摘要：In this work the authors first summaril. describe the main topics that were the subject of their post-graduate activity in fiber sensing at the Appl.ed Optics Group of University of Kent in the l.te 1980s and earl. 1990s. After their return to Porto, Portugal. the know-how acquired during their stay at Kent and the col.aboration paths that fol.owed between the University of Porto and University of Kent were instrumental.in the start-up and progress of optical.fiber sensing activity in Portugal. The main topics addressed in this fiel., the description of some of the rel.vant devel.pments achieved in recent years, the present situation and the guidel.nes for the future research and devel.pment activity in Portugal.in fiber sensing wil. be the core of this work.