The inaugural Brisa Merit Award in Green Technologies and Decision Strategies took place on June 6 at Técnico – Alameda campus. This award aims to honour the best project in the Green Technologies and Decision Strategies curricular unit (UC), which involves the Department of Bioengineering (DBE) and the Department of Chemical Engineering (DEQ).
The “Green Pavement” project, developed by Chemical Engineering master’s students Ana Borrego, Priscila Rocha, and Sofia Pereira, won the award. After receiving the prize of 2,600 euros, the students remarked, “It was a very stimulating process that showed the impact we can have beyond engineering.”
The “Green Pavement” project proposes a sustainable solution for motorways by partially replacing bitumen with plastic waste wax and phase change materials, which increases durability and reduces the carbon footprint. It also incorporates recycled asphalt pavement (RAP), wind turbines, recycled plastic signage, and ecological paints, promoting circularity and biodiversity.
Frederico Ferreira and Nuno Faria, professors at Técnico, saw the connection to the business sector as an opportunity to create more ambitious challenges that address real problems faced by the Brisa Group. They encouraged students to engage in intensive work over seven weeks. The final candidates for the award included student groups working on the projects “Terra,” “Devine Chemistry,” and “Green Pavement,” all of which were presented to a jury comprised of Conceição Magalhães and Eugénia Correia, engineers at Grupo Brisa, as well as the two professors.
Rogério Colaço, the President of Técnico, emphasised the importance of collaboration between industry and academia, stating, “If higher education institutions can’t keep up with changes in society, they are failing.” “Técnico is preparing students for future challenges, even if they are uncertain about what those challenges might be”, he added. Regarding the Técnico Partner Network, Rogério Colaço highlighted its expansion and broad coverage across various industries.
Pedro Amaral, the Vice President of Técnico for Corporate Interface, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship, congratulated the students on their achievements and expressed gratitude to the professors and departments that facilitated the projects. He noted, “The awards help students engage and contribute to academic development,” adding, “When faced with challenges, we react, and that defines Técnico.”
João Portela, Project and Contract Manager at Brisa, praised the students for their seven weeks of work, noting that “innovation comes from students who help shape the future of the industry.”
Additionally, diplomas were awarded to all students who participated in the final stage of the award.
The company also donated 1,735 euros to the DBE and DEQ. Patrícia Figueiredo, a professor at Técnico and Vice-Head of the Department of Bioengineering, described the donation as “a real incentive for academic excellence and a perspective of sustainability.” Henrique Matos, a professor at Técnico and Head of the Department of Chemical Engineering, emphasised “the significance of creating a networking opportunity between study programmes at Técnico”, highlighting the importance of collaboration between departments.
