Fapespa participates in national event on Science, Technology and Innovation
Meeting in the city of Belo Horizonte (BH) gathers the 27 State Research Support Foundations (FAPs), along with strategic partners
Representatives from the 27 State Research Support Foundations, strategic partners from national and international science, technology and innovation (CT&I) funding agencies, are gathered in Belo Horizonte (MG). The aim is to strengthen collaboration among the foundations and discuss the main challenges and pathways for the future of CT&I in Brazil, at the 69th edition of the National Confap Forum. The event started on September 30 and ends this Friday (3).
The initiative brings together researchers from all Brazilian states, organized by the National Council of State Research Support Foundations (Confap), in partnership with the Foundation for Research Support of the State of Minas Gerais (Fapemig).
Pará is represented by the Amazon Foundation for Support of Studies and Research (Fapespa), through its president, Marcel Botellho, who is also the vice-president of CONFAP and the technical team.
The opening of the meeting was held at the Carlos Ribeiro Diniz Auditorium of Fapemig, with the participation of the Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation (MCTI), Luciana Santos. She highlighted the growth of science and innovation, through the so-called "transformation industry" and the increasing possibilities for strategic partnerships.
“This event symbolizes the strength of the national system of science, technology and innovation and brings together key actors for the advancement of our country. It is the FAPs along with state secretariats, research institutes, universities, and local partners, including companies and industries, this triple helix, that will enable progress in the indicators. I have no doubt that this ecosystem and this triple helix will build the solutions and transform ideas and resources into concrete actions that lead to the development of each state in this country,” said the minister.
Also present were the executive secretary of MCTI, Luiz Fernandes, the director of Programs and Scholarships in the Country of the Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel (Capes), Luiz Antonio Pessan, the director of Institutional, International Cooperation and Innovation (DCOI) of the National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq), Dalila Andrade de Oliveira, the president of CONFAP, Márcio de Araújo Pereira, the Secretary of State for Economic Development of Minas Gerais (Sede-MG), Milla Corrêa, and the president of FAPEMIG, Carlos Arruda.
The president of Fapemig emphasized the partnerships that the Foundation has established for the transfer of technologies from the bench to industries, the retention of young talents in Minas Gerais, and the development of research in strategic areas for the economic development of the State.
“Our idea is that science, technology, and innovation in Brazil will advance much faster if we collaborate more, if we understand our differences, our similarities, and our inequalities, and together seek solutions for them,” he emphasized.
Debates- The Forum featured an extensive program, with discussions on topics related to promoting innovation, essential legal aspects for funding agencies, and the Legal Framework for Science, Technology, and Innovation.
In the presidency room of Fapemig, the presidents of the FAPs discussed internal agendas of the Council and joint actions developed by the foundations. Among the topics addressed were the Amazon+10 Initiative, actions to attract and retain young doctors in Brazil, a database of evaluators, among others.
Among the topics discussed during the program, the president of Fapespa highlights internationalization themes that presented various initiatives that are providing advances to graduate courses and valuable exchange opportunities for progress on sensitive issues for the country such as the environment, water resources, and biodiversity.
“We also addressed Innovation and entrepreneurship with reports of successful experiences from the FAPs and discussions with important players in the national and international context, a great exchange of knowledge,” highlighted the president.
Another agenda of the meeting was the legal one, in which the implementation of the Legal Framework for Science and Technology was discussed. “We have the challenge of transforming the accountability process of research projects with a greater focus on products and their impacts, less bureaucracy, and greater legal security,” detailed the president of Fapespa.
The president of Confap, Márcio de Araújo Pereira, congratulated Fapemig for developing innovative initiatives in Minas Gerais and highlighted agenda items from the forum program that are the basis for future discussions. “I would like to congratulate all the collaborators of FAPEMIG who have made a revolution with this development-focused view for innovation. We will discuss the Legal Framework for Science, together with the courts, controllers, and regulatory bodies, the types of applicability according to the regulations, but also bringing suggestions. This shows the importance of being together here, state governments, with the Federal Government, working towards the same goal, which is the common good and the sovereignty of science, technology, and innovation,” highlighted the president.
This Friday (3), visitors will get to know the Inhotim Institute, a contemporary art museum and Botanical Garden, located in Brumadinho, and its projects that unite science, art, and extension.
*With information from Ascom Confap
