Professor João Cura Mariano receives Prize for Pedagogical Excellence Professor Doutor Diogo Freitas do Amaral

Professor João Cura Mariano was the winner of the fourth edition of the Professor Doctor Diogo Freitas do Amaral Pedagogical Excellence Award 2024, awarded by NOVA School of Law.

As pointed out by the President of the Pedagogical Council and Professor Rita Calçada Pires – whose words were read at the event by Leonor Marcos, the student representative on the Pedagogical Council – this award is inspired by the pedagogical concerns of our founder and “celebrates the transformative impact that a teacher can have on the lives of their students, especially in the way they make law, such a demanding field, accessible and interesting through their pedagogical and human methods“.

This year, the Pedagogical Council unanimously decided to award the prize to Professor João Cura Mariano, “a master of his subjects who goes beyond theoretical knowledge” and “opens up real learning paths, using a pedagogical method that involves, challenges and inspires students, always with a closeness and empathy that can’t be taught – it can be felt“, said Rita Calçada Pires.

Professor João Cura Mariano taught at our faculty until last year, when he ended his collaboration with NOVA School of Law to dedicate himself to the presidency of the Supreme Court of Justice. His absence is felt by everyone, especially by our students, because, to quote Rita Calçada Pires, the professor “transforms the experience of learning into real magic, to the point that he is known among the students as our ‘magician’.”

“Over the years, his classes have become moments of true joy, where knowledge and humanity go hand in hand,” the teacher concludes: “Every class that has had the good fortune to study with him is a witness to the profound impact he leaves behind”.

The award was presented by Domingos Amaral, son of our founder and first director, Professor Diogo Freitas do Amaral.