The Folium Program is not just another academic project at the Faculty of Biotechnology of Universidade Católica Portuguesa. It is a living bridge between those who have already walked the path and those who are just starting out. A mentoring program led by professionals that transforms the university experience into something more human, practical, and future-oriented.
The name “Folium” comes from Latin and evokes the leaves of a book or a tree, symbols of connection and continuity. The program brings together alumni (former students with an established professional identity) and current students, creating a unique intergenerational bond.
This is not about extra classes or therapy. It is individual, personalized mentoring, tailored to each student’s pace. The focus is simple: to help students reflect on what truly drives them, enabling them to build their own “puzzle of success” and prepare for the job market with confidence.
The program is open to 1st-, 2nd-, and 3rd-year undergraduate students in Bioengineering, Microbiology, Nutrition Sciences, and Liberal Sciences (Science and Scoiety), as well as 4th-year Nutrition Sciences students and 1st-year master’s students.
The important role of alumni
When it comes to building a solid career in Biotechnology, few things are as valuable as advice from those who have already walked the path. Sandra Moura, an alumna of the Faculty of Biotechnology and a mentor in the Folium Program, is one such inspiring example.
What motivated you to participate in the Folium program as an alumna and what impact has this experience had?
On the one hand, it is an opportunity to “give back” to the Faculty of Biotechnology, which played a decisive role in shaping me as a professional. This school contributed to defining my path and building a set of values that still guide my professional activity today, such as passion for innovation, critical thinking, rigor and an interest in learning new and diverse topics. On the other hand, it is the opportunity to interact closely with current students.
And the experience has been extremely rewarding. Each mentee has identified different needs and very different ways of working, which is incredibly enriching. I find myself broadening my perspective and learning new approaches and ways to better connect with them.
What types of challenges or questions are most common among mentees and how do you guide them in defining their academic and professional paths?
I’ve been asked a wide variety of questions, from suggestions of places to do internships, to advice on improving specific parts of a project developed within a course. On my part, I try to build a relationship with the mentees so they feel completely comfortable asking any question that arises in their day-to-day student life and/or regarding the decisions they need to make in their academic journey.
I do not try (at all) to map out or determine their path for them, but rather to equip them with information that can help them make more informed and purposeful decisions. A professional path is built along the way, so it is very important to seek experiences in different enriching contexts.
In your perspective, what skills are essential today for those who want to build a career in biotechnology?
In today’s context, biotechnology is explicitly identified as one of the priority sectors among the technologies considered strategic for Europe. There are many new investments being developed in this area. Depending on whether they prefer Industry or Research, they should seek to start their career in a recognized organization in the field. As their career develops, in terms of essential skills, and beyond mastery of the technical field itself, it is important to be creative and critical when seeking more optimized and cost-efficient solutions.
If you could go back to when you were a student, what kind of guidance would you have liked to receive, and what do you now try to pass on to mentees?
Without a doubt, I would have liked more opportunities, earlier on, to get to know different organizational realities. In my 5th year, I had the opportunity to complete my curricular internship in the R&D laboratories of Unilever (UK). I loved it and felt that I grew enormously, both as a professional and as a person. Returning to the question, I would seek to promote more opportunities that allow students to experience (“from the inside”) different professional contexts. Like through short-term internships, for example.