Luís Valente de Oliveira graduated in Civil Engineering and obtained a PhD in the same area from Universidade do Porto. He graduated in Regional Development Planning from the Institute of Social Studies (The Hague-Holland) and gained a Master's in Transportation Planning (Imperial College – London). He is a Full Professor at the Engineering Faculty of Universidade do Porto. He was president of the Northern Region Coordination Commission (Portugal), as well as Minister of Scientific Research and Education, of Spatial Planning and Administration and of Public Works, Transport and Communications. He has been awarded a number of honours, including the Grã-Cruzes from the Orders of Militar de Cristo, Infante D. Henrique and Chevalier de la Légion d'Honneur (France). He is currently European Coordinator for Motorways of the Sea and director of Associação Empresarial de Portugal.