António Horta Osório, an alumnus of CATÓLICA-LISBON, made the donation to his alma mater on behalf of himself, his wife Ana, and their children Maria, Margarida and Pedro.
Horta Osório graduated in Management from CATÓLICA-LISBON in 1986. He also taught at CATÓLICA-LISBON for over a decade and is widely regarded as the most successful Portuguese Manager, having enjoyed a highly successful global career in the financial sector. In 2022, he became the first alumnus to be awarded an Honoris Causa Doctorate by the University.
This family donation totaling €1.5 million is the result of their strong and long-standing connection to CATÓLICA-LISBON, to which they have deep affection and gratitude. The donation includes an auditorium on the new campus named after Ana and António Horta Osório, as well as the establishment of a Chair in Mental Health and an annual award for the best student on the Management Undergraduate degree program.
António Horta Osório says, "I began my academic and professional career at Universidade Católica, where I formed friendships and acquired knowledge that have stayed with me throughout my life. This donation, made with my family and in response to the challenge set by the Rector, Isabel Capeloa Gil — whom I greatly respect and trust — is my way of giving back and contributing to the continued education of future generations with the same excellence, values, and university spirit that had such a profound influence on me.”
Isabel Capeloa Gil, the Rector of Universidade Católica, highlights the importance of this donation for consolidating Católica's mission: 'This gesture by the Horta Osório family is a decisive contribution to the sustainable and innovative growth of our University, reinforcing UCP's commitment to training responsible leaders who have a positive impact on society,' she emphasizes.
Filipe Santos, Dean of the Católica Lisbon School of Business & Economics, highlights the School's legacy of talent among its graduates: 'Since its establishment, CATÓLICA-LISBON has nurtured generations of gifted managers who are socially responsible individuals dedicated to creating value for society. António Horta Osório is a prime example of this, having had a positive impact on the creation and consolidation of some of the largest banks in Portugal, Spain and the United Kingdom. He is also a role model for the way he has promoted mental health awareness. His generosity will enable CATÓLICA-LISBON to strengthen its position as a leading institution for attracting talent and developing business leaders in Portugal and worldwide."