Vanguard Properties and Instituto Superior Técnico sign collaboration protocol

Leading property development company, Vanguard Properties, and renowned higher education institution, Instituto Superior Técnico (IST), are pleased to announce the signing of a cooperation protocol as part of the "Técnico Partners Network". This protocol represents an important milestone regarding research, education, technology transfer and innovation.

IST created the "Técnico Partners Network" to establish partnerships with companies and organisations that further the institution's mission. As such, Vanguard Properties will play a key role, promoting research, teaching and innovation, as well as supporting knowledge transfer between academia and industry.

As part of this protocol, IST and Vanguard Properties will collaborate on various activities of mutual interest. Among the initiatives foreseen are:

• Merit award: IST, in conjunction with Vanguard Properties, will give a merit award for the best dissertation on new natural construction materials for a course in IST's Department of Civil Engineering, Architecture and Environment (DECivil).
• Research-industry workshops: IST and Vanguard Properties will organise annual workshops, where IST students, researchers and lecturers will be given challenges, thus promoting collaboration between academia and industry.
• TecInnov competition: IST will organise an annual competition to develop innovative ideas in conjunction with Vanguard Properties. The competition will focus on areas relevant to both parties, fostering a favourable environment for both creativity and innovation.
• Research grants: IST and Vanguard Properties will hire a grant holder, selected from among IST doctorate students. These grants will last three years and represent a commitment to research and the development of innovative projects.
• In addition to this, Vanguard Properties will make a donation to IST to support its teaching mission, boosting IST's research and teaching activities.

For José Cardoso Botelho, CEO of Vanguard Properties, "investing in the training and development of our talents is in Vanguard Properties’ DNA. We also believe that investing in partnerships with prestigious educational institutions, such as IST, is key to encouraging innovation and progress in our industry. We’re excited about helping  consolidate research and teaching at IST and hope this partnership brings major benefits, not only to both parties, but to society in general."

This protocol demonstrates a firm commitment by both parties to promote excellence in education and innovation. IST and Vanguard Properties look forward to working together, pursuing major advances in the fields of science and technology.