The role model

Seven years ago, INESC TEC dared once again: it ventured into the creation of INESC P&D Brasil, (so far) the only R&D institution in a foreign country that was created by a unit of the Portuguese scientific system.

It is true that Brazil is not as “foreign” as the others countries: most genes breathe and ooze the Portuguese language. It’s even hard to explain to a northern or central European citizen what that relationship and closeness means, which goes against the stereotypes about the North and the South.

But this is a different country, a different state – and its individuality must be respected.

INESC P&D Brasil, fondly known there as IB, was created by Brazilians. A core body was established by young PhDs, who while being in Europe, were able to meet the challenge that INESC TEC posed. The PhDs accepted to return to their country in order to create something new there, something that would be inspired by the successful model of INESC TEC.

They are starting a silent revolution.

In the last four years, IB presented an exponential growth. The 2019 budget envisages an R$ 12 million operation. It didn’t suffer from the crisis. And it moved into a new era, in which due to the changes to the Brazilian law, the partner universities of the IB Network (and there are 15 of them) are turning into members of the legal entity.

IB is an international and multiannual institute with partners from Europe and Brazil. Being a facility of INESC TEC, in alliance with the Brazilian partners, it is with proud contentment that we heard from the members of the Brasília’s Government that this is a unique model in the country and that is creating something innovative, which is exactly what the country needs.

If the Brazilian Government wants to reproduce the model in its country, maybe the Portuguese Government will understand how useful it would be to reproduce it in other countries as well.