The EngIQ Doctoral and Advanced Training Program celebrated its 15th anniversary with an event organized jointly by APQuímica, the EngIQ Directorate, and Galp, as the host company, at the Sines Refinery.
The “15 years of EngIQ” event aimed to highlight a unique Academia-Industry connection in the country, projecting it into the future during a time of significant transformation in the chemical industry in Portugal, Europe, and the world, with innovative projects led by the sector. This includes, for example, green hydrogen, the lithium battery value chain for electric vehicles, CO2 capture and utilization, as well as other circular economy projects, biochemistry/biotechnology, and new materials.
At the Sines Complex, the EngIQ community – more than 80 PhDs and doctoral students, the five largest chemical engineering schools in the country and their research units, and more than 15 industrial sector companies, including large corporations, SMEs, and startups – had the opportunity to visit the Refinery and the Prof. Ramôa Ribeiro Research Center.
In the conference room, speeches were made by Cristina Cachola and Ana Casaca, responsible for the Refining and Innovation areas at Galp, respectively; Luís Gomes, President of APQuímica; and Professors Fernando Gomes Martins and Sebastião Feyo de Azevedo from the Faculty of Engineering of the University of Porto, who are current and former directors of the EngIQ academic program. The floor was then given to the main protagonists of EngIQ – students (both alumni and current), companies, and universities.
In two complementary sessions, testimonials were heard, experiences shared, and perspectives on future evolution were discussed, with the goal of projecting the EngIQ Program into the future. It is unanimously considered a success story that should be preserved and strengthened.
The strong and ongoing commitment of the A4F group to the EngIQ program was once again demonstrated, particularly by the fact that Biotrend currently hosts two PhD students conducting research at Biocant Park.
As in previous moments when the EngIQ faced complex phases (2018-2019) until the current protocol between APQuímica and the Foundation for Science and Technology was renewed, the A4F group reaffirmed its unconditional support for the program and its future development, in the successful form in which it is now operating.
This defense of EngIQ and its commitment were clearly highlighted in the speeches of Bruno Sommer Ferreira, CEO of Biotrend, a guest on one of the panels: “From the A4F group’s side, we maintain our ongoing commitment to the EngIQ program and our role as host entities.”
This translates, as the executive stated, “into access to infrastructures, know-how, and other resources,” offering the opportunity to “work on complex topics with practical applications in the business world, whether to solve pressing issues or to pioneer knowledge leading to new business opportunities.”
Bruno Sommer Ferreira confessed that he was “impressed” by the metrics presented, which, as he commented, “show that a focused program is instrumental in the training and retention of highly qualified human resources in our economic fabric, something that should be a strategic option, going beyond the phase of investing in qualifications as an end in itself.”
What is EngIQ?
Now in its 16th edition, EngIQ is a postgraduate study program and a platform for research in the fields of refining engineering, petrochemicals, and chemistry (www.eng-iq.pt).
Its objectives are to support the increased competitiveness of companies operating in Portugal by integrating PhD students into a business environment and to promote specialized knowledge in these areas.
EngIQ includes a doctoral program and an advanced training course, designed to meet the training needs in relevant knowledge and business areas where several national and international companies operate in Portugal.
In its first 15 editions (2009-2023), EngIQ admitted 82 PhD students, with 47 completing their projects and obtaining their doctorate. In the companies, 153 employees attended advanced training courses and tailored modules.
This program has unique characteristics, as it is based on an innovative partnership between the five largest Chemical Engineering schools in the country and their R&D areas (University of Aveiro, University of Coimbra/FCT, University of Lisbon/IST, NOVA University of Lisbon/FCT, and University of Porto/FEUP), and the industrial companies associated with APQuímica.
Among the companies involved are Biotrend, A4F Alga Fuel, and HyChem, alongside Galp, Bondalti, EuroResinas/SonaeArauco, Cires, Repsol Polímeros, Hovione, Smallmatek, and Sika, among others.
With doctoral topics proposed by companies (demand-driven) and mostly developed in an industrial environment, EngIQ has recorded an employability rate close to 100% over its 15 years of activity. It is a recognized Portuguese case study at the European level for its Academia-Industry connection, knowledge transfer, and the integration of PhDs into the business sector.
