Professor Braga da Cruz,
I have had the pleasure to be closely associated with the School of Architecture at Viseu since its inception, having known and collaborated for several years with Professors José Cornélio da Silva, Lucien Steil, José Baganha and Alvaro Barbosa. They, and other dedicated professors have built a distinguished school with prominent standards of excellence, within a remarkably brief period of time. Many architects, all over the world, were anxiously expecting its emergence on an international level,
Cities are in urgent need of sound buildings, and the Universidade Catolica Portuguesa had a valuable opportunity to contribute to such a vision with the able professors mentioned above, as well as the intelligence and talent of its students. This, I mentioned to you in Viseu, in May of this year, emphasizing that the high quality of student work was a clear evidence that this was one of the best schools of architecture in Europe.
For unknown reasons, the Universidade Catolica Portuguesa has proceeded to systematically dismantle the School of Architecture in Viseu, over the past year. Here, I would like to stress that many of the school's friends, advisors and general well-wishers, are well aware of the offensive tactics that were deployed to prevent further progress and bring about its downfall. This was simply unbecoming of a university, and especially a Catholic university.
Finally, I want to inform you that Professors José Cornélio da Silva and Lucien Steil have returned to teach at the Rome Studies Program at the University of Notre Dame. Here, their knowledge, talents, and ethical conduct are eminently valued.
Sincerely,
Samir Younés
Associate Professor of Architecture
Director of Rome Studies
The University of Notre Dame