Dutch Ambassador in Portugal visited INESC TEC

During a visit to INESC TEC, Nienke Trooster, the representative of the Netherlands in Portugal, had the opportunity to learn about the research and innovation activities developed by the Institute, with emphasis on ongoing projects and initiatives in areas like Agriculture and Forestry, Energy and Health. The meeting allowed strengthening a set of common interests, at a time when both countries are preparing for the post-pandemic recovery.

The visit’s agenda included a welcome and presentation session of INESC TEC, by José Carlos Caldeira, member of the Board of Directors, as well as a look at the Institute’s work – namely in sectors considered to be of common interest. In terms of Agriculture and Forestry, Filipe Santos, researcher at INESC TEC, presented some of the technologies developed, namely robotics and intelligent systems for monitoring, spraying, pruning and harvesting crops, within the scope of projects like SCORPION. 

Zenaida Mourão, INESC TEC researcher, presented the work carried out in the field of Energy, with emphasis on the European project that aims to digitalise the electrical system, Interconnect, led by INESC TEC, and with the involvement of more than 50 partners – including the Dutch organisations TNO, iCity and University of Amsterdam. Miguel Coimbra, TEC4Health Coordinator at INESC TEC, presented the Institute’s activity in the area of Health, focusing on the creation of the WeSenss, InSignals Neurotech and iLoF spin-offs, and the participation in European initiatives, together with Dutch partners – such as Inno4Vac, a European public-private partnership to accelerate the development and production of vaccines. 

“We were quite happy to welcome the Ambassador of the Netherlands and her entourage. There is a set of common interests and synergies that can be explored by both countries, namely in areas like Agriculture, Forestry, Energy and Health, in which INESC TEC has proven skills and work, and a series of projects and initiatives in progress, which include various organisations from the Netherlands”, explained José Carlos Caldeira. “It is also important to highlight the participation of INESC TEC in the Agendas for Innovation of the Recovery and Resilience Plan, with emphasis on the Green Agendas, of particular interest to the Netherlands,” said the member of the Board.  

Over the past five years, INESC TEC has participated in more than 40 projects with Dutch partners; the network of entities in the Netherlands that has been working with the Institute since 2017 mobilises more than 70 organisations, including companies and higher education institutions.  

Ambassador Nienke Trooster visited INESC TEC on March 22, accompanied by Isabel Furtado, Honorary Consul of the Netherlands in Portugal, Filipe Murraças, Senior Economic Policy Officer at the Dutch Embassy, and Lori Ashekian, an MBA student at Porto Business School. The entourage was welcomed by José Carlos Caldeira, and INESC TEC’s representatives included Filipe Santos, Zenaida Mourão, Miguel Coimbra, André Sá (Business Developer of TEC4Agro-Food), Andreia Passos (manager of the International Relations Service – SRI), and Vera Pinto (Technical Specialist at SRI). 

The INESC TEC researchers mentioned in this news piece are associated with INESC TEC and UP-FCUP.