The University of Algarve (UAlg) and the Algarve Regional Coordination and Development Commission (CCDR Algarve) signed today, February 18, in the Rectory's Seminar Room, on the Campus de Gambelas, a cooperation protocol that was attended by Miguel Poiares Maduro, Deputy Minister for Regional Development.
This collaboration protocol essentially materializes through the carrying out of joint activities in common areas.
The privileged relationship between CCDR Algarve and UAlg, the desire to contribute to the strengthening of the institutional relationship, with a view to developing synergies leading to the deepening of scientific cooperation ties in the domains of their respective missions, are the general object of this protocol.
Poiares Maduro considers that this protocol is a good example of what is needed to associate knowledge with territory.
For the Deputy Minister for Regional Development, universities in Portugal have two major challenges, the transfer of knowledge to society and internationalization. Poiares Maduro also warned about the support instruments that could be made available for the realization of these challenges through the Portugal 2020 Operational Programs.
António Branco, rector of UAlg, highlighted the importance that this protocol has for the region, as UAlg is the only public higher education institution in the Algarve and, therefore, “this particular circumstance gives everyone a greater responsibility to take this cooperation to good effect”.
The rector also referred to UAlg's Strategic Plan which, along with the region, also elects the following thematic fields as the most urgent challenges: Sea, Tourism, Health and Welfare, and Mediterranean Heritage.
These thematic fields, in the context of regional strategies coinciding with RIS3, an instrument that arises in the context of the preparation work for the cohesion policy for the 2014-2020 period, with its existence and approval being a prerequisite for regions to have access to the ERDF , also served as a reflection for David Santos, president of CCDR Algarve, who “would like to always walk side by side with the University of Algarve”.
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