Guests were welcomed at Sociedade Ginástica de Novo Hamburgo

The social hall of Sociedade Ginástica de Novo Hamburgo was full last Friday night, June 28th, when it hosted the commemorative dinner for the 50 years of history and innovation of Associação Pró-Ensino Superior em Novo Hamburgo (Aspeur) and of Feevale University. At the entrance, the guests were welcomed by the rector Cleber Prodanov, by the current president of Aspeur, Roberto Cardoso, and by the former president Francisco Stürmer.

The master of ceremonies André Haar, who has studied at Feevale talked a bit about the history of the University and its sponsor, Aspeur, from its foundation until today, when the Institution stands out in the regional, national and international scenario. Then, Aspeur's president, Roberto Cardoso, welcomed the guests.

Pertii Puusaari, Heidi Ahokallio-Leppälä and Rui Filipe Pinto Pedrosa, representatives of two important international partners, Häme University of Applied Science (Hamk), Finland, and Instituto Politécnico de Leria (IPL), Portugal, spoke about the relationship of their institutions with Feevale.

The congressman Lucas Redecker, the state representative Issur Koch, the senator Lasier Martins, the secretary of state for Education, Luís Lamb, the mayor of Novo Hamburgo, Fátima Daudt; and rector Cleber Prodanov also spoke at the ceremony.

A remarkable moment was when former Aspeur presidents were called for a photographic record with President Roberto Cardoso: Heinz Drews (1979 to 1981), Alex Jung (1981 to 1985), Glauco Engel (1985 to 1987), Renato Kunst 1989 to 1991), Paulo Kopschina (1991 to 1993), Francisco Stürmer (1995 to 2005), Argemi Machado de Oliveira (2005 to 2013) and Luiz Ricardo Bohrer (2013 to 2018).

Before dinner, there was a toast with sparkling wine, celebrating the anniversary of Aspeur / Feevale. The guests also had the opportunity to enjoy the exhibition Photography and Memory - 50 years of Aspeur / Feevale. At the end of the ceremony, the book Aspeur/Feevale: 50 anos de uma trajetória comunitária, written by the professors Claudia Schemes and Cristina Ennes was given to guests.

What they said:

We reaffirm our commitment to innovation, entrepreneurship and excellence and, from the experience, achievements and learning of the last five decades, we want to go ahead in the promotion of growth through knowledge, aiming at building a prosperous and full of achievements future. After 50 years, we can proudly say that the Feevale University is recognized as a community, regional and innovative institution. We feel at this moment the same emotion as those who, in 1969, took the first steps towards the creation of a higher education institution in Novo Hamburgo.

Roberto Cardoso, president of Aspeur

I greet all the counselors of Aspeur, the current ones and the founders who, back then, thought of an institution that was innovative and, at the same time, left its mark on the roots of our communities. It is important to talk about the past; who does not know, does not speak, does not remember, has no future. I want to leave a thanking message to this glorious past, but also look to the future ahead. Perhaps the future is not a material, perhaps the future is not physical works, but the spirit that we can leave to the next generations; the innovative, enterprising, restless spirit of transformation of society. This is the inheritance that Feevale will leave to the future. And let's move on, building a twenty-first-century university for people of the 21st century.

Cleber Prodanov, rector of Feevale University

I commend Feevale for its 50 years of success and social transformation in this region and in this country, in an impact relationship that goes beyond borders. Higher education institutions of the 21st century must have a dimension of teaching and valuing knowledge, generating impact in society. Today we have mobility of students, teachers, double degree courses and projects developed in partnership, such as the campaign Mil Brinquedos, Mil Sorrisos. One can only build such solid and transversal relationships when we trust one in other. IPL and Feevale has been having a personal and institutional relation of trust for many years and that is the basis for projects to happen. We have the same values and only with an international collaborative network we can embrace and overcome the challenges of humanity.

Rui Filipe Pinto Pedrosa, presidente of Instituto Politécnico de Leiria (IPL)

When we were invited to honor Feevale we did not think twice. The cooperation between Feevale University and Hamk has been happening for a long time. We have a very expressive trajectory of advancing and developing together. In this journey, beyond knowledge, trust, friendship and other values are being developed. Our common goals are to be useful and to work together for our communities and society in general. At Hamk, we say we want to be the university that most benefits Finland. Being at Feevale, we identify common issues and we are trying to accomplish every task, which makes our work together even better.

Pertii Puusaari, rector of Häme University of Applied Science (Hamk), from Finland

When we thought of establishing a strategic alliance, the first thing we did was talking to Feevale. We are inspired to think beyond traditional education because of youth, so this alliance is part of that motivation to pursue education beyond traditional one. We are learning together and making things happen. Our alliance is true and we are working hard.

Heidi Ahokallio-Leppälä, director of Human Resources and Development at Hamk