A message from MPP Directors : Happy Holidays!

2020 has been an extremely challenging year for everyone. Our lives have been dramatically changed in ways we could have never imagined. Although we’ll continue to face challenges into 2021, we will face them with strength, resilience and more confidence knowing there’s a bright light ahead.
Reflecting on 2020, the MIT Portugal team is proud of the many accomplishments that will carry forward into the coming years of the Program:

• The kick-off of 7 large flagship projects, representing a financial commitment of more than 15 M€ across the strategic domains of the Program;
• The AI Moonshot Challenge team victory by MIT Portugal’s Project SMART;
• The launch of a call for 40 PhD scholarships and the announcing of its preliminary results.

This year forced us to make some challenging adaptations. As a program, we have always worked hard to develop new and exciting initiatives throughout the year. These initiatives usually involve physically bringing people together to foster new connections. This year we were forced to pivot away from our usual strategy, moving most of our events to virtual platforms. As with most international programs, MIT Portugal strengthened its digital capabilities this year. For the first time, we held our Annual Conference in a hybrid format with in-person and online participation. Although driven to do so by the restrictions of COVID-19, we found that by broadcasting the conference via an open streaming platform we welcomed attendees from all around the world.

The holidays evoke hope and wishes for the year ahead. As a Program, we wish for an end to this life-altering pandemic and hope that we can convene in a more peaceful and kinder world in the near future. 

Until that time, happy holidays to you and your loved ones.

Stay safe.