With the intention of preventing academic failure and school dropout, which according to the most recent academic year 2022–2023 was 12.9 percent, the Polytechnic of Leiria unveiled the Observatory for Academic Success 2.0 (OPSA), which builds upon the first edition. Two of the project's seven strategic areas, which are aimed at first-year students, are the student mentorship programme run by teachers and a peer mentorship programme.

The goal, according to Graça Poças Santos, vice-president of the Polytechnic of Leiria, is for first-year students to be “accompanied by peers, therefore, students from more advanced years, who will help with their integration”, as the institution noticed that some students have “difficulties integrating, communicating and getting together in groups”.

First-year students at the Polytechnic of Leiria will be integrated through this mentoring programme “in things as simple as academic services, what they are for, and how they can deal with any subject”. Moreover, in addition to receiving pedagogical training, student mentors will also get scholarships. Conversely, the vice president clarified that the students will be able to “know how to manage, for example, the testing and assignment calendar” with the assistance of tutors, who will likewise receive training.

Graça Poças Santos stated that “They are not supposed to teach the students. We have specific training programs for areas that are more difficult”. In order to support students' full inclusion, the Observatory for Academic Success 2.0 (OPSA) also anticipates the development of partnership networks with social, cultural, and athletic entities.