robert-jakubowski.v.prz.edu.pl/en/download/ersmus-covilha-2026-5.html
The visit also created an excellent opportunity to meet academic staff members, establish new contacts, and exchange experiences related to student mobility within the Erasmus programme, as well as educational and scientific activities. I would particularly like to emphasise the very warm welcome extended by the staff of the Department of Aerospace Sciences Proffesors: Jorge Silva, Francisco Brojo, and Pedro Gamboa, who made every effort to provide detailed information about the university, its history, and its educational and research activities.
Meetings with students were an opportunity to present Rzeszów University of Technology as an attractive destination for Erasmus studies, particularly because it is one of the few universities offering courses related to aviation. It was also possible to discuss the activities of student scientific societies, including a student team involved in the design of aircraft models competing in payload-carrying competitions. The students had previously had the opportunity to meet students from Rzeszów University of Technology participating in similar competitions.
The visit was also an opportunity to discover some of Portugal, a country characterised by the diversity of its regions — from well-known Atlantic coastal cities such as Lisbon and Porto to the mountain town of Covilhã. From this mountain town, a regular bus service provides direct access to Torre, the highest peak in mainland Portugal, rising to an altitude of nearly 2,000 metres. The history of Covilhã is closely connected with cotton production. The city was once home to a highly developed textile industry, whose history is presented in the local museum, currently managed by the university. Although the city itself is not large, it is exceptionally charming. The old part of the town has preserved its historical street layout and architecture, captivating visitors with its narrow, winding streets and distinctive buildings. Many walls are decorated with interesting murals depicting various scenes, including themes related to the university and everyday life in the city.
More photos are available in the photo gallery.
