Artur Lima highlights Azores’ role in global knowledge production - Communication

Vice-Presidência do Governo Regional

The Vice-President of the Regional Government, Artur Lima, highlighted on Tuesday the Region’s role in global knowledge production during the ceremony marking “National Scientists’ Day.”

“The geopolitics of the 21st century are no longer measured solely by land borders. They are measured by knowledge. In this global arena, the Azores have a decisive say,” emphasised the Vice-President.

“When Okeanos researchers descend to hydrothermal vents or map our seamounts, they are not merely producing scientific papers. They are protecting Europe’s greatest marine biodiversity and shaping the blue economy, one of the economies of the future,” he continued.

“When IVAR and our volcanologists monitor, day and night, the pulse of our land, they are ensuring the safety of our people, our homes, our lives, and making the energy transition viable through our geothermal energy,” he noted.

“All our islands are involved, and the entire research community is absolutely fundamental to the development of our land,” said Artur Lima.

“All our islands are involved, and the entire research community is absolutely vital to the development of our Region,” stated Artur Lima.

Speaking to an audience of young secondary school students at the Angra do Heroísmo Interpretation Centre, the government official addressed the challenges facing research in the archipelago in terms of mobility, access to equipment and funding. He also emphasised the Government’s commitment to “retaining scientific talent across the nine islands.”

“The future lies with you. I want you to look out to sea and up at the sky and know that you can be the scientists of tomorrow, without having to leave our homeland,” he declared.

Artur Lima highlighted the science support measures currently in place, including the co-funding of European projects.

“Today, we had four researchers here who are pursuing their PhDs under the new co-funding measures we have introduced. They have been inspiring future generations who, I hope, will be enthusiastic about science and will gain the necessary qualifications, so that they too can contribute to the development of our homeland,” he asserted.

According to the Vice-President of the Government, “we need to create a truly educational community, spanning from vocational education to secondary and higher education. Unfortunately, we still have low higher education enrolment rates and need to motivate young people.”

The Regional Government “has already taken steps in this direction with higher education scholarships. It is an ongoing process of supporting young people that must be pursued,” he stated.

Artur Lima also highlighted that research in the archipelago has been expanding beyond the maritime and agricultural sectors to include areas such as geostrategy, health and space, with the latter two being integrated into RIS3 on the Government’s initiative.

At the same time, “the world is becoming increasingly global, and the Azores are an example of this. They are at the heart of the digital transformation with the NUVEM, SOL and CAM submarine cables, which will soon reach the Region,” he emphasised.