The 2024 edition of the CICECO Journeys - Aveiro Institute of Materials took place on October 10, near the Aveiro North School (ESAN). For the first time, the event was held in Oliveira de Azeméis, a region strongly characterized by the interaction between CICECO's stakeholders and the business and industrial sectors.

Iniciative video can be seen here.

Throughout the day, over three hundred participants gathered at the Oliveira de Azeméis Municipal Theater, with more than 45 registrants from companies and technological centers. Under the motto "Connecting Minds, Creating Progress," this year's Journeys focused on discussing innovative solutions to tackle the challenges of sustainable development—priorities that guide CICECO's research mission and shape the industrial and business landscape of the region.

The opening session featured the presence of Paulo Jorge Ferreira, Rector of the University of Aveiro; Inês Lamego, councilwoman of Oliveira de Azeméis City Hall; João Coutinho, Director of CICECO – Aveiro Institute of Materials, and Martinho Oliveira, director of ESAN - Aveiro North School.

The program included a round table on the theme “Linking Innovation and Sustainability,” moderated by Vitor Ferreira, President of the Portuguese Sustainable Habitat Cluster. Participants included Paulo Magalhães, R&D and Open Innovation Manager at Sonae Arauco; Jean Paul Cadoret, Vice-President of EABA and Chief Scientific Officer at ALGAMA; Nuno Castanheira, Innovation Strategy Lead at Galp; Marisa Almeida, Coordinator of the Sustainability Department at CTCV; and Jorge Brandão, Executive Board Member of CCDR-Centro.

Paula Roque, Managing Partner at REVIGRÉS, was named an honorary member of CICECO. João Coutinho, CICECO's director, highlighted Paula's role in promoting significant advancements in the management of the ceramic materials industry, driving sector transformation, and fostering relationships between industry and academia. By conferring this honorary title, CICECO recognized the importance of advanced materials in society and in addressing urgent challenges related to sustainability and the transition to a greener economy.

A second round table took place, analyzing and discussing the future of materials and the evolution of technology. The panel was moderated by José Maria Albuquerque, President of the Materials School of the Order of Engineers, and brought together figures from science, public policy, and industry. The session featured Sofie Nørager, Policy Officer at the European Commission; Ricardo Simões, Head of Innovation at CCDR-Norte; João Fragoso, Sales Area Manager at Deibar; Marc Gardon, Business Director at Renishaw; Júlio Grilo and João Vieira, Head of Research & Innovation and Additive Manufacturing Manager at Simoldes Group. Academia was also represented by João Tedim, Associate Professor in the Department of Materials and Ceramic Engineering; Luís Carlos, Full Professor in the Department of Physics; and João Rocha, Full Professor in the Department of Chemistry and Coordinator of the Associated Laboratories Council.

The day was also marked by two poster sessions from the CICECO community, culminating in the award for the best poster and the announcement of the “CICECO Young Researcher” prize. In 2024, the award-winning researchers were Ana Rita Almeida, Ana M. C. Ferreira, Idalina Gonçalves, and Nuno Gonçalves. The pitch session among doctoral students also stood out, with the best presentation award going to Sílvio Abrantes. The prize for best poster was awarded by Helder Baptista, Maria Mendes, Ariana Santos e bruno Ladeira. 

The closing moments of the day included a musical performance by Sónia Valverde Sobral and Patrícia Lestre Silva with the Salverde project, and a closing speech by Joaquim Jorge, Mayor of Oliveira de Azeméis.

The organizing committee for the CICECO Journeys 2024 was led by Carla Vilela, Sónia Patrício, and Sónia Ventura.

Thank you for support: Simoldes, Paralab, Termolab, Gomensoro, ddviagens, Q'viagem!, Caravela - agência de viagens, Dias de Sousa, Fundação Jaqueline Dias de Sousa, Azeméis é vida, Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia.