The Polytechnic Institute of Beja is a higher education institution in the service of society, for the production and dissemination of knowledge creation, transmission and dissemination of culture and knowledge of a professional nature, targeted research and experimental development, concentrated especially in formations vocational and advanced technical training, professionally oriented and encouraging lifelong life. The Polytechnical Institute of Beja (Instituto Politécnico de Beja) is a state-run polytechnic institute of higher education, comprising several schools. It is located in Beja, on the south region of Alentejo, Portugal. It was established in 1979 and has about 3,500 students (as of 2007).