Welcome to the Official page of the Presidency of the Portuguese Republic

I am indeed pleased to join the presentation of the “IBM Scientific Prize”, here, in the Champalimaud Foundation, and our hostess, Ms. Leonor Beleza, whom I very warmly greet.

I also wish to acclaim and congratulate IBM Portugal on the 25th anniversary of this prestigious Scientific Prize, the purpose of which is to distinguish state of the art work in the field of Computer Science. It is a well-deserved recognition.

The IBM Scientific Prize, which pioneered the incentive and the dissemination of young Portuguese researchers, is the live testimony of the stake this company has consistently placed to benefit the culture of science in our Country.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

A society’s degree of scientific culture is judged, above all, by how the knowledge and techniques based upon it are reflected on its daily life, on its economy and on its social organization.

Modern society has recorded a vivid development, thus deeply changing our societies and our way of life.

The accumulated scientific knowledge and its application as technological tools have allowed admirable feats and, as never in any other period in the history of humanity, have improved the people’s quality of life and well-being.

The impact of science on society is nowadays very visible. In terms of health and life expectancy, in the progress of educational levels and productivity in work, in communications and transport, in computing, we find, wherever we glimpse, real civilizational conquests which we owe to science and scientific knowledge.

There is thus no surprise in the relevance attributed to science, to scientists, to scientific knowledge and to its application in technology.

In addition to techniques, to scientific knowledge or methods, it is important to consider the inherent values of scientific spirit and its impact on society. At once, because science encourages critical thought through observation, experimenting, questioning and doubting. Science is also, in a large measure, and interactive platform, a dialogue of learning amongst many human beings.

Within scientific spirit, controversy is resolved, not by force, but by knowledgeable discussion. Science is built not by authoritative opinions, but by cooperation and mutual respect.

These are values that our societies should more intensively cultivate. A more democratic and open society is also a more scientific society. In turn, a more scientific society is a more rational and freer society.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

In only one generation, Portugal was able to overcome a large portion of its structural scientific backwardness as compared with the remaining European countries.

Portugal is, in fact, in Europe, a case of progress, in a relatively short period, in issues of science and technology.

Portuguese universities and their researchers are akin with international peers in many areas of knowledge.

The quality of our science and of our scientists is, undoubtedly, a very positive result from the stakes placed by public investment in scientific and technological sciences.

This development, which was based on a growing access to higher education, resulted in a consistent growth in the number of PhDs and post graduates and in the increase in the quantity and quality of scientific production.

It may well be stated that that the main results of public investment in science and technology was in the improvement in the capability to educate and prepare the new generations.

The strengthening of scientific and technological capability also makes itself felt in the increasing proximity and advantageous relationship between universities and companies.

Although it is true that some distancing still exists between higher education institutions and companies, this approximation has however witnessed a dynamism and a success that makes this trend irreversible.

It would thus be desirable and expected that the activity and the production of knowledge by the scientific community would be more than ever present in our entrepreneurial fabric, benefiting the creation of wealth and employment.

Public policies pursued in the last decades enabled strengthening the national system of science and technology.

The promotion of scientific culture, the capacity of human resources, the strengthening of academic institutions and the internationalization of the platforms for the production of knowledge were some of the features where these policies where these policies had a most beneficial incidence.

The introduction of external independent assessment was an important tool to guarantee scientific quality as an essential premise for the system’s development, including its financing.

In this context, the higher education institutions knew how to become developed within a framework of reinforced autonomy and responsibility, promoting a greater opening to society. It is their prime responsibility to have an instrumental role in the promotion and dissemination, not just of knowledge, but also of culture and scientific spirit.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

In this presentation ceremony of the IBM Scientific Prize, which attains today its 25th anniversary, we also celebrate the binding of a centenary and worldwide company, which commenced its activities in our Country 77 years ago, and which has provided an exceptional contribution for the development of the information technologies industry, for the modernization of our business community and of our Public Administration and, as well, for the industrialization of service centres and the creation of qualified work stations.

Equally unquestionable is IBM’s contribution towards the development of the national scientific and technological system, especially in the field of scientific calculation.

This IBM Scientific Prize, instituted in 1990 is, on its own, an historical record of that contribution and of its very material results. 330 candidacies were presented for this Prize over 25 years!

I thus very poignantly greet the long term vision and the firm commitment to economic and social development demonstrated in IBMs activities.

I have long emphasized the relevance of companies’ commitments with qualified employment, with education and training, fundamental pillars of a more prosperous, equitable and cohesive society.

I naturally want to congratulate the winner of this 25th edition of the IBM Scientific Prize, Professor Doctor Ricardo Silveira Cabral, for the quality of his work and greet all other competitors. To the Chairman of the Jury, Professor Carlos Salema, a word of esteem for the notable task carried out throughout these years in the strict assessment of the contents of the many candidacies presented.

To you all, scientists, researchers, students, lecturers and entrepreneurs, my very best thanks. On behalf of Portugal and the Portuguese, my grateful thanks for your talent and your work.