| This article describes the relationship between citizenship behaviours and performance of university teachers (CBUT) and the professional motivation and self-confidence of their students. Four CBUT dimensions were studied: participatory behaviour, practical orientation, conscientiousness and courtesy. A sample of 242 graduates from a variety of organizations and occupations were contacted. The findings are consistent with those obtained by Rego and Rego and Sousa concerning students? and teachers? points of view. Our study, conducted in Portugal, supports the view that an excellent teacher is one who scores well across all four CBUT dimensions. Our findings suggest that the four CBUT can contribute to improving quality in higher education with respect to the quality of the teaching?learning process |