Carla Padrel de Oliveira holds a PhD in Chemical Engineering from the Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine of the University of London. Her production and scientific activity in the area of experimental thermodynamics are particularly relevant, as well as her extensive professional activity in the field of distance training, education and cooperation in Portuguese-speaking countries.

In the context of her teaching activity in the field of Chemistry, she coordinated several degree study programs, namely the PhD in Social Sustainability and Development.

From 2000 onwards, she served as Pro-Rector for Cooperation with Portuguese-speaking African Countries and East Timor. In 2009 she was appointed Vice-Rector for Quality, Evaluation and International Cooperation, having been responsible for several distance training programs and projects in Portuguese language and for the definition and implementation of the Internal Quality Assurance System of the University,  according to ENQA/A3ES references.

For the last four years she has been Rector of the Universidade Aberta of Portugal.