How Governance and Partnerships Propel Research? ～José Manuel Mendonça Part 3

This conversation explores the evolution of INESC TEC, a pioneering institution in Portugal that transformed from a national entity to a global leader in research and innovation.

Professor José Manuel Mendonça discusses the challenges and decisions that shaped INESC TEC's trajectory, including its governance structure, collaboration with the University of Porto, the impact of structural funding, and the role of European integration in its strategic direction.

The discussion highlights the importance of vision, resilience, and the relentless pursuit of innovation in navigating the complexities of research and development. In this conversation, José Mendonça discusses Portugal's manufacturing capabilities, the importance of quality representation in Europe, and the evolution of international partnerships, particularly with institutions like MIT and Carnegie Mellon.

He emphasizes INESC TEC's role in supporting public policy and the need for structured science-based policy analysis. The discussion also touches on the importance of agenda setting in technology and innovation, and the future outlook for Portugal in the global context.

Takeaways

• INESC TEC emerged during a transformative period in Portugal's history.
• The institution evolved from a centralized model to a multi-institutional approach.
• Collaboration with universities was crucial for INESC TEC's growth.
• Structural funding played a significant role in INESC TEC's success.
• European integration provided strategic opportunities for collaboration.
• INESC TEC's governance model fostered autonomy and professional management.
• The culture of innovation was cultivated through strong leadership and vision.
• INESC TEC's success is attributed to its ability to balance research and technology transfer.
• The institution's growth was supported by partnerships with local industries.
• INESC TEC's journey reflects broader changes in Portugal's research and innovation landscape. Portugal is strong in exporting high-value goods.
• European projects have significantly impacted traditional industries in Portugal.
• Quality representation in Europe has evolved over time.
• International partnerships with US institutions have been transformative.
• INESC TEC plays a crucial role in advising public policy.
• There is a growing demand for science-based policy analysis.
• Institutions should be systematically consulted for public policy advice.
• Agenda setting is essential for addressing future challenges.
• Technological trends must be filtered for relevance to local needs.
• The future outlook for Portugal is promising with ongoing innovation.

Chapters

00:00: The Journey Begins: Portugal in the 1980s

17:40: Governance and Collaboration: INESC TEC and University of Porto

31:06: Structural Funding: A Catalyst for Growth

40:21: European Integration: Shaping INESC TEC's Strategic Direction

49:41: Portugal's Manufacturing Competence

58:44: Building International Partnerships

01:14:26: INESC TEC's Role in Public Policy

01:21:24: The Need for Structured Science-Based Policy Analysis

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The INESC Brussels HUB Winter Meeting 2025

📅 Date: March 6, 2025

📍 Location: Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto (Faculdade de Engenharia da Universidade do Porto)

The organisation welcomes the participation and partnership of the national research and innovation funding agencies (FCT – Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia & ANI – Agência Nacional de Inovação).

The event will bring together key European and national policymakers, research and technology infrastructure managers, and funding agencies to discuss the evolving policy landscape and identify strategic investment models for RTIs.

Read more and register here: https://hub.inesc.pt/inesc-brussels-hub-winter-meeting-2025/