The Regional Secretary for the Sea, Science and Technology stated in Ponta Delgada that "the history of the University of the Azores, which celebrates 40 years, is intertwined with the history of Autonomy," pointing out that the university "is a pillar of the Region's development."
 
Fausto Brito e Abreu spoke at the signing of the agreement for the transfer of the buildings that make up the University Campus of Ponta Delgada to the University of the Azores. The ceremony was chaired by Vice-President of the Regional Government, Sérgio Ávila.
 
Brito e Abreu stressed that the property transfer agreement signed today, "which increases the assets of the University if the Azores by 12.5 million Euros." This measure falls under "the effort that the Government has undertaken over these 40 years to maintain a close relations" with this institution.
 
In this context, the Secretary for Science assured that, although the Azorean Government does not have jurisdiction on Higher Education, "the Regional Government has never ceased to consider its University."
 
"The National Government is responsible for financing the University of the Azores. However, the Regional Government has made a great effort to maintain the support in several areas over the past four years," the government official said, pointing out the tenders to support scientific research centres, the support to the operation of research centres and the allocation of advanced training grants.
 
According to Brito e Abreu, the support allocated by the Regional Government to the University of the Azores corresponded to 7.6 million Euros between 2012 and 2016. It should be regarded as "an investment in the development of the Region."
 
In his speech, the Regional Secretary for Science emphasised the importance of the University of the Azores in various fields, "which allows Azorean students to graduate in the Region while attracting people from all over the world to pursue their higher education in the Azores." He also noted that the university is a scientific research institution "with a growing number of scientific publications recognised internationally."
 
Moreover, the government official emphasised the importance of Science for the region, reminding that the Azores are thousands of kilometres away from the main markets and, therefore, have to "invest in an increasingly knowledge-based economy."
 
According to Brito e Abreu, the Regional Government is one of the major clients of the University of the Azores, commissioning "many scientific studies" that contribute to "the development of various regional policies."
 
In addition to investments in the University and the increase of its scientific skills, the Regional Secretary said the Azorean Government has "tried to establish direct bridges between this institution and the business world," pointing out the creation of NONAGON and TERINOV technology parks in Lagoa and Angra do Heroísmo, respectively.
 
Brito e Abreu also recalled the support scheme in force for scientific research projects in business context, which "allows any Azorean company to partner with the University of the Azores and its research centres and, thus, apply for support under a financial envelope of two million Euros."