Rui Marcelino is an engineer who believes that the AED Days, which will happen between May 30 and June 2, are a “unique opportunity to get up close and acquainted with what is already being done in our country.” The event includes conferences, workshops and networking moments.
Vice-president of AED, an association that involves over 100 Portuguese entities working in the aeronautics, space and defense sectors, Rui Marcelino explains that the AED Days arose from the need to “create a major national networking event for all the entities involved in these sectors”, where it would be possible to “debate, discuss and raise awareness about the challenges in these areas of activity.”
With a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, a master’s in transport design and a doctoral degree in design, Rui Marcelino, who is also founder, CEO and Design Manager of Almadesign, considers that the Oeiras City Council has been “one of the most relevant partners in recent years of the AED Days”, highlighting the “support in the promotion and diffusion of different initiatives.”
Learn more about the 10th year of the AED Days through the words of Rui Marcelino, the Face of Science who is vice-president of AED.
In what context did the AED Days come about?
The AED Days arose from the union of efforts of the national aeronautics, space and defense sectors, now gathered in the AED association. They were born to create a major national networking event for all entities involved in these sectors, to debate, discuss and raise awareness about the most relevant challenges in these areas of activity and, last but not the least, to spread word to the international community about the national activities and strengths in these sectors, stimulating the creation of research partnerships, business and bilateral investments. The origin of the AED Days was in the ASD Convention (the European counterpart of AED) which was held for the first time in Portugal, in 2012, and where I had the pleasure of being present as representative of the previous PEMAS – Portuguese Aerospace Industry Association. This year the AED Days will be held for the 10th time and I will be present as vice president of the AED, in charge of the aeronautics area.
What purposes and added value do the forums and conferences held during the AED Days represent for the aeronautics, space and defense sectors?
Three types of events are held during the AED Days. In the first two days, the conferences and workshops dedicated to the most relevant challenges of these sectors, counting with the participation of key national and international players from industry, academia, society and the government. The formal and informal networking moments, such as the B2B meetings, in which the development of research and business partnerships is encouraged. And on the fourth day, the Careers Forum dedicated to human resources, where bridges are created between the needs of companies and the highly qualified supply of professionals and students.
How can the industrial visits held at this event contribute to solving the challenges in these sectors?
Close contact with companies operating in Portugal is a unique opportunity to get up close with what is already being done in our country, to get acquainted with the real strengths of the companies attending the event, and to contemplate establishing future partnerships.
What advantages does the partnership with the Oeiras City Council present?
The Oeiras City Council is one of the most relevant partners the AED Days have had in recent years, not only for being the host municipality for the event, regularly held at Taguspark, but also for supporting the promotion and diffusion of the different initiatives taking place during this week. The geography and infrastructures offered by Oeiras contribute to this fact, as well as the many companies from these sectors based in the municipality and the extensive business and innovation ecosystem existing in the region. It is in this context that the company I represent is inserted. Almadesign is based in Oeiras and has intense activity in the Aeronautical sector, particularly in aircraft interior design.
What balance do you make of the AED Days that have taken place previously, and what do you think of this next one?
Since its inception, the AED Days have had a remarkable growing evolution and they are the largest dissemination and networking international forum of the Portuguese ASD sector. Last year, the AED Days had 670 participants, representing more than 300 companies from over 20 countries — a record compared to previous years and a milestone for the international promotion of our ASD sector. This year, we expect another success and surpassing this mark.
