The National Research Fund (FNI) of Mozambique, the Foundation for Scientific and Technological Development (Fundecit) of Angola and the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) of Portugal highlighted the need for greater cooperation, during a seminar under the theme "Science and technology financing for the benefit of communities" in Maputo.
"We consider that the academic and scientific communities of Angola, Mozambique and Portugal should further strengthen their interinstitutional interaction and coordination mechanisms, aiming for greater collaboration and harmonization of good practices", said Lúcia Silva, deputy national director of Science and Technology of Mozambique.
Silva stated that cooperation must focus on producing scientific solutions useful to the reality and challenges of each country.
"Scientific production must be at the service of society" and "this principle must always guide countries' scientific and technological development practices and policies", she added.
Rosa Maurício, deputy general director of Fundecit, defended the advancement of science, technology and innovation for the benefit of communities, highlighting the importance of exchanging experiences on best practices in this field.
"Our communities are the foundation of society and progress in science, technology and innovation plays a crucial role in improving their living conditions," emphasized Maurício.
Tiago Saborida, head of the FCT's International Cooperation Division, referred to the importance of scientific research taking into account the needs of communities, maintaining that advances in this field have created concrete results in the social and economic areas.
"The contribution of science to society is unquestionable, as it enables advances in the fields of health, food, environment, technology, energy, among others", highlighted Saborida.
From its conception, he continued, scientific research must take into account the benefits for society, but without compromising the autonomy of researchers.
