Artur Lima advocates that University of the Azores should "rethink its positioning and focus” - Communication

Vice-Presidência do Governo Regional

The Vice-President of the Regional Government, Artur Lima, defended on Tuesday that the University of the Azores should "rethink its positioning and focus."

The Vice-President's speech was delivered at the ceremony marking the 50th anniversary of the University of the Azores in Angra do Heroísmo.

For Artur Lima, the founding of the University in the middle of the Atlantic in 1976 was not only an administrative act, but also an "act of resistance against remoteness and an expression of intellectual sovereignty."

However, "after a long and still ongoing academic staleness," it is necessary to "seize this new moment to rethink what has been done and what we want to do, without repeating the same mistakes of the past," he said.

The University of the Azores "should promote a renewal of its staff to hire the best to train the best," as this institution is "capable of doing more and better," noted the government official. 

The Vice-President of the Government also regretted that, 50 years after the founding of the Azorean academy, "it is still necessary to explain to Mainland Portugal and Europe what Autonomy is and the relevance of the Autonomous and Outermost Regions," as well as "the principle of territorial continuity and the rights of island peoples." 

In this regard, he recalled that the University serves nine islands and has a physical presence on three. This "entails remoteness costs that the country must and has to recognise and compensate, with this being "an obligation of the National Government."

The Vice-President stressed that the Regional Government "has always been present, cooperative and proactive in seeking solutions for the University, within the scope of its powers." He highlighted the increased support for its tripolar structure, the transfer of land in Faial for the new university residence, the provision of a part of the former Horta Health Centre for OKEANOS services and the future transfer of buildings in Terceira for the Veterinary Hospital.

"It is now up to the University to adapt itself to the current and future market needs," emphasised Artur Lima. 

The Vice-President considered that the great challenge for the Azorean academy over the next 50 years is to "continue to be a University that is close to home, but with a global reach."

"The University of the Azores is the greatest common project of the Azoreans, and may it continue to be so by adapting its motto, the dawn that illuminates our path of progress," concluded Artur Lima.