The IPVC is a Public Higher Education Institution, created by Decree-Law No. 380/80 of 16 August. It is a legal person of public law, endowed with statutory, administrative, financial and patrimonial. Its statutes were approved by the Legislative Order No. 7/2009 of 26 January, published in DR II Series of 06/02/2009. Created in 1980 by Decree-Law 303/80 of 16 August, the Polytechnic Institute of Viana do Castelo [IPVC] is inserted in the Alto Minho, territory where the occupation and human activities develop in a resource recovery tradition natural. The IPVC aims to pursue, through its Schools, the human, cultural, scientific, technical and professional quality, carry out the necessary and appropriate research to the pursuit of its mission and cooperate with the regional community, particularly its productive fabric and business, in a perspective of permanent dialogue and mutual appreciation.