The University of the Algarve’s rector opened an investigation into Wednesday’s freshers’ prank which ended up with a paralytic student being admitted to Faro hospital.
The Ministry of Education today stepped in to the public arena created by the affair, which students blame on an over zealous media, and has asked for 'clarification' from the rector António Branco.
Also, the prosecutor's office has opened its own investigation into the jape which involved students burying themselves up to their necks in sand near the sea on Faro beach and getting drunk.
The university press office said today that "the public prosecutor decided to open an investigation related to this matter" but gave no further details.
On Thursday the Ministry of Education and Science requested information and said it would "appreciate a quick response from the rector of the University of Algarve."
"The Secretary of State for Higher Education contacted today (Thursday) morning the rector of the University of Algarve in order to get information about the episode that occurred on the evening of Wednesday, in Faro, in which a student had to receive hospital treatment and asked him to convey to the student and his family best wishes for speedy recovery.
“The Ministry of Education and Science would appreciate a quick response of the rector of the University of the Algarve which has initiated a process of investigation into the case.”
The case was reported to the António Branco by the parents of the 19-year-old female student which kicked off the investigation.
The ministry issued new guidelines in September 2014 relating to 'violent and abusive academic pranks' and reminded institutions of their duty to prevent any such pranks from happening on or off campus.
The judicial mishandling of the Meco beach affair in December 2013 in which six students drowned in unexplained circumstances has yet fully to be explained.
The one surviving student’s story changed over time and did not accord with the physical evidence. The parents of the youngsters who lost their lives have had no closure and feel that there has been a cover up by the university and the government.
The questions that remain over the Meco beach tragedy may well have caused the wide media coverage of the Faro beach affair where one paralytic student has triggered separate university, public prosecutor and Ministry of Education inquiries.
