4th INTERACT Scientific Conferences brings together entrepreneurs and researchers to discuss challenges for the rural world
University of Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro (UTAD)hosted the fourth edition of the INTERACT Scientific Conferences (“Integrative Research in Environment, Agro-Chains and Technology”). The event took place last April 10th and was attended by several speakers and external researchers, as well as all the elements of the scientific project.
Rui Cortes, coordinator of the INTERACT project, during the opening session, said that the organization was concerned to have “a link to stakeholders” with “a different format. We’re already in the final phase of the project and it’s absolutely essential that there is knowledge transfer”. The coordinator underlined and thanked “the effort of everyone throughout these three years of project”, noting that “there are dozens of publications in international journals”. Still in the opening session, Emídio Gomes, vice-rector of the UTAD for Research and Innovation, considered INTERACT as “a very important piece. This area of agroforestry is one of the main lines of strength at national and international level”. The vice-rector considered the project to be “very competitive”, stating that he liked the “results obtained. A university without research is a university without oxygen”, he concluded.
Three round tables to discuss the challenges of the rural world
Besides the presentation of the results of the three years of research carried out within the project, the forth edition of INTERACT Scientific Conferences had a model of linking the research produced with stakeholders and partners, not limited to a mere presentation of results but extending the debate to all. Rui Cortes said that the relationship with entrepreneurs and local agents is “a priority” and this forth edition is “a great occasion to debate the importance of research in the face of the challenges posed to the agrarian sector in the North of the country”.
The event included three round tables that cover, in a general way, the themes that are the target of research throughout the project. In all, seven external speakers, of recognized competence, were invited to speak and debate on issues such as “Environmental Sustainability and Climate Change”, “Bioproducts and Technological Innovation” and “Rural Desertification and Territorial Cohesion”. The intensity of the interventions of the various panel members and the debate with the audience increased throughout the day, with the discussion extending to other issues such as regionalization or even partnerships between companies and universities.
It was Alberto Baptista, Pro-Rector for the Structuring Projects area, who closed this forth edition. He classified INTERACT as “a structuring project for UTAD” because it “allowed many young researchers to be established” in Vila Real. The Pro-Rector has no doubts in affirming that the research “is necessary to respond to the various problems of the region” and that the rectory is doing everything “to find other opportunities to give continuity to the research lines” promoted by the project.
