International programs mark the week at PCT Guamá

The Science and Technology Park (PCT) Guamá hosted, from Monday (13) to Friday (17), initiatives with international representation focused on discussions about climate and innovation and sustainability initiatives in the Amazon. The week began with the opening of the AI Climate Institute Pilot Workshop and concluded with the Sustainability Talk, in addition to a visit from a delegation of representatives from the Czech Republic to the Park's laboratories focused on bioeconomy.

AI Climate Institute Pilot Workshop

The AI Climate Institute held five days of activities in the auditorium of the complex. The program, which will be officially launched during COP30 in November in Belém, brought together Brazilian and foreign experts in lectures, case studies, technical visits, and debates on the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in mitigating and adapting to climate change.

Participants experienced an immersion in topics such as AI applied to energy, agriculture, forests, biodiversity, and disaster management, as well as discussions on ethics and responsibility in the use of technology.

On the last day of the program, this Friday (17), the group visited laboratories in the Park that stand out in research and innovation, such as the Center of Excellence in Energy Efficiency of the Amazon (Ceamazon) and the High-Performance Computing and Artificial Intelligence Center (CCAD-IA), both linked to the Federal University of Pará (UFPA), as well as the regional unit of the National Institute for Space Research (Inpe) Amazon.

According to Renata Guedes, senior researcher at ITS Rio and organizer of the event, holding the meeting at PCT Guamá was essential to bring science, technology, and sustainability closer together. “PCT Guamá was a fundamental partner, offering not only structure but the opportunity to see Amazonian innovation in practice. Bringing this event to Belém reinforces the region's role as a protagonist in discussions about climate, technology, and sustainability,” she stated.

Pedro Ivo Ferraz da Silva, coordinator of Scientific and Technological Affairs at the Climate Department of the Itamaraty, also highlighted the Park's prominence. “This integration with regional institutions and authorities strengthens the construction of AI-based solutions to face climate change. The Park plays an essential role by hosting agents like Inpe and other initiatives that collaborate with data and strategic projects that guide decision-making,” he emphasized.

Sustainability Talk

Also on Friday (17), PCT Guamá hosted the Sustainability Talk, an event focused on dialogue about sustainable biotechnological innovations in the Amazon. The program brought together researchers from the Pará ecosystem, representatives from the Senai Institute of Innovation in Mineral Technologies (ISI-TM), and Laurentian University (LU-Canada), institutions that work on high-complexity applied research aimed at the sustainable development of the productive sector.

The initiative was organized by the Amazon Oils Laboratory (LOA) and the Genetics and Cell Biology Laboratory (GenBioCel), both from UFPA and residents of the Park.

“We promoted a conversation about the potential of Amazonian products, waste valorization, strengthening of socio-bioeconomy, and biotechnological use of microorganisms. This network of local and international partnerships amplifies the impact of research developed in the region,” highlighted Luís Adriano Nascimento, vice-coordinator of LOA.

Among the projects presented, the initiative ‘Microalgae and cyanobacteria as tools for biosorption of essential metals in environmental bioremediation and production of biocompounds’ stood out, approved by the National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq) and developed in collaboration between LOA and GenBioCel.

“This project is reaching new heights. We are working with Senai to initiate a more complex collaboration, as they have a structure that perfectly complements the level of research and innovation we develop here in the Amazon,” explained Renata Noronha, coordinator of GenBioCel.

Delegation from the Czech Republic

Alongside the events, PCT Guamá also received, on Friday (17), a delegation from the Czech Republic, composed of representatives from academic institutions and the productive sector. The group visited the Amazon Oils Laboratory (LOA) and the Center for Agro-food Valorization of Bioactive Compounds of the Amazon (Cvacba) to learn about technological innovation models and identify possibilities for bilateral cooperation in science and sustainability.

Peter Suchi, vice-rector for Internationalization and External Relations at Masaryk University, highlighted the relevance of the visit and the potential for future partnerships. “I was very impressed with what I saw at PCT Guamá. I believe there are great opportunities for cooperation between our universities and research teams, especially in the areas of environment, sustainability, and support for local communities,” he stated.

Reference in innovation in the Amazon

PCT Guamá is an initiative of the government of Pará, through the State Secretariat of Science, Technology and Higher, Professional and Technological Education (Sectet), in partnership with UFPA and the Federal Rural University of the Amazon (Ufra), and managed by the Guamá Foundation.

It is the first technological park in the Northern region of Brazil and aims to stimulate applied research and innovative and sustainable entrepreneurship to improve the quality of life of the population.

Located on the banks of the Guamá River, which gives its name to the complex, PCT is situated between the campuses of the two universities and has an ecosystem rich in biodiversity, extending over 72 hectares, designated for buildings and the Environmental Protection Area (APA) of the Metropolitan Region of Belém.

The complex has more than 90 companies among residents and associates, 17 laboratories with over 400 researchers, 44 patents, and a technical school.

PCT Guamá is part of the National Association of Promoters of Innovative Enterprises (Anprotec) and the International Association of Science Parks and Areas of Innovation (Iasp), and is part of the largest innovation ecosystem in the world.