ISMT and AESL sign protocol to strengthen links between higher education and business

2025-12-18

The signing ceremony took place at the AESL headquarters, located at the Prof. Álvaro Viana de Lemos Museum in Lousã, representing a strategic step towards the social and economic development of the region.

The Instituto Superior Miguel Torga (ISMT) and the Associação Empresarial da Serra da Lousã (AESL) have formalised a collaboration protocol aimed at strengthening the relationship between academia and the business sector. The signing ceremony took place at the AESL headquarters, located at the Prof. Álvaro Viana de Lemos Museum in Lousã, representing a strategic step towards the social and economic development of the region.

The agreement establishes fundamental pillars of cooperation, most notably the creation of a Business Incubator in Lousã. This joint project between ISMT and AESL aims to support local entrepreneurship and provide technical support for new business ventures. Additionally, the partnership provides for the expansion of the educational offer in the territory through short-term courses, with training in "Family Businesses" being one of the first initiatives to be implemented to address the specific legal and practical aspects of this business model.

During the official ceremony, the president of AESL, Carlos Alves, underlined the importance of higher education being present in the territory to collaborate directly with companies. For ISMT, the president of the Board of Directors, Manuel Castelo Branco, reinforced the institution's identity as a school focused on the needs of the municipalities. Humberto Oliveira, vice-president of the Board of Directors, explained that the implementation will take place under the "Escola de Coimbra" brand, prioritising non-degree training. The first activities and the opening of the incubator are scheduled for early 2026.

Watch the video presentation of the protocol here: https://www.facebook.com/beiradigitaltv/videos/2001421060755398/