Ensino superior para o novo século: problema ou solução?

The aim of this paper is to focus on the difficult conciliation that universities will have to do between investigation and teaching, in serious social conditions and in a new world order, where they belong. It recognizes the difficulty in changing mentalities and attitudes but it projects in the pedagogical qualification, in general terms, as the only way to go ahead. It also recognizes, as a sign of hope, that thru its long history, university teaching, has always been able to respond to social and cultural changes that where on its way.