United Lisbon (ULIS) welcomes Mayor of Lisbon Carlos Moedas

United Lisbon International School (ULIS), part of the Dukes Education Group, has officially inaugurated the third phase of its campus at Edu Hub Lisbon, following a ceremony held last Friday (16 January) attended by the Mayor of Lisbon, Carlos Moedas. The inauguration marks a significant milestone in the school’s continued growth — and in the development of one of Lisbon’s most ambitious education ecosystems at Edu Hub Lisbon.

The newly delivered phase adds 3,600 square metres of specialist facilities, the new Centre for the Performing Arts and Sports - including a 300-seat auditorium, indoor multipurpose sports hall, rooftop football pitch, and dedicated dance studio. Designed to elevate both participation and performance, the new spaces expand ULIS’s creative and sporting provision and reinforce the school’s commitment to wellbeing, creativity and experiential learning through a strong programme of arts, sport and extracurricular opportunities.

During the ceremony, Mayor Carlos Moedas spoke about the strength of diversity in Lisbon and the potential of young people and reflected on the impact of long-term investment in education and innovation.

Founded in 2020 and inaugurated by Lisbon Mayor Carlos Moedas, the school has grown into a thriving international community, with approximately 650 students enrolled in the 2025–26 academic year, representing over 53nationalities across ages 3–18. “ULIS stands as a flagship example of international education in Lisbon; diverse in its global outlook, and united by a shared commitment to excellence, community and positive impact,” says Founder and board member of ULIS, Chitra Stern.

The campus was designed by partner architect Eduardo Capinha Lopes, whose work on the project was recognised with a World Architecture Festival award (WAF) for Lisbon at the time of the school’s founding. The design reflects a long-term vision for education that integrates learning, movement and community within an urban setting.

This third phase follows the successful opening of the second stage of development in September 2024, which delivered a 4,800 square metre academic wing with additional classrooms, laboratories and student lounges, enabling the expansion of the senior school. The original phase of the campus comprised 23,000 square metres, including landscaped outdoor learning areas, underground arrival spaces and parking.

Academically, ULIS is a fully authorised IB World School, offering the IB Diploma Programme (DP). In 2025, the school also successfully obtained NEASC accreditation, marking an important quality benchmark for its academic and operational standards. Supported by Dukes Education’s university guidance offer, including Dukes Plus, ULIS graduates progress to a broad range of international universities across Europe, the UK, North America and beyond.

ULIS is also recognised for innovation and digital learning, having been named a Microsoft Showcase School, placing it among a global network of schools. The school’s one-to-one device programme and integrated digital learning strategy runs across all year groups, complemented by ongoing professional development focused on educational technology and innovative teaching practice.

“We have always believed that schools shape cities as much as cities shape schools. The Centre for the Performing Arts and Sports is designed to inspire higher standards; from the events teachers create, to the performances and teamwork students bring to the stage and the pitch. And as Edu Hub Lisbon continues to evolve, it has the potential to become one of Europe’s most meaningful ecosystems for learning, innovation and long-term community benefit,” concludes Stern.

The inauguration of this phase also represents a key step in the wider Edu Hub Lisbon masterplan scheduled for delivery in 2027.