On 28 June, Instituto Superior Técnico and Tekever signed a collaboration protocol that will last, at least, until 2027. The ceremony took place in the Main Building’s meeting room, at Alameda campus. The company becomes the 27th member of the Técnico Partner Network (TPN).
The Técnico president, Rogério Colaço, spoke of “Tekever returning home” in his opening speech, highlighting the origins of the company, founded by Técnico alumni. Referring to the merit award resulting from this partnership, the president stressed “this award gives students added motivation”. According to Rogério Colaço, the support resulting from the protocol “provides better conditions” for those who attend Técnico, which becomes “an act of giving back to society”, something “bidirectional”.
The scope of this collaboration protocol comprises the launch of an annual edition of the TecInnov competition organised by Tekever, which will allow Técnico teams to participate in the Portuguese Navy’s REPMUS exercise, involving experimentation with unmanned systems. In addition to these initiatives, there is also the creation of a merit award (whose subject will be defined at the start of the partnership), Tekever’s participation in the Aerospace Week, organised by the Aerospace Engineering Students’ Organisation at Técnico (AeroTéc), and the support for the renovation of a Teaching Laboratory for Aerospace Engineering students.
Ricardo Mendes, CEO at Tekever, thanked the Técnico president for “the support throughout the process”. “We feel at home at Técnico”, he said, highlighting that whenever possible the company works together with Técnico”. He also stressed that Técnico trains “people capable of thinking and solving problems” and that there is “full trust” between the two parties, which facilitates the implementation of this partnership. “Count on us,” he assured, moments before signing, together with Rogério Colaço, the documents that formalised the protocol.
After the ceremony, those present were invited to visit the laboratory that will be renovated as part of this partnership, the Teaching Laboratory for Aerospace Engineering students, located in the Mechanics Building III.
