“We can’t criticize and not do something different.” The words of engineer José Medeiros Graça explain the motto of the successful collaboration between MCG mind for metal and Técnico. A former student of the school, the company’s managing director always felt that there was an enormous gap between industry and academia. “I criticized that in class”, he says, so when he took over the company’s management, he was keen to change the situation.
“There was a time when we didn’t understand what the gateways to Técnico were, but suddenly Professor Paulo Martins appeared, fully opening the doors for us.” Today, this is one of the most successful partnerships in the mechanical technology area – MCG specializes in the metal components industry and has an “international perspective” as few others do in Portugal, explains José Graça Medeiros.
The company offers students the opportunity to do internships within the company and collaborate on projects and joint master’s theses, it organizes the MCG day @ IST – which showcases the company – and rewards, annually, the best mechanical technology thesis produced at Técnico. Furthermore it supports the Núcleo de Oficinas (Workshop Centre) and provides raw materials “in quantities that represent a lot of money”, explains professor Paulo Martins. But most important may be the collaboration with the Mechanical Technology Group that in the past few years has developed various projects with the company.
“Much of our activity has to do with the development of new manufacturing processes and the optimization of existing manufacturing processes, or with the use of these processes to create new materials”, says the Técnico professor. “We develop techniques and technologies, we are keen on transferring technology to businesses.” Businesses such as MCG, which take advantage of every possible opportunity to increase the competitiveness of their product. “In the automotive components industry there is a lot of competition, and any technological development that can save a penny in the manufacturing of a part has a huge return.”
This is not, however, the only reason to establish a partnership like this with Técnico, a university that, for José Graça Medeiros, remains “a reference” in engineering education. “Maybe ten years from now, when a future engineer is working at a company and needs a product that has to do with our area, they will remember that MCG exists. We want to have a well-structured network and a close relationship with the future alumni of the university, so there is a positive image of us.” “It’s a matter of visibility among students” at all levels, from recruitment and support for projects to the creation of a business network, he explains.
And what can MCG offer Técnico? “I think we can create additional value by foreseeing potential applications for research. We have more knowledge of the market and we can assist in the strategic fit of R&D projects”, says the entrepreneur, before adding: “In addition, by being in close connection with professor Paulo Martins’ team, we can provide students with a connection to the industry, a vision of what is being done in this area.” And, of course, they recruit graduates from Técnico. “We already know them, it’s a natural evolution of our relationship.”
As for the future, José Graça Medeiros has big plans: “This is highly disruptive, but it would be very interesting for MCG to incubate some potential companies that might arise from ideas and projects developed at Técnico. We are very focused on new products and new ideas, and if there were students with this kind of vision of the market, but in need of manufacturing equipment, we would be available to help. We would like to be a part of a perspective of industrial startups, which Técnico might think of having in the future.” “I think we can create an interesting incubation centre for such projects here”, he summarizes.
