As part of the thematic week “Learning and Playing,” the Portuguese National Agency Erasmus+ Education and Training is promoting, from July 23 to 25, the participation of Portuguese higher education institutions at Expo 2025 Osaka through the initiative Study & Research in Portugal.
The aim is to present Portuguese higher education as an international partner of excellence, enhancing its attractiveness to students, researchers, and global institutions, while showcasing the contribution of Portuguese institutions to major global challenges and to the international dialogue toward a bluer, fairer, and more sustainable future.
The aim is to present Portuguese higher education as an international partner of excellence, enhancing its attractiveness to students, researchers, and global institutions, while showcasing the contribution of Portuguese institutions to major global challenges and to the international dialogue toward a bluer, fairer, and more sustainable future.
The programme includes an interactive exhibition of projects focused on pedagogical innovation, sustainability, robotics, art, and science, with a special emphasis on creative proposals that promote learning through play and experimentation. Among the featured projects, there is a clear connection to the theme of the Portugal Pavilion – Ocean, the Blue Dialogue – reflecting the national commitment to a sustainable, scientific, and innovative relationship with the sea and its ecosystems:
• Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto – A Persistent and Sustainable Presence in the Global Ocean - Autonomous underwater, surface, and aerial systems for ocean observation, security, and defence, developed by the Underwater Systems and Technology Laboratory (LSTS) in collaboration with the Portuguese Navy and NATO institutions.
• Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto – A Persistent and Sustainable Presence in the Global Ocean - Autonomous underwater, surface, and aerial systems for ocean observation, security, and defence, developed by the Underwater Systems and Technology Laboratory (LSTS) in collaboration with the Portuguese Navy and NATO institutions.
• University of Algarve – Exploring the Ocean Through Play- Interactive experiences developed by the research centres CIMA and CCMAR aimed at educating about marine biodiversity, including the virtual reality film A Dive in Ria Formosa and the card game Marine Habitats of Portugal.
• Polytechnic University of Leiria - Research projects in the field of the blue bioeconomy, particularly Blue Biotechnology, Aquaculture, Food Innovation, and Ecosystem Protection and Restoration, in collaboration with its Research Unit (MARE) and the Peniche Sea Science and Technology Park (SmartOcean). Projects will be presented by Sérgio Leandro, Director of the School of Tourism and Maritime Technology and Scientific Coordinator of SmartOcean, and Marco Lemos, Principal Researcher at MARE.
• University of Minho – ZeroW Project - Technological solutions for zero food waste, including the reuse of residues to produce microalgae for use in the biopolymer and cosmetics industries. The project will be represented by Pedro Geada, Researcher at the Centre of Biological Engineering (CEB), and António Vicente, Vice-Dean of the School of Engineering and CEB researcher.
• Portalegre Polytechnic University – Project WIRE - Development of biorefineries and sustainable processes based on biomass, with impact on the bioeconomy and energy transition. The project will be represented by Paulo Brito, President of the Technical-Scientific Council of the School of Technology, Management and Design and Coordinator of the Research Centre for the Enhancement of Endogenous Products (VALORIZA), and Luís Loures, President of the Portalegre Polytechnic University and Sub-Coordinator of VALORIZA.
• Viana do Castelo Polytechnic Institute – Project Olympic4All - Promotion of active aging through sports and play, focusing on elderly populations in rural areas and intergenerational programs. • Universidade Aberta – Project OPEN - Inclusive, continuous, and sustainable digital education, based on international networks and aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals. The project will be represented by Pedro Alves da Veiga, a transdisciplinary artist, researcher, and professor at Universidade Aberta.
• AICEP – Portuguese Trade & Investment Agency – Inov Contacto Programme - International internships for Portuguese higher education graduates, promoting the internationalization of Portuguese talent and the connection between higher education and the global job market.
Know more about the programme.
• Polytechnic University of Leiria - Research projects in the field of the blue bioeconomy, particularly Blue Biotechnology, Aquaculture, Food Innovation, and Ecosystem Protection and Restoration, in collaboration with its Research Unit (MARE) and the Peniche Sea Science and Technology Park (SmartOcean). Projects will be presented by Sérgio Leandro, Director of the School of Tourism and Maritime Technology and Scientific Coordinator of SmartOcean, and Marco Lemos, Principal Researcher at MARE.
• University of Minho – ZeroW Project - Technological solutions for zero food waste, including the reuse of residues to produce microalgae for use in the biopolymer and cosmetics industries. The project will be represented by Pedro Geada, Researcher at the Centre of Biological Engineering (CEB), and António Vicente, Vice-Dean of the School of Engineering and CEB researcher.
• Portalegre Polytechnic University – Project WIRE - Development of biorefineries and sustainable processes based on biomass, with impact on the bioeconomy and energy transition. The project will be represented by Paulo Brito, President of the Technical-Scientific Council of the School of Technology, Management and Design and Coordinator of the Research Centre for the Enhancement of Endogenous Products (VALORIZA), and Luís Loures, President of the Portalegre Polytechnic University and Sub-Coordinator of VALORIZA.
• Viana do Castelo Polytechnic Institute – Project Olympic4All - Promotion of active aging through sports and play, focusing on elderly populations in rural areas and intergenerational programs. • Universidade Aberta – Project OPEN - Inclusive, continuous, and sustainable digital education, based on international networks and aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals. The project will be represented by Pedro Alves da Veiga, a transdisciplinary artist, researcher, and professor at Universidade Aberta.
• AICEP – Portuguese Trade & Investment Agency – Inov Contacto Programme - International internships for Portuguese higher education graduates, promoting the internationalization of Portuguese talent and the connection between higher education and the global job market.
Know more about the programme.
