FCT – UNL place for the signature of the protocol that launches the basis for the Thematic Research Network

To promote research experiences on new digital systems for Portuguese university students in Sun Labs (California) and for researchers of Sun Labs and North-American universities in research centres in Portugal is the goal of the network that the Minister of Science, Technology and Higher Education (MCTES) and Sun Microsystems launched on the 10th February, through the signature of a protocol that took place at the Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia, Campus de Caparica.

The protocol was signed by the president of the Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT), João Sentieiro, the president of the Agência para a Sociedade do Conhecimento (UMIC), Luís Magalhães, and the General Manager of Sun Microsystems Portugal, Jorge Salamanca. The ceremony also had the presence of the Minister of Science, Technology and Higher Education, José Mariano Gago.

Sun Microsystems Research Network translates the interest of both parts in pre-competitive research development to extend the use of emerging digital technologies and the application of open codes, as well as in the reinforcement of knowledge on Unix and Solaris operative systems, multi-core processor architecture and related software, development of network and distributed computing systems, including forms of Grid computing and Cloud computing, and sensor-based network applications.

According to the protocol, the annual program of Research Stays sets the period of stay of Portuguese researchers at Sun Labs, in California, from 2 to 4 months and, reciprocally, the stay of Sun Labs and North-American universities researchers in Portuguese research centres.

In the same occasion, the Secretary of State for Employment and Professional Training, the Assistant Secretary of State for Education, the Minister of Science, Technology and Higher Education, the Coordinator of the Technological Plan and representatives of Sun Microsystems signed another memorandum of understanding that sets the implementation of the Sun Academic Initiative program, based on Sun Microsystems decision to give free access to their web-based courses to all education and training community.*

* Source: Press released by MCTES – Minister’s Office (translation by the Rectorate’s Communication Office)

More information at:
www.sun.pt/sai
www.sun.com