Research and Development in Defense Conference Shares Innovation, Opportunities

In cooperation with the chapter, the Military University Institute (IUM) organized the "Conference on Research and Development in Defense and the 6th Annual Student Clubs Meeting," which took place in September at the IUM in Lisbon, Portugal. The event was attended by armed forces officers, university students and other key players to share innovation, research and development (R&D) activities and find opportunities with representatives from government, industry and academia. The conference opened with a welcome from Lt. Gen. Martins Pereira, PRT A, commander, Military University Institute; and an opening address by Rear Adm. Carlos Rodolfo, PRT N (Ret.), regional vice president, Atlantic Region, followed by Augusto Mateus, former Portuguese Industry state secretary and economy minister. As keynote speaker, Mateus addressed the topic, "Research and Development in the Area of Defense, as a Factor of Evolution of the Portuguese Economy."

Next, there were institutional presentations on "R&D in Defense Technologies," moderated by Col. Zambujo das Dores, PRT AF, director, IUM Research Center. Lt. Col. Marques Pinto, PRT AF, head of R&D for the General Directorate for Resources at the Portuguese Ministry of Defense, presented the opportunities and priority technology areas for research and development in defense. Col. Figueiredo Moreira, PRT A, head of the Capabilities Area at Innovation and Transformation Department of the Portuguese Armed Forces General Staff, presented the Innovation Strategy in the Portuguese Armed Forces. Lt. Cdr. Placido da Conceicao, PRT N, presented the projects of the Naval Research Center. Thomas Gasche presented the projects of the Research Center of the Military Academy. Capt. Goncalo Cruz, PRT AF, presented the projects of the Research Center of the Air Force Academy.

In the afternoon session, the student chapters of Almada, Covilha, Porto and Lisbon (now being formed) presented their R&D projects, followed by a debate moderated by Jose Borges, professor, Portuguese Military Academy and chapter vice president.

Subsequently, Catarina Nunes, idD-Portugal Defence, moderated a roundtable with the following industry panel: Francisco Fontes, Altice Labs; Gilda Santos, CITEVE; Teresa Cardoso, Edisoft /Thales Group; Venancio Lebre, EID; Rodrigo Silva, ESRI Portugal; Rui Moura, Grupo BEL; Helder Alves, INDRA Portugal; and Joao Manso, Redshift. These companies discussed their work experience in innovation and R&D Defense opportunities.

At the closing session, the chapter president, Victor Lobo, professor, acknowledged the positive balance of this conference and thanked all participants, the entities supporting the event and all those who contributed.

Event Photographs: