On October 11, the China-Portugal Joint Institute for Climate and Energy was officially launched at the Instituto Superior Técnico (IST) in Lisbon, marking a significant step in the ongoing collaboration between China University of Petroleum (Beijing) and IST. The signing and unveiling ceremony was held in the presence of Chinese Ambassador to Portugal Zhao Bentang. Vice President Bao Zhidong of CUP and IST President Rogério Colaço signed the Memorandum of Understanding to formally establish the institute.

President Rogério Colaço extended his congratulations on the institute’s launch, commending the collaboration between young faculty from both universities. He expressed optimism that this partnership in climate and energy research would further strengthen ties between China and Portugal and foster meaningful academic exchanges.

Vice President Bao highlighted the importance of this partnership against the backdrop of global climate challenges, noting that 2024 marks the 45th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Portugal. He emphasized that both CUP and IST are leading institutions in the energy sector with a history of successful collaboration. The new joint institute, he remarked, is a milestone for Sino-Portuguese cooperation in education and technology, with the potential to advance talent development and research in carbon-neutral technologies, contributing positively to the global fight against climate change.

Ambassador Zhao Bentang delivered a congratulatory address, recognizing the importance both governments place on climate and energy research. He noted that this partnership represents a new chapter in China-Portugal relations and underscored the potential of the institute to bring together top scientific talent from both countries. He expressed his hope that the China-Portugal Joint Institute for Climate and Energy will become a hub for sustainable development efforts and a platform for mutual benefit.

In addition to the official signing, representatives from IST’s School of Mining and Energy, International Cooperation Office, and CERENA, along with delegates from the Chinese Embassy in Portugal and CUP’s School of Geosciences and Office of International Cooperation, attended the ceremony.

Founded in 1911, IST was Portugal’s largest and most prestigious technical university before merging with the University of Lisbon in 2013. In 2019, it joined the World Energy University Alliance, further expanding its international collaborations.