Sesimbra Hosted the Global International Schools Forum & Workshop

From 10 to 13 of May, the BMI/THE Global International Schools Forum & Workshop took place at the Sesimbra Oceanfront Hotel. For the first time, the Forum was held outside of London, with Portugal being selected to host the 2026 edition.

The meeting brought together 107 school counselors and advisors from over 35 countries, from countries as diverse as South Africa, Argentina, Brazil, China, the United Arab Emirates, India, Mozambique, the United Kingdom, Turkey, and Vietnam. In total, 82 higher education institutions from around the world were represented.

The Portuguese participation included representatives from 22 higher education institutions, who held a total of 650 meetings with international advisors, with the aim of presenting the educational offerings and access procedures to higher education in Portugal, opening doors to future partnerships and attracting international talent.

The programme opened with a session hosted by the Study & Research in Portugal team, aimed at international advisors and focused on presenting Portugal as a study destination and its national higher education system.

The event agenda also included information sessions on admission requirements and procedures for Portuguese higher education, as well as professional development seminars. On the evening of 11 May, the official reception and dinner of the Global Counsellor Awards took place, intended to recognize the work of school counselors.

Following the conclusion of the work in Sesimbra, the program continued on 14 and 15 May with visits to several Portuguese higher education institutions. The international advisors had the opportunity to get to know firsthand different institutions, campuses, laboratories and facilities, demonstrating the innovation and quality that characterize the national scientific and academic environment.

Through this event, the Study & Research in Portugal initiative continued its work of promoting the Portuguese higher education system internationally within international student guidance networks, reinforcing its ongoing commitment to international cooperation and promoting student mobility worldwide.

Participating Portuguese Higher Education Institutions:

• Católica Lisbon School of Business and Economics
• Católica Medical School
• Egas Moniz School of Health & Science
• Instituto Piaget
• Lusíada University
• NOVA University of Lisbon
• NOVA Medical School
• Polytechnic Institute of Santarém
• Polytechnic of Porto
• Polytechnic University of Leiria
• Polytechnic University of Tomar
• Santa Maria Health School
• School of Arts and Humanities – University of Lisbon
• Técnico – University of Lisbon
• Universidade Católica Portuguesa
• University of Algarve
• University of Aveiro
• University of Beira Interior
• University of Coimbra
• University of Évora
• University of Porto
• University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro
• Vasco da Gama University School

Access the event photo gallery: IESuperior Portfolio – Global Workshop | Sesimbra