Vice-Presidência do Governo Regional
Artur Lima advocates that University of the Azores should "rethink its positioning and focus”
Artur Lima advocates that University of the Azores should "rethink its positioning and focus”
Vice-Presidência do Governo Regional
Artur Lima highlighted importance of Azores at 52nd Standing Bilateral Commission between Portugal and United States
Artur Lima highlighted importance of Azores at 52nd Standing Bilateral Commission between Portugal and United States
Vice-Presidência do Governo Regional
Vice-President of the Government highlights “excellent research” conducted by University of the Azores
Vice-President of the Government highlights “excellent research” conducted by University of the Azores
January 21, 2026
Artur Lima advocates that University of the Azores should "rethink its positioning and focus”
January 12, 2026
Artur Lima highlighted importance of Azores at 52nd Standing Bilateral Commission between Portugal and United States
January 12, 2026
Vice-President of the Government highlights “excellent research” conducted by University of the Azores
Welcome Note
Welcome to the website of the Vice-Presidency of the XIV Regional Government of the Azores.
Nota de Imprensa
January 21, 2026
Artur Lima advocates that University of the Azores should "rethink its positioning and focus”
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.
January 21, 2026
Artur Lima advocates that University of the Azores should "rethink its positioning and focus”
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.
Nota de Imprensa
January 12, 2026
Artur Lima highlighted importance of Azores at 52nd Standing Bilateral Commission between Portugal and United States
The Vice-President of the Regional Government, Artur Lima, participated today in the 52nd Standing Bilateral Commission (SBC) between Portugal and the United States of America (USA), which took place in Lisbon. The topics discussed included economic, social and military cooperation between Portugal and the United States. Regarding the Lajes Air Base, the importance of this infrastructure for the defence and security of the Atlantic was highlighted, as well as the role that both military forces present at the Base play in search and rescue missions. Concerning labour matters, the Vice-President of the Regional Government highlighted the Azorean Government's ongoing proactivity and also expressed his gratitude to the U.S. authorities and the Azores Air Command for their support during the recent U.S. shutdown. The investments made by U.S. entities in the Azores were noted, as well as the interest in areas under development in the Region, such as the space sector and the construction of the spaceport on the island of Santa Maria. Artur Lima also highlighted the role of cutting-edge research conducted in the Region in terms of understanding the marine environment and its impact on global economies, advocating greater cooperation in this area between the parties. The government official concluded by welcoming the connection of two Google fibre optic cables to the Azores, emphasising their importance for the Region's position in the global digital economy.
January 12, 2026
Artur Lima highlighted importance of Azores at 52nd Standing Bilateral Commission between Portugal and United States
The Vice-President of the Regional Government, Artur Lima, participated today in the 52nd Standing Bilateral Commission (SBC) between Portugal and the United States of America (USA), which took place in Lisbon. The topics discussed included economic, social and military cooperation between Portugal and the United States. Regarding the Lajes Air Base, the importance of this infrastructure for the defence and security of the Atlantic was highlighted, as well as the role that both military forces present at the Base play in search and rescue missions. Concerning labour matters, the Vice-President of the Regional Government highlighted the Azorean Government's ongoing proactivity and also expressed his gratitude to the U.S. authorities and the Azores Air Command for their support during the recent U.S. shutdown. The investments made by U.S. entities in the Azores were noted, as well as the interest in areas under development in the Region, such as the space sector and the construction of the spaceport on the island of Santa Maria. Artur Lima also highlighted the role of cutting-edge research conducted in the Region in terms of understanding the marine environment and its impact on global economies, advocating greater cooperation in this area between the parties. The government official concluded by welcoming the connection of two Google fibre optic cables to the Azores, emphasising their importance for the Region's position in the global digital economy.