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This paper will discuss some issues related to what would be the "necessary university" for a country of the PALOP (Portuguese-speaking African countries) taking as example a Regional and Urban Economics course taught in an undergraduate programme in Economics. The main argument is that it is almost impossible and useless for the universities of these countries to train people with the same profile of an academic out of the so-called world-class universities. Because of this, the PALOP would look for alternative models. The first issue discussed is the definition of the profile expected for the graduates; secondly is what should be offered to them among the options from regional science; finally, what are the most appropriate methodologies and techniques for learning this subject. The text emphasizes the need for adopting teaching methodologies based on solution of problems such as the PBL (Problem Based Learning). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]