• university training at the highest level through a diverse educational offer that includes both graduate and post-graduate training, as well as training not leading to a degree, initial and in-service training for educators, teachers and other personnel and training agents, and socio-educational intervention for all levels of school or non-school education, as well as for all sectors that comprise areas of education, training and lifelong learning;

• conduct systematic and organised research, within a framework of international reference, in formal, non-formal and informal education, including in particular: the values, ideas and educational systems; the historical, socio-cultural and organisational contexts, as well as socio-educational practices; the forms, methods, technologies and communication practices; curriculum and evaluation; learning and human development; individuals and groups, trainees and trainers, covering a multitude of educational, training and lifelong learning processes;

• the transfer, exchange and enhancement of the scientific and educational knowledge through the development of intervention and cooperation projects at regional, national and international levels through educational and in-service training programmes and actions within a more general framework of permanent interaction with society on a mutual appreciation basis;

• scientific, educational and cultural exchange with institutions and national and international organisations through the mobility of students, teachers, researchers and non-teaching staff, the teaching and research partnerships and other international cooperation actions, especially with Portuguese speaking countries;

• promote activities that enable the access and enjoyment of cultural property by all individuals and groups, internal and external to the Institute and the University.

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