Município de Oeiras promotes visit by teachers from Ilha do Príncipe to the Técnico Polo de Oeiras
As part of the cooperation agreement between the Município de Oeiras and the Regional Government of Príncipe, a group of 15 primary school teachers from Ilha do Príncipe is in Portugal this week for a pedagogical and scientific exchange. The visit is part of the third phase of a training program promoted by the Education Department of the Câmara Municipal de Oeiras and included, this Monday, a stop at the Instituto Superior Técnico – Oeiras Campus.
This initiative aims to strengthen the strategic relationship between the Município de Oeiras and Ilha do Príncipe, promoting teacher literacy through direct engagement with educational and research institutions. The training was divided into three stages: it began with online sessions, followed by a two-week mission to Ilha do Príncipe involving five trainers, including Maria João Verdasca, coordinator of the “Engineering for All” project—a collaboration between Instituto Superior Técnico, INESC-ID and the Município de Oeiras.
During the visit to the Oeiras Campus, the teachers took part in a training session on Artificial Intelligence, led by researcher João Caldeira from GAIPS, where they explored educational and social applications of this emerging technology.
In the morning, the teachers also participated in a study involving robots, engaging in an interactive experience with the EMYS robot. The visit continued with a tour of the Social Robotics Laboratory (Gaips Lab) alongside researchers Miguel Belbute and Sandra Andrade, followed by a visit to the Bioengineering and Regenerative Medicine Laboratory at IBB, guided by researcher Diana Marques. The day concluded with an exploration of the NanoSat Lab and the Satellite Tracking Room, accompanied by Professor Gonçalo Tavares and researchers Pedro Amado and Manuel Santos, who showcased Técnico’s pioneering work in the development of nanosatellites and the monitoring of their orbits—a cutting-edge contribution to the space field in Portugal.
This teacher exchange marks another step in building bridges of cooperation among Portuguese-speaking regions, fostering a more global and innovative approach to education, contributing to teachers’ professional development, and ultimately enhancing the quality of education.