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By Diana Viegas*
Since I graduated I was connected to INESC Porto. The
contact began with the graduation project and then I
continued with a research scholarship. For me, INESC Porto
was, at the time, the role model of what a research
laboratory should be and how it should work.
It should be noted that, as a physicist and collaborator
at the Optoelectronics and Electronic Systems Unit (UOSE),
my vision of INESC Porto is bound to the Department of
Physics of the Faculty of Sciences (FCUP) in Rua do Campo
Alegre.
I must say that my first experience in INESC Porto was
terrifying. Alone, in a cold and impersonal laboratory,
filled with lasers, fibers, optical tables and…working in
the dark. I love my work, but the truth is working with
optics sometimes has its disadvantages. One of them is the
fact that, sometimes, I had to work with no lights.
Considering this scenery, very unpleasant at first, I slowly
began to find out how my colleagues’ aid can become a
determining factor to the success of our work. I can say the
team spirit is there and it’s working inside the UOSE.
Although this experience was a bit rocky at first,
nothing stopped my passion for Physics, for Research and for
Knowledge. During my MSc I had the chance to meet other
research environments, connected to the theme of my
dissertation. This experience showed me that the environment
in INESC Porto (I speak for my own experience) is unique. In
FCUP everyone knows me already…Some because I was a student,
others because they have seen me there for some years. UOSE
is relatively small so we all end up acting like a big
family, in which the team spirit and the mutual help are
always present.
I’m happy to be in contact with Physics and the research
environment, to be connected to extraordinary people,
personal and professional-wise, and to be part of such an
Institution that welcomes and that is free to instruct the
new elements that arrive here. I’m sorry that UOSE is
separated from the rest of the Units, but in spite of the
physical distance, I think this barrier has been overcome,
through several activities the INESC Porto has promoted,
like the football tournament, the photo exhibition and
recently, the encounter that celebrated INESC Porto’s 20th
anniversary. I can’t help but congratulate, once again, the
people responsible for this initiative and for all the
entertaining/cultural activities.
I should state, once more, that the gathering at Quinta
de Segade was, undoubtedly, an excellent way of meeting
those people who pass by us in the halls, but that we don’t
even know! INESC Porto involves so many people that I
believe it was a great solution to promote the sociability
among the members of this institution, especially among
people in different units that didn’t know each other.
It’s because of this passion for knowledge, because of my
relation with science and investigation and mainly because
of this amazing working environment that I say that I love
what I do and I thank everyone who made it possible. Thank
you all!
A word from
the reader's ombudsmaN
Hi, Diana It’s so good to read an opinion that does
wonders to our ego!...
What you say is so obvious that it’s amazing how it is
not a priority in most of the places you know (and I know):
that the institutional culture, granting efficiency to the
organization, is a part of our contribution to the personal
happiness of each one of us.
And it is, actually, a distinguishing factor. Visitors,
or post-PhDs, or students that pass by us, have been
unanimous: INESC Porto provides an excellent personal
environmental. Almost unique. Distinguishing because it’s
characterized by an intense solidarity and cooperation,
unlike other places where the individualism and competition
rule as if co-workers were opponents.
And those who have already left us, what do they think?
Recently, I have collected the opinion of a Brazilian man
who has just received his PhD in INESC Porto, and went back
to his home country: his home institution is so different
from INESC Porto, and he misses the environment he had here
(never neglecting the affections he has also has there) – he
wishes to turn his place into something similar to ours…
Further more: INESC Porto is priceless when it comes to
building the bridge between Engineering and Sciences. It is
a rather successful bridge, and that is due not only to the
Asprela side but also to the ever so discerning management
of the UOSE unit, in this area. Consequently, have you ever
thought that, in the International Year of Physics, we (we,
INESC Porto) were able to show the Portuguese society, the
young people who are part of it, that being a Physicist is
not incompatible with technology and business and making
money and leading an entrepreneur life? After all, isn’t the
creation of Fibersensing SA a living proof of that? And how
did we manage that? I’ll tell you: in the good hybrid of the
capacities and cultures of the Sciences and Engineering,
consolidated in this daily miracle called INESC Porto.
It’s great that you’re one of our own...it’s great that
we’re all a part of you.
* Collaborator in Optoelectronics and
Electronic Systems Unit (UOSE)
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