University of Coimbra and Coimbra Local Health Unit sign partnership agreement
The collaboration aims to fund innovative projects and promote internships and applied research between the two institutions.
This partnership is a "significant step towards an even closer relationship" between the University of Coimbra (UC) and the Local Health Unit of Coimbra (ULS). The UC Pro-Rector for Entrepreneurship, Gabriela Fernandes, opened the ceremony and outlined the main objectives of the agreement: "We want to strengthen other areas in addition to health sciences, such as bioengineering, data science, industrial engineering and management, robotics, but also social sciences, management and economics," among others.
The agreement intends to strengthen these areas through the UC Factory Academy programme, which "promotes the relationship between the business community and the UC" by offering internships and research opportunities in partnership with the Coimbra Local Health Unit (ULS)," explains Gabriela Fernandes. There are also plans for an annual Innovation Award, with the ULS "funding three projects" in these strategic areas.
The Rector of the University of Coimbra, Amílcar Falcão, praises the "multidisciplinary nature" of this collaboration. "We need to be able to move from the clinical dimension to the non-clinical," which is now "crucial in areas such as logistics, information analysis, and the development of medical devices." This agreement will "enable the University of Coimbra's research to be conducted in collaboration with the Coimbra Local Health Unit (ULS), thereby contributing to improve and strengthen clinical activity," adds Amílcar Falcão.
For Alexandre Lourenço, Chairman of the Board of ULS Coimbra, this agreement represents "the fulfilment of a shared vision, grounded in the firm belief that innovation, science, and technology can and should serve people's health and well-being." He highlighted the "historic and deeply symbiotic" relationship between the University of Coimbra (UC) and ULS Coimbra. Alexandre Lourenço believes that with partners like the University of Coimbra, ULS can "overcome many of the challenges" it faces.
