Professor H. Bicha Castelo’s Last Lecture before Retirement
Aula Magna FMUL

Professor Henrique Bicha Castelo’s Last Lecture before Retirement was held on 20 February. It was titled “Looking at a Time without Filigree” and was attended by distinguished academics and guests.

At the ceremony table sat the Rector of the University of Lisbon, Professor António Sampaio da Nóvoa, the Director of the Faculty of Medicine of Lisbon, Professor J. Fernandes e Fernandes, the former President of the Board of the Northern Lisbon Hospital Centre (CHLN), Professor J. Correia da Cunha, the President of the Assembly of the Faculty, Professor J. Lobo Antunes, Dr. António Ruivo, of the Surgery II University Clinic, and the President of the Students’ Association of FMUL, student Miguel Almeida.

There were many friends and acquaintances of Professor H. Bicha Castelo sitting in the audience. The guests sitting at the table said many words of appreciation and recognition, of which we cite a few:

“(…) Given I am his contemporary in terms of training and professional activity, I can attest to the intense and valuable career of my friend Henrique Manuel Bicha Castelo.
We are both part of a generation of physicians who had the privilege of living in times of major challenges and is proud of the contribution it gave to the profound changes that took place in the country in general and in the health field in particular (…)” Professor J. Correia da Cunha (speech)

 
“I start by thanking you for your decision to give this lecture as part of the Surgery Scientific Meeting that you started twelve years ago. Talking about oneself, of your circumstances, of your intellectual and professional heritage, and of the work done is certainly not easy or convenient. (…)

We have shared academic responsibilities, we have not always agreed with each other, but we were able to be friends in our divergence, preserving the fundamental balances and trying to serve the institution.

As President of the Scientific Council, a position for which Professor Bicha Castelo was elected by direct vote, at a time when the academic college made its voice heard and imposed its decisions, he was a robust supporter of reforms and an ally whose institutional sense I am pleased to enhance, as it was exemplary. .(…)” – Professor J. Fernandes e Fernandes (speech)

 
“(…) Dear Professor and my good friend,
Your history and your path honour and distinguish us. For this reason, I award you the Medal of Honour of the University of Lisbon.

And in doing so, I know that words are no longer enough. Or, rather, I know that they turn into silence. (…)

It is this embrace of enormous gratitude that I wish to give you, carrying all the words I know and all the words I have learned as Rector and which I now offer you on behalf of your University and on behalf of our University. (…)” – Professor A. Sampaio da Nóvoa (speech)

During the ceremony there were musical moments played by Faculty students. Professor H. Bicha Castelo was offered a sculpture made by Dr Francisco Goiana, former President of the Students’ Association of FMUL.