Ricardo Antunes, a master’s student in Computer Science and Engineering at Instituto Superior Técnico, was the winner of the NOS Merit Award in Parallel and Distributed Computing 2023/2024, worth 1535 euros. The award ceremony took place on 4 April in the meeting room of the Department of Computer Science and Engineering (DEI) at Técnico – Alameda campus.
The challenge for 2023/2024 involved creating a three-dimensional version of the “Game of Life,” a cellular automaton in which billions of cells must be updated across numerous generations. In each generation, the status of each cell (alive or dead) is recalculated based on simple rules that consider the number of adjacent living and dead cells.
Ricardo Antunes stood out among his colleagues and, after receiving the award, thanked everyone present, with special thanks to the senior lecturer of the Parallel and Distributed Computing curricular unit for ‘having developed such an interesting project that aligns closely with industry challenges’.
João Castelo Branco, a Master’s student in Electrical and Computer Engineering, and Tomás Esteves, a Master’s student in Computer Science and Engineering, were the other two finalists. The students presented their projects developed during the curricular unit and answered questions posed by the jury.
During the event, Rogério Colaço, President of Técnico, expressed his desire to “continue to deepen this strategic relationship.” “113 years ago, Técnico was established to train professionals capable of boosting the country’s economy. Our collaboration with the business sector allows us to carry on that legacy”, he noted.
Pedro Amaral, the Vice-President of Técnico for Corporate Interface, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship, highlighted the importance of the partnership with NOS: “It’s a partner that has taken on the challenge of becoming significantly involved with Técnico”, he stated, promising an even greater impact in the coming year. “The awards are being distributed at an impressive rate, reflecting the merit we want to recognise at the school”, he emphasised. Addressing the students, he urged, “You should promote these initiatives—Técnico aims to enhance your quality and academic experience”.
The jury was made up of José Monteiro, senior lecturer of the Parallel and Distributed Computing curricular unit, Aleksandar Ilic, a Técnico professor, and Luís Miguel Santo, Head of Radio at NOS.
Carla Patrocínio, head of the Technology Transfer Office at Técnico, and Cristina Estevão, Head of Recruitment at NOS, presented diplomas to the finalists, highlighting their importance. Cristina Estevão congratulated the participants and mentioned that the company has been working with Técnico engineers for 25 years. “We need your talent, as this is a market that evolves very quickly,” she emphasised.
Luís Miguel Santo, a Técnico alumnus, shared his connection to the school: “I graduated from Técnico in 1998, but I have always felt connected to this institution”. He also reflected on the evolution of teaching at Técnico, stressing the importance of academic challenges in meeting market demands.
Additionally, the initiative included a donation of 1,025 euros to the Department of Computer Science and Engineering (DEI). Daniel Gonçalves, Vice-head of DEI, thanked the students for their contributions and congratulated them, saying, “This proves that we are on the right track and that what our students learn is indeed valued by the market”. José Monteiro, the senior lecturer of the curricular unit, praised the students’ commitment and enthusiasm: “Their work surprises me every year.”
