The IEEE Portugal Section successfully concluded one of its most significant student-focused initiatives of the year: the Leadership Camp 2025. This edition brought a renewed spirit of collaboration, innovation, and knowledge sharing as it unfolded across two host cities — Coimbra and Aveiro — on October 18th and 19th. The event was jointly organized by the University of Coimbra Student Branch and the University of Aveiro Student Branch, with essential support from the IEEE Portugal Students Team.

Designed as a dynamic platform for leadership development, the Leadership Camp continued its mission to empower IEEE student volunteers by equipping them with essential organizational, communication, and management skills. Participants engaged in hands-on sessions that strengthened their ability to lead teams, coordinate activities, and foster a more impactful presence within their universities. The camp also served as a valuable opportunity to build strong connections among peers from across the country.

The 2025 edition brought together Student Branches from the Universidade de Aveiro, Universidade de Coimbra, Universidade do Minho, Universidade do Porto, Instituto Superior Técnico, and the Instituto Politécnico de Leiria, promoting cross-branch collaboration, the exchange of best practices, and a deeper appreciation of IEEE’s global mission.

Day 1 – Coimbra (18 October)

The program in Coimbra opened with a comprehensive SB Board IEEE On-boarding, welcoming newly elected student leaders and offering them a solid introduction to IEEE structures, tools, and resources. Participants then explored a Crash Course on IEEE SBs, followed by hands-on sessions on SB management, vTools reporting, and recruitment strategies — all crucial elements for strengthening and sustaining an effective Student Branch.

A dedicated module on Design, Media Content, and IEEE Branding allowed attendees to deepen their understanding of communication best practices, ensuring that their events and initiatives reach their audiences with clarity and professionalism. The day also included a moment of celebration for IEEE Day, reinforcing the shared identity and values that unite IEEE members worldwide.

Day 2 – Aveiro (19 October)

The second day in Aveiro continued the momentum with a highly engaging roundtable discussion led by Professor Pedro Fonseca, where participants exchanged perspectives on leadership challenges, branch management, and innovative strategies for motivating and organizing student teams.

The event concluded with a forward-looking session by the IEEE Portugal Young Professionals, who delivered an insightful presentation on IEEE Careers & Opportunities. Their contribution offered participants a broader vision of how active involvement in IEEE can shape their professional journeys in engineering, technology, research, and industry.