AZORES | Artur Lima advocates for greater knowledge transfer between researchers and entrepreneurs
The Vice-President of the Regional Government, Artur Lima, emphasised the need to foster knowledge transfer between the research and private sectors at an event dedicated to the European Union’s I3 Instrument.
The event, held at the Terceira Island Science and Technology Park (TERINOV), aimed to raise awareness of the Interregional Innovation Investment Instrument (I3), funded by ERDF, amongst members of the Regional Research Community, with a view to increasing the Region’s participation in this type of funding.
The Vice-President of the Government emphasised the importance of “preparing the future by harnessing and transferring knowledge between researchers and entrepreneurs,” thus creating a “genuine symbiosis where innovative ideas address the specific challenges facing the Azores and the Azoreans.”
Artur Lima called on the entrepreneurs, researchers and partners present to submit “bold applications” to this European funding scheme, which “paves the way to growth and internationalisation.”
“The Azores are not starting from scratch. We have talent, vision and a track record. There is a solid experience and potential that our companies should and must capitalise on,” he emphasised.
In 2024, the Azores were designated a Regional Innovation Valley by the European Commission. Speaking about this designation, the government official considered it a “well-deserved recognition of the work and progress we have all achieved together,” whilst emphasising that “we cannot rest on our laurels” if we are to continue “on this path towards success.”
In this regard, the Vice-President of the Government recalled the adaptation of the Smart Specialisation Strategy, which now incorporates areas such as Health, Space and Data Science, as well as incentives for PhD grants in a business context.
“We want to encourage the growth and innovation of our business sector based on scientific knowledge,” he said.
Artur Lima also discussed the ongoing overhaul of the Azores’ scientific system, which will be designated as CoRe. According to him, it will “provide a more integrated and innovation-oriented framework for the sector, bringing together research, intermediary entities, business innovation and scientific literacy within a single legal framework.”
Finally, the Vice-President referred to INOVAR2030, the incentive scheme for the business sector, which aims to develop and strengthen regional research and innovation capacities, as well as the adoption of advanced technologies in the Azores.
GRA/RÁDIOILHÉU
