The Council of Ministers today approved the regime for the new Technological Plan Coordination Unit that sets out the organism’s objectives, competences and organic structure.
As previously reported, this entity will have the mission of “global coordination of a set of transversal measures and policies», detailed the Minister of Economy, in a press conference.
Without giving any details, Manuel Pinho explained that this organization will have responsibilities in establishing the map of government actions in the technological and innovation areas, with a view to strengthening the conditions of competitiveness of the economy and economic growth.
Manuel Pinho also said that the coordinator responsible for the direction of this body has already been chosen by the Prime Minister and will take office next week.
The position will be the responsibility of José Tavares, an academic, who will maintain those responsibilities throughout the government legislature.
For the execution of the technological plan, defined in the Socialist Government Program, the Coordination Unit also intends to count on an Advisory Council that should bring together international names linked to prestigious organizations in the area of ​​innovation.
Manuel Pinho admits to having already thought of some names, but refers to a later moment the presentation of the list of members.
The weekly meeting of the Council of Ministers also approved a resolution that creates the INOV Contacto Program, an international internship initiative for young graduates or graduates in vocational education.
The initiative restructures an existing program with the same name (Contacto) but according to Manuel Pinho «it is more ambitious in terms of monitoring the young people involved and the number of recipients it intends to cover».
The new version of the program aims to reach 500 young people, already in a first phase, who will receive local training, followed by an internship abroad in the areas of economics, management and marketing, engineering, science and technology and design.
The target persons may already exercise professional or technical functions in the labor market.
The initiative is financed by community funds and has a budget of 25 million euros to carry out internships in Shanghai, Helsinki, SĂŁo Paulo, Austin, San Francisco or Seoul.
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