Yesterday, June 30th, the meeting “7 Years of CoLABs: Impacts and Perspectives” took place at the Knowledge Pavilion, bringing together policymakers, management entities, public bodies, companies, and representatives of Collaborative Laboratories (CoLABs).
The event was organized by the Board of Directors of the CoLAB Forum, of which CoLABOR is a part.
This initiative was an opportunity to showcase the products, services, and solutions developed by the CoLABs over the past seven years, highlighting their contribution to innovation, competitiveness, and sustainability in various sectors of the economy.
Beyond the interactive exhibition with stands from the different CoLABs, the meeting promoted dialogue and the creation of synergies between the various laboratories, reinforcing collaboration and strategic alignment between institutions.
During the session, the main indicators of activity and impact of the CoLABs were presented, and multi-sectoral perspectives on their role in the national science and innovation ecosystem were discussed, focusing on topics such as socio-economic impact, internationalization, business competitiveness, technological innovation, and sustainability.
The two afternoon panels featured the participation of companies, partners, and management entities, who reflected on the impact generated so far and presented proposals to maximize the long-term contribution of CoLABs, both to the Portuguese economy and society.
The event also featured the presence of the Minister of Education, Science and Innovation, Fernando Alexandre, who gave the opening address, and the Secretary of State for the Economy, João Rui Ferreira, who was responsible for the closing remarks. Both visited the stands and learned more about the diversity of activities and products developed by the CoLABs.