Universidade Católica Porto Signs Protocol with the IPBN

Exciting times are ahead!

On January 17, 2024 in Porto, IPBN Board Chair Geoffrey Graham, Chair of the IPBN Porto Committee John Paul Prior, and IPBN General Manager Arnold Delville represented the network to sign a protocol with Universidade Católica Portuguesa (UCP) Porto, represented by Isabel Braga da Cruz, Pro-rector of the Regional Center of Porto UCP, Dean of Católica Porto Business School Joao Pinto, and Alexandra Leitão, Associate Professor at UCP. 

The main goals of the protocol are to facilitate student placements with IPBN members in Portugal and Ireland, to develop partnerships between the UCP and Universities in Ireland, to champion innovation and sustainability and to create bridges in these two sectors between the academic and the business world with the IPBN, and to explore synergies and partnerships between the two countries in the textile and biotechnology industries, among others.

Isabel Braga da Cruz was quoted as saying that the signing of this protocol “reflects the Catholic University’s commitment to establishing a policy of partnerships and connection to the business community…We believe that partnerships have the power to strengthen us and bring us closer to business and society.”

The Catolica Porto Business School (CPBS) belongs to the UCP that combines academic excellence, Porto’s unique spirit and a global mindset. Its high-quality faculty has been recognized for their academic experience and relationship with the business community.

This has resulted in its status as an internationally triple-accredited Business School (AMBA, EQUIS and AACSB). The School's values, mission and vision are rooted in impactful innovation, connections with practice, and a global mindset, themes very much championed by the network.

The key areas the IPBN and UCP hope to make their collective mark is on sustainability and regeneration, in line with what is proposed by the European Green Deal. 

The protocol integrates the IPBN into the universe of around 70 signatory entities of INSURE.hub, a joint initiative of UCP in Porto - through the Escola Superior de Biotecnologia and Católica Porto Business School -, with Planetiers New Generation, at which national and international entities from the most diverse sectors have already joined. 

The INSURE Hub’s main objective is to create a vibrant international ecosystem of transdisciplinary knowledge that promotes business solutions with a circular, sustainable, and regenerative scope, powered by disruptive technologies. 

In the context of INSURE, we have already identified two programs, that will interest some of our members Chief Sustainability Officer (shorter) and Post-Graduation in Innovation for Sustainable Business & Regenerative Business (longer)

Now that the protocol has been signed, the IPBN and the UCP are already discussing how they can begin this important work. Future IPBN events, panels, and conversations will certainly be made richer by the signing of the agreement. IPBN members, UCP students and partners can develop initiatives of common interest together, not just to benefit each entity, but hopefully business and sustainability at large.