This memorandum of understanding signed between the two entities this Wednesday foresees the upgrading and monetising of the facilities on the ENIDH campus, for the benefit of the college community, the sports community and also local people.
Present for almost five decades in the municipality of Oeiras, the Escola Superior Náutica Infante D. Henrique (ENIDH) and Oeiras City Council have taken another step in strengthening relations by signing a memorandum of understanding on Wednesday.
The agreement, which falls under the umbrella of the “Science and Technology Strategy” developed by the Municipality of Oeiras, aims to breathe new life into the college campus, located in Paço de Arcos. Specifically through the upgrading of some of its infrastructures and also by providing the Municipality with access to a series of activities and spaces provided by the ENIDH within the context of sport, education, science, innovation and development.
In order to achieve this common objective, which will be developed by 2025, the Municipality of Oeiras estimates an investment of around 4 million euros.
For the President of the Maritime College, Luis Filipe Baptista, the signing of the agreement was an “eagerly awaited event”, which has finally happened “thanks to the efforts of this Executive”. “I am sure that this agreement will give new impetus to the future development of the College and will benefit the local community. It will enhance the region and enhance the blue economy and the maritime cluster”, he added.
The Mayor of Oeiras, Isaltino Morais, highlighted the fact that “this memorandum is not a one-off, it forms part of a ‘puzzle’ that we are putting together in the context of the consolidation of the Oeiras Valley brand, in which we plan to invest 400 million euros over the next six years”.
“I have no doubt that, six or seven years from now, what Oeiras will remember is this prioritisation of Education, Science, Research, Technology and all the investment we are making – which represents 1% (around € 2 million) of the municipal budget – in these areas, which no other municipality does”, added Isaltino Morais.
What the memorandum of understanding contemplates
The cooperation agreement signed between the two entities provides for concerted action on different fronts. First of all, the plan is to upgrade and monetise the facilities on the ENIDH campus, namely the swimming pool, the outdoor sports centre, the diving tank and the rowing tank. This upgrading will enhance the enjoyment of the school community, the sports community and also the local population in general.
Likewise, the cooperation agreement contemplates the upgrading and monetisation of the Student Residence, a 4-storey building with 116 beds, a cafeteria and a study room for use by ENIDH students.
Creating a Research, Innovation, Entrepreneurship and Incubation Hub, and providing new auditoriums on the college campus, are other measures planned.
Within the scope of the upgrading of landscaping and the improvement of accessibility and environmental quality, landscaping of the space next to the Estrada Marginal, the repaving of the streets of the college campus, the placement of waste collection points and the creation of a public car park in the western area of the College are also planned.
The creation of a Maritime Safety Park for use by ENIDH training and research, Civil Protection and the Fire Brigades of the Municipality of Oeiras and neighbouring areas, is also contemplated.
As regards the ENIDH, it will be responsible for promoting scientific, pedagogical, cultural, educational, artistic and civic events and activities for different audiences (the general public, schools and families) with a view to bringing the areas of knowledge and professions developed closer to society.
The cooperation agreement concluded also foresees, among others, enhanced visibility for the range of training offered by the ENIDH to students from Oeiras schools through the Oeiras Educa+ Programme, but also raises the profile of the College’s cooperation, innovation and internationalisation activities and its integration into the ecosystem of institutions that, through applications for projects such as the Fundo Azul, EEA GRANTS and Erasmus+, can promote common research activities at the institution, contributing to the wealth of the region.
