Scientists from around 30 countries will gather in September of 2010, at Ponta Delgada, for the International Congress of Extremophiles, the Regional Secretary for Science, Technology and Infrastructures said.

According to José Contente, the organisation of this congress in the Azores has to do with the fact that the archipelago is “a region that is fertile in the development and growth of Extremophile micro-organisms.”

Speaking at a press conference in Ponta Delgada, José Contente highlighted the importance that this congress has for the Region and said that this is an area of specific interest to the Azores given that one can find throughout the islands places where these micro-organisms grow and develop.

Extremophiles are living organisms, whose potential is not being exploited in the Azores, José Contente said. He added that it is important to “create in the Azores an atmosphere that welcomes such questioning, which may make new contributions to science, development and for the emergence of a knowledge-based society.”

This congress will bring new advantages and resources, in addition to the exchange of ideas and contacts among world-class scientists and those of the University of Azores.

José Contente also said that he intends to make a substantial investment in the Regional Technological and Scientific System. He underlined the increase of 16% in funds allocated to science and technology in this years’ governmental budget.

He said, “We are committed to creating in the Azores, on par with tourism and agriculture, another pillar for the development of the regional economy, one that   may connect this economy to scientific knowledge and innovation.”

He added that the Regional Technological and Scientific System contemplates the internationalisation of Azorean research and development units that are associated with the University of the Azores, which, in his view, continues to play a preeminent role in the search of scientific solutions for the problems fo the Region.

He argued that “it is on the basis of scientific knowledge and technology that the Azores can move forward into modernity, deepen citizenship, and edify and preserve our values as well as ensuring the well-being of our populations.”

He mentioned several initiatives already undertaken, namely, the station from the European Space Agency of Santa Maria Island; the meteorological station to be installed in the island of Graciosa and the new Geo-thermal and Geo-desic stations in the islands of Santa Maria, São Miguel and Flores.