This Monday, during the International Conference on Nuclear Security held in Vienna, the Minister of Science, Technology and Higher Education, professor Manuel Heitor, expressed the Government’s interest in developing Campus Tecnológico e Nuclear (CTN) as a “training and research centre, as well as a support for nuclear applications”, thus reinforcing Portugal’s position with the International Atomic Energy Agency.

“Our purpose is to promote CTN according to the International Atomic Energy Agency´s strategy for the development of regional centres and to closely work with European and African governments, as well as with the industrial sector around the world”, he said. “CTN will be directed towards future generations of professionals within the nuclear sector, with an emphasis on health sector. We aim to implement the project in the next two years, through a partnership between the Government, Técnico and Loures City Hall.”

The Minister said that Portugal is determined to promote multilateral scientific and technological cooperation in complex systems of Engineering and Physical Sciences, for an integrated approach in safe nuclear applications. “This goal requires a major effort, at national and international level, public and private, to promote training in Engineering Physics and Biomedical Engineering, as well as technologies and health practices (including specialised nursing).”