First Edition of UCP4MENTOR Mentor Training Completed

Universidade Católica Portuguesa marks the completion of the first edition of the UCP4MENTOR training for student mentors, part of the UCP4SUCCESS project, strengthening the skills essential to the responsible practice of peer mentoring.

The result of collaborative work across Católica’s different locations, this training programme was built in the light of the latest scientific research and of national and international good practices from other Higher Education institutions.

The UCP4MENTOR training represents an innovative step for peer mentoring groups, offering mentors a training programme designed to respond to the complex challenges of the transition to Higher Education and to develop skills that promote responsible and effective support among peers. Structured in five modules, with a total of nine hours of training, the programme was delivered in b-learning format, combining one in-person session with four remote sessions that simultaneously brought together mentors from the four campuses. The training gave participants official certification for the practice of mentoring.

This first edition involved around 100 mentors and seven trainers, reinforcing the collaborative spirit between the various peer mentoring groups, AEFEP, Bright UP, CPBS, MENTORIZATE and SOS Caloiro.

“The UCP4MENTOR training gave me concrete skills not only as a mentor, but also for my personal and professional life. Each session was well planned, with clear objectives and run in an interactive way that made me think. It was an opportunity to learn from different contributors and from other students, and to get to know Universidade Católica’s national community of mentors. The sessions made me feel part of a team, and as well as learning a huge amount, I had fun!” Sarah Reader, MENTORIZATE.

This training will lead to an asynchronous course on the I’m a UCP Student portal, ensuring that future mentors have access to a structured, consistent and sustainable resource over the years, reinforcing the continuity and quality of the work carried out in peer mentoring.

“Taking part in the UCP4MENTOR training was an opportunity for learning and for improving both academic and social skills. This training gave me the opportunity to learn not only about managing anxiety, time and study, but also to develop the ability to help someone younger who needs help in these areas. This promotion and building of mutual help fits perfectly with the spirit of UCP!” Ana Protásio, Bright Up.