The ​IADE Students’ Association is the academic body that represents the entire student community of the institution, with the fundamental goal of ​improving the student experience and supporting students throughout their academic journey. 

With ​more than 30 years of history, the IADE Students’ Association remains firmly committed to its mission of representing, defending and preserving the voice of IADE students. 

The Association has around 40 members across its governing bodies and represents IADE and its entire student body, both within the institution and at ​local and national level. We also act as a bridge between students and internal entities, such as the relevant IADE governing bodies, as well as external organisations whose work is relevant to students. 

As the main representative body of the student community, from one term to the next, we always act in accordance with the​ interests, rights and convictions of our students. We seek to broaden and explore our areas of activity through tools from the various creative fields that define IADE, always contributing towards the academic success and development of our community. 

The Students’ Association is structured across several areas of activity, with the aim of enriching the experience of our IADE students as much as possible and providing them with the ​academic life expected of a higher education student. We strive to cover every aspect of academic life and the student community, proudly embracing every challenge while invoking the spirit of “​Ser IADE”: thinking and creating differently. 

AEIADE is therefore divided into several departments: ​Communication, Recreation and Culture, Training and Social Action, Educational Policy and Pedagogy, and Sports. Each department is coordinated by a Coordinator, who organises, manages and leads its activities and initiatives within the respective area of responsibility. Department coordinators are committed to ensuring the proper functioning and performance of their areas, while always valuing collaboration with their respective teams in order to provide the best possible experience for students. 

In addition, AEIADE is represented by a ​Presidency, which is responsible for ​leading and coordinating the Students’ Association and ensuring active and comprehensive representation of the entire student community. Beyond coordinating AEIADE, the Presidency has the responsibility of giving students a voice, representing IADE and continuously working to improve the experience and academic life of the entire student community.

The ​IADE Students’ Association was founded in ​1995 as a result of a growing desire among students to demand better conditions and ensure that their voices were heard within the University. 

At the time, while IADE was still located at Palácio Quintela on Rua do Alecrim, an “unofficial” group of students was already informally representing their peers. These students were ultimately responsible for organising and introducing IADE into the world of ​student representation and associative life.

In 1995, IADE, then headed by Dr António Ferro, resisted the creation of a Students’ Association. However, the determination of the students prevailed, and the group led by Bruno Pereira, Rui Bravo Proença and Nuno Gomes established the first Association. That same year, they opened the electoral process and stood as an​ independent, non-partisan list, in contrast to their opponents, who were affiliated with political youth organisations. 

That list went on to win the election and officially form the first Executive Board of the IADE Students’ Association. ​Bruno Pereira served as President, alongside Rui Bravo Proença, Nuno Gomes, Ricardo Santos, Rui Barbosa, Francisco Galamba, Nair Valente, Luísa Lente and Miguel Gusmão. 

One of the first official actions of the newly founded IADE Students’ Association was the formal implementation of the​ IADE Academic Attire, inspired by the initiatives of Luís Mileu and other students in 1992. This followed a General Students’ Meeting, during which an academic referendum on the official attire of IADE students was held and approved. 

Over the years, the IADE Students’ Association has experienced many defining moments and has been led by numerous Presidents and Executive Boards: Sara Gonçalves (1997–1999), Rodrigo Saraiva (1999–2001), who would later also become President of the Lisbon Academic Federation, Vasco Ribas (2001–2002), Ricardo Ribeiro (2003–2004), Rui Beirão (2004–2005), Vanessa Ferreira (2005–2006), Maria Soares (2006–2007), Vanda Martins (2007–2008), Helena Rosa (2008–2009), Inês Ribeiro (2009–2010), João Pereira (2010–2012), José D’Orey (2012–2013), Marco Barata (2013–2014), Simão Guerreiro (2014–2015), João Ferreira (2015–2016), João Tito Gouveia (2016–2017), Miguel Neves (2017–2018), Manuel Cabaço (2018–2021), David Nunes (2021–2022), Maria Monteiro (2022–2023), Leonor Almeida (2023–2024), Inês Gonçalves (2024–2025), André Morita (2025), and, to the present day, João Marques, who took office in December 2025. 

In 2015, during Simão Guerreiro’s term and in the year in which the Students’ Association celebrated its 20th anniversary, AEIADE underwent a ​rebranding process to mark the occasion and refresh the Association’s visual identity. The project was developed by the then Vice-President of the Students’ Association, João Tito Gouveia, with the support and expertise of Professor Fernando Oliveira.

Over the years, the institution itself also grew, eventually becoming part of ​Universidade Europeia and expanding significantly into new fields of study. At that time, IADE reached more than 2,700 students, the highest number recorded in its history up to that point. 

In 2019, the institution celebrated the​ 50th anniversary of its foundation, honouring everyone who had contributed to and been part of IADE throughout its history in a ceremony held at Palácio Chiado, IADE’s former headquarters. 

Considering who we have been and the history of AEIADE, we want people to know who we are today and to witness what we will still become. 

With dedication, strategy and passion, the IADE Students’ Association is committed to continuing to make this organisation a reflection of what IADE has always been, and always will be: ​a place of Ideas, People and Creativity.

Because IADE may change, grow and evolve, but the ​I​ADISTA spirit will always remain.