Artur Lima stresses importance of retaining qualified researchers in the Region - Communication

Vice-Presidência do Governo Regional

The Vice-President of the Regional Government, Artur Lima, visited several entities of the Azores science and innovation ecosystem based on Terceira Island.

The Vice-President highlighted "the excellent examples of research" conducted in the Region, for which the Azorean Government "should be grateful."

The agenda included visits to the Azores Biotechnology Centre, the Institute for Agricultural and Environmental Research and Technology, the Azores Biodiversity Group, and the OAA Science Centre - Azores Environment Observatory.

Mentioning the Regional Tenure programme, Artur Lima stressed the importance of retaining qualified researchers in the Azores.

"It is a programme with an overall funding of €1.5 million, over five years, in partnership with the University of the Azores. We will contribute to retaining researchers and integrating them into the workforce, with employment contracts and the requirement to teach," he said.

"It is a contribution that we want to begin, which is innovative in the Azores, and, therefore, we will see the results. We are here to continue to retain qualified people in the Azores," he stressed.

For the Vice-President of the Government, when it comes to science, "the Regional Government should go above and beyond the National Government's obligations. Autonomy is all about doing that."

In this regard, Artur Lima mentioned the Government's support for the tripolar structure of the University of the Azores, as well as projects that will enable this institution to receive €5 million in funding.  

These projects have helped to “bring money into the Region, hire researchers or retain researchers. It is not yet what we want, but I leave here very satisfied,” stated the government official. 

The Vice-President also addressed the role of science in society.

"Science is only useful when it serves citizens and when citizens can benefit from the research carried out here. We have an example of this in agriculture, food, carbon capture, hydrology and contamination. We have excellent examples of research being conducted here that will serve people," he said.

Artur Lima also highlighted the exemplary contribution of women to regional science.

"I have seen great examples of women in science here today. They are an example for Portugal and Europe," he said.