16.05.2024
CMU Portugal Academy

Launch of CMU Portugal Academy to Shape Future Digital Professionals

The Interactive Technologies Institute, in collaboration with the Instituto Superior Técnico and the CMU Portugal Program, is launching the CMU Portugal Academy. This initiative, supported by the Fundação Santander Portugal, aims to equip professionals with advanced skills in digital technologies. The inauguration will take place during the event “Partnerships for the Education of Tomorrow: Building Future Jobs for a Digital Portugal,” hosted today at the Hub Criativo do Beato.

The event will feature a keynote address by James H. Garrett, Jr., Dean of Carnegie Mellon University, and the participation of Fernando Alexandre, Portuguese Minister of Education, Science, and Innovation. The agenda includes a panel discussion on the synergy between academia and industry and how these collaborations can shape the future of education in Portugal. The list of panellists includes Paulo Dimas (Unbabel), Francisco Santos (Fundação para Ciência e Tecnologia), and Inês Rocha de Gouveia (Fundação Santander Portugal).

The CMU Portugal Academy is set to become a pivotal institution in the Portuguese educational landscape, offering postgraduate courses in Product Management, User Experience, Service Design, Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, and Machine Learning. Designed to upskill both new talents and experienced professionals from other fields, these courses will enhance career prospects and salary potential significantly.

Expanding the Talent Pool

Nuno Jardim Nunes, President of the Interactive Technologies Institute and Co-Director of the CMU Portugal Program, emphasized the academy’s mission: “The CMU Portugal Program aims to develop and attract talent to Portugal in the ICT sector. The new CMU Portugal Academy will broaden the talent base with access to world-class education, creating future-ready professionals.”

Inês de Rocha de Gouveia, Head of Santander Universidades, also highlighted the importance of this initiative: “We have co-created a pioneering project in the digital field, meeting the innovation needs of the Portuguese business sector. This partnership will produce highly qualified professionals and significantly contribute to the competitiveness and differentiation of our business landscape. Participating in the creation of the CMU Portugal Academy is a major step in the digital innovation of our economy.”

Event Details

  • Location: Hub Criativo do Beato, Sala Cookie2
  • Date: May 16, 2024
  • Time: 17:00 – 19:00

Agenda Highlights

  • 17:00: Opening Remarks by Nuno Jardim Nunes, President of the Interactive Technologies Institute
  • 17:05: Keynote Speech by James H. Garrett, Jr., Dean of Carnegie Mellon University
  • 17:15: Presentation of Postgraduate Programs by João Mendes Borga, Executive Director of the CMU Portugal Academy
  • 17:30: Panel Discussion on Academia’s Role in Future Competitiveness featuring Paulo Dimas, Francisco Santos, and Inês Rocha de Gouveia, moderated by Raquel Yam, Executive Director of the Interactive Technologies Institute
  • 17:50: Partnership Celebration Ceremony with Rogério Colaço, President of Instituto Superior Técnico, and Miguel Belo de Carvalho, Administrator of Santander
  • 18:10: Closing Remarks by Fernando Alexandre, Minister of Education, Science, and Innovation, followed by a networking session

This event underscores the critical role of academic-corporate partnerships in fostering education and preparing professionals for the evolving digital landscape. The CMU Portugal Academy is poised to be a cornerstone in building a digitally proficient workforce, aligning with global trends and the specific needs of Portugal’s job market.