The University of Algarve has integrated two more Collaborative Laboratories (CoLAB), KIPT and S2AQUAcoLAB, the first in the area of tourism and the second in sustainable aquaculture.
The Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) recently announced the result of the fourth evaluation exercise of the competition for the recognition and attribution of the title of Collaborative Laboratory, in which nine more laboratories were approved, with UAlg having strengthened «its active and relevant participation" with these two CoLABs, "structures whose main objective is to create, directly and indirectly, qualified employment and scientific employment, through the definition and implementation of research and innovation agendas, in a business environment", according to the university Algarve.
«Aiming to contribute to improving the social situation of workers, promoting and valuing the profession in an inclusive, rewarding and conciliatory approach, UAlg integrates the KIPT (Knowledge to Innovate Professions in Tourism)», announced the institution.
«KIPT is the first and only collaborative laboratory inspired by tourism, which proposes to bring businesses and academia closer together. They propose an action plan that is developed around three strategic axes: knowledge, employment and sustainable competitiveness and five crucial areas of development: information, training and education, career and skills, certification, quality and sustainability, innovation and entrepreneurship, to give response to the problems of the sector in general, including the workforce», described UAlg.
With national geographic coverage, KIPT brings together several entities: the European University, through the Faculty of Tourism and Hospitality (proposing entity), with joint leadership from the University of Algarve; Évora University; Center for Research, Development and Innovation in Tourism (CiTUR); Cooperative for Cultural Training and Animation, CRL; Lusophone University; Polytechnic Institute of Leiria, Polytechnic Institute of Bragança, UNIAUDAX – Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation; University Institute of Lisbon (ISCT); Center Tourism; Municipality of Loulé; Algardata, Sistemas Informáticos, SA; Association of Hotels, Restaurants and Similar of Portugal; SGS Portugal; Salmor – Sociedade de Investimentos Hoteleiros, SA. – Pestana Hotel Group; Vila Galé – Sociedade de Empreendimentos Turísticos, SA; HOTI STAR- Portugal Hotels, SA; Media Invest MITG LDA; Prizmakat Ltd; BLue Geo Lighthouse, Lda; Logical Safety SA; UPSTREAM – Territory Enhancement, SA
«With a social capital that includes 20 entities linked to Science, Technology and Higher Education, tourism governance, information systems, certification, hotels and restaurants, operations, travel agencies, sustainability and innovation and entrepreneurship , KIPT brings together knowledge in a large majority of the areas of the tourist system and in different geographical areas of the country», adds the university.
The collaboration with S2AQUAcoLAB, «an association between institutions of the R&D system, several companies and an aquaculture sector cooperative», aims to promote «innovation for a sustainable and intelligent aquaculture and the carrying out of R&D activities».
“This laboratory intends to play an active role in the transfer of knowledge and technologies and provide services that increase food security and diversify aquaculture products”, describes UAlg.
S2AQUAcoLAB «combines the competences of a State Laboratory (IPMA), a University (UAlg), through the Sea Science Center (CCMAR) and the Marine and Environmental Research Center (CIMA), a Polytechnic Institute (Institute Polytechnic of Leiria), of a municipality (City of Olhão), of a cooperative of producers (Formosa) and of eight private companies, Acuinova, Pisciculture Vale da Lama, Sparos, Necton, AtlantikFish, Viveiros da Espargueira, Bivalvia, Oceano Fresco and Riasearch, and, eventually, others who may join the association».
«The main objective of S2AQUAcoLAB is to promote the development of aquaculture, through research on the optimization of production, with the identification of bioindicators of health and well-being and address the issue of climate change through the adaptation of production systems. The ultimate goal is to generate new products, boost technological development and explore new market perspectives», added the University of Algarve.
In addition to these two CoLABs, UAlg, through the Marine Science Center (CCMAR), «hosts in its facilities the headquarters of GreenCoLab, which promotes economic growth and innovation in marine biotechnology, investing in larger-scale production and diversification commercial products based on algae. Proposed by CCMAR, it has, in addition to universities, partners such as the National Laboratory for Energy and Geology (LNEG) and four Portuguese companies with a long history in algae biotechnology: Allmicroalgae, Necton, Algaplus and Sparos».
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