Universidade Aberta
EN-10: Community Partnerships

Since July 2010, the Open University (UAb) has been operating in Cantanhede the Local Learning Center (CLA), offering undergraduate, master's and doctoral courses, as well as lifelong training programs and workshops, seminars and conferences in close collaboration with local entities. CLA was created in accordance with the protocol signed with the City Council, under which the local authority cedes the facilities, equipment and means of maintenance, and it is the responsibility of the higher education institution to ensure the planned activities through a local coordinator, who has such as performing academic actions, promoting local and regional partnerships, and identifying target audiences, among others. The Cantanhede Local Learning Center is part of the central library / documentation center. It also covers the municipalities of Águeda, Anadia, Figueira da Foz, Mealhada, Mira, Montemor-O-Velho, Mortágua, Oliveira do Bairro, Penacova, Soure and Vagos. of the Open University, in order to allow access to an online bookstore service to support them. It also has an examination room with capacity for 30 seats, a computer room and an event space. http://www.cm-cantanhede.pt/mcsite/Content/?MID=1&ID=3080#.WwviB0gvzIU

The Local Learning Centers are part of the Open University's decentralized services network and result from the creation of partnerships between the University and civil society. Thus, Ansião's CLA is the result of a protocol signed in August 2017 with Ansião City Council and operates at the Ansião Business Center in Chão de Couce. In addition to the residents of the municipality of Ansião, the new CLA will also be the place of examination for students residing in the municipalities of Sertã, Pedrógão Grande (formerly CLA Abrantes), Oleiros (formerly CLA Abrantes), Figueiró dos Vinhos; Alvaiázere, Pombal (formerly CLA Porto de Mós), Penela, Castanheira de Pera and Pampilhosa da Serra. Their objectives are: To develop a proximity intervention, in cultural and educational terms, framed in the local dynamics and according to the specificities of the respective area of ​​influence; Provide logistical support to students residing in their respective area of ​​intervention, including the organization of the in-person assessment process; Publicize the educational offer of the Open University and the specificity of its teaching-learning system. Intending to favor the access of broad sectors of the population to the Information and Knowledge Society, its action privileges the acquisition of skills in the use of Digital Technologies, as well as the development of other competences - academic, professional, cultural and civic - in different areas. In this sense, they stimulate educational activities of a formal, non-formal and informal scope, in order to offer learning opportunities to populations that, due to geographical circumstances, are particularly susceptible to exclusion. http://www.cm-ansiao.pt/PT/municipes-areas-de-actividade/educacao/centro-local-de-aprendizagem-da-universidade-aberta

The Montijo Local Learning Center of the Open University (CLA Montijo) is in operation at Quinta do Saldanha. CLA Montijo is the result of a partnership between the Chamber and the Open University. The Local Learning Centers are structures of the Open University that develop actions in the field of lifelong learning. With a view to identifying and meeting the specific training needs of the regions where they are inserted, they favor access to the information and knowledge society and favor the acquisition of skills related to digital technologies. CLA Montijo is a place of support for students of the Open University.  In addition to publicizing the formal pedagogical offer of the Open University, CLA Montijo provides logistical and instrumental support to students residing in the municipalities in its area of ​​coverage. It is also responsible for the organization and coordination of the students' face-to-face assessment process. CLA Montijo provides support to Open University students residing in the counties of Montijo, Alcochete, Almada, Barreiro, Moita, Palmela, Seixal, Sesimbra and Setúbal. https://www.mun-montijo.pt/pages/640

Local Learning Centers are centers dedicated to the promotion of activities guided by the principles of Lifelong Learning. They result from the creation of partnerships between the Open University and civil society, seeking to develop an intervention in cultural and educational terms, framed in the local dynamics and according to the specificities of their respective area of ​​influence. Intending to favor the access of broad sectors of the population to the Information and Knowledge Society, its action privileges the acquisition of skills in the use of Digital Technologies, as well as the development of other competences - academic, professional, cultural and civic - in different areas. In this sense, they stimulate educational activities of a formal, non-formal and informal scope, in order to offer learning opportunities to populations that, due to geographical circumstances, are particularly susceptible to exclusion. It is also the responsibility of the Local Learning Centers to provide logistical and instrumental support to students residing in their respective areas of intervention, as well as the responsibility for coordinating and organizing the face-to-face assessment process. The dissemination of the educational offer of the Open University and the specificity of its teaching-learning system is part of the functions assigned to the Local Learning Centers. There are CLA in Abrantes, Ansião, Cantanhede, Coruche, Grândola, Mêda, Montijo, Peso da Régua, Ponte de Lima, Porto de Mós, Praia, da Vitória, Reguengos de Monsaraz, Riberia Grande, Sabugal, S. João da Madeira e Silves.