According to FISU, about 50 major universities have joined the initiative which aims to give them the tools, guidance and best practices to ensure well-being of staff and students on campus.

Under the leadership of rector António de Sousa Pereira, the University of Porto secured 96 out of 100 approved criteria to earn platinum certification.

And the FISU claims the university can be a "case study" for others aiming to obtain the prestigious Healthy Campus label.

De Sousa Pereira said the recognition gave the university further encouragement to continue to invest in improving the quality of life for students and staff.

"Over the past few years, University of Porto has made a considerable effort to provide all members of its community with the best conditions so that they can develop their activities in a healthy environment," said de Sousa Pereira.

"That is why we enthusiastically subscribed to the FISU Healthy Campus programme, as it was an opportunity to objectively and independently evaluate our work.

"The commitment to guarantee health and well-being of the entire academic community is a strategic goal in our stated vision for the next five years.

"It is therefore with enormous satisfaction that we see our work recognised."

De Sousa Pereira believed the FISU Healthy Campus programme was an “excellent tool” to help a university monitor its environment.

"Although we have obtained approval in almost all criteria, we believe that the work is not yet finished," he said.

"We will try to make it a priority for the almost 40,000 students and staff that attend the University of Porto.

"Modern and forward-looking universities must create strong ties with all stakeholders, breaking down the imaginary walls that sometimes exist between academia and general society.

"Collaboration with regional and national entities responsible for the design, implementation and monitoring of public health policies, physical activity, sport, nutrition, etc. is, therefore, essential to achieve the goals of Healthy Campus."

The University of Porto claims to have a vast daily programme of physical activities with more than 9,000 students participating in over 60 different sports.

"We encourage members of the academic community to take responsibility for their health and well-being,” said prorector Joana Carvalho.

"We want the community to have at its disposal the necessary tools to reduce sedentary lifestyles.

"In addition to the regular sports offers that we promote, there are countless initiatives that we have been developing; from providing electric bicycles to improving the physical, mental and social well-being of our staff through the Pausa Ativa (Active Pause) programme, tips and advice on healthy eating, and free sports facilities during periods of low demand.

"A more active university community is certainly a happier community, with better academic and professional performance."

The University of Porto has also recently renovated its University Stadium which was built in 1953.

"We want the University Stadium to be a space open to the city, so that it can be used by the greatest number of people, regardless of whether they belong to the university or not," added Bruno Almeida, director of sport for the University of Porto.

"The new features allow the informal practice of a large number of sports, informal games, training, jogging or simply walking.

"We invested in the implementation of an outdoor fitness training box, which can be used by the entire community."