The framework for obtaining excellence represents the defining principles of good design in the 21st century and seeks to inform progress toward a zero-carbon, equitable, resilient, and healthy environment.

Sports, Education and Science create meaningful contexts to understand then important concepts of excellence and resilience. Conceptions that are not fixed attributes but accomplishments promoted by focusing on changing factors that can influence individuals. Therefore, the approach does not focus on attributes such as ability but the promotion of social competence, problem solving skills, autonomy, and a sense of purpose.

Training students to find a solution to problems is the new schools’ global challenge. Education and science are together to create the ability to foster creativity and innovation in terms of problem solving. The cognitive sciences, psychology, artificial intelligence, computer science, engineering are now in use to create better health, to increase life expectancy, and even the countries’ economic interdependence is bringing humanity together as never seen before.

Giving students opportunities to explore self-awareness, the perception of their personal values, goals and identity is the key to leadership success. The sense of purpose is the driver to build a meaning for life toward a better future.

Diversity and equality in higher education provide a more varied student body that can only be an opportunity, challenging and enriching students’ experience and institutions. The dynamics’ diversity of excellence also values tolerance by supporting personal development allowing the evolution of students with more competence, knowledge and influence and thus a more sustainable and people-friendly society.

Luís B. Sardinha is Full Professor of Exercise Prescription and Functional Body Composition and Energy Regulation at the Faculty of Human Kinetics, University of Lisbon. He trained in Exercise and Sports Science, earning a M. Sc. in Exercise Physiology from the University of Kansas, USA and a Ph.D. from the Faculty of Human Kinetics at the University of Lisbon, Portugal. In 1997, he did his post-doc at the Body Composition Laboratory, Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, and University of Arizona, USA.