History
The Instituto Politécnico de Tomar (IPT) was established in 1973, as set out in Decree-Law 402/73 of 11 August, by the then Minister of Education and Science, Veiga Simão. Following the revolution in 1974, the establishment process did not proceed.
In 1979, the Escola Superior de Tecnologia de Tomar (ESTT) was established as a non?integrated institution by the then Minister of Education, Luís Veiga da Cunha. Its founding committee was only appointed in October 1982 by the then minister Fraústo da Silva, and was composed of Pacheco de Amorim as Chair and Júlio Dias das Neves and Maria do Rosário Baeta Neves as members. The first academic programmes were launched in 1986 in facilities on Avenida Cândido Madureira in Tomar.
Portuguese higher education policy provided that only one polytechnic could be established per district; consequently, in 1985, pursuant to Decree?Law No. 46/85 of 22 November, ESTT was incorporated into the Polytechnic of Santarém (IPS). In 1994, pursuant to Decree?Law No. 304/94 of 19 December, its name was changed to Escola Superior de Tecnologia e Gestão de Tomar (ESTGT).
In 1986 the first undergraduate degrees were launched: Business Administration (coordinated by José Ribeiro Mendes), Civil Engineering (coordinated by António Paiva) and Pulp and Paper Technology (coordinated by Rui Sant’Ovaia), with a total of approximately 90 students.
In 1987, the Graphic Arts programme was introduced (coordinated by António Guilhermino Pires) and, in 1988, the Advanced Studies programme in Art, Archaeology and Conservation and Restoration (coordinated by Luiz Oosterbeek).
In 1996, pursuant to Decree?Law No. 96/96 of 17 July, the then Minister of Education and Science, Eduardo Marçal Grilo, established the Instituto Politécnico de Tomar (IPT), comprising the Escola Superior de Gestão (ESGT) and the Escola Superior de Tecnologia (ESTT), both in Tomar and already located at the new campus, with effect from 1 January 1997. Pacheco de Amorim was appointed President of IPT and designated as his advisors José Faria Paixão, José Ribeiro Mendes, who also served as Director of the Escola Superior de Gestão, and Rui Sant’Ovaia, who also served as Director of the Escola Superior de Tecnologia.
In 1999, pursuant to Decree?Law No. 264/99 of 14 July, the Escola Superior de Tecnologia de Abrantes (ESTA) was established within IPT, under the leadership of Eugénio Pina de Almeida.
The following individuals also formed part of the ESGT management team to assist with the management and organisation of the School: Manuel Coelho da Silva in 2000 and Maria do Rosário Baeta Neves, Francisco Carvalho and Conceição Fortunato in 2001. In 2002, Manuel Chantre was appointed Director of ESGT.
Following the approval of the statutes of IPT and its Schools, Conceição Fortunato assumed the role of Director of ESGT and Luís Merca that of Director of ESTT, both elected by their peers.
In 2005, António Pires da Silva was elected President. Eugénio Pina de Almeida assumed the position of Vice?President. Luís Merca was elected to the management of ESTT and Conceição Fortunato to that of ESGT. Miguel Pinto dos Santos was appointed to ESTA, which was still in its establishment phase.
Following the Legal Framework for Higher Education Institutions (RJIES) of 2007, the Instituto Politécnico de Tomar revised itsStatutes, approved in February 2009, and established the Conselho Geral.
In 2010, Eugénio Pina de Almeida was elected President. Miguel Pinto dos Santos was appointed to the post of Vice-President. João Coroado was appointed Director of ESTT, Conceição Fortunato Director of ESGT, and Luís Ferreira Director of ESTA.
In 2014, Eugénio Pina de Almeida was re?elected President, with João Coroado and Miguel Pinto dos Santos appointed as Vice?Presidents. Francisco Carvalho was appointed Director of ESGT, Sofia Mota of ESTA, and João Patrício of ESTT.
In 2019, João Coroado was elected President of the IPT and Nuno Madeira was appointed Vice?President. Three Pro-Presidents were appointed: Rita Anastácio for Outreach and External Relations; Natércia Santos for Quality and Sustainability; and José Farinha for Management Accounting.
Francisco Carvalho was appointed Director of ESGT, Sofia Mota of ESTA, and João Patrício of ESTT.
In 2023, João Coroado was re-elected President of the IPT and Nuno Madeira and Natércia Santos were appointed Vice?Presidents. The roles of Pro?President were assigned as follows: Rita Anastácio for Outreach and Institutional Image, João Patrício for Information Security, Integration and Data Analysis, and Célio Marques for Internationalisation and Pedagogical Innovation. Henrique Pinho was appointed Director of ESGT, Olinda Sequeira of ESTA, and Cecília Baptista of ESTT.
Nuno Madeira remained in office until December 2024 when he passed away.
