The international internship programme, co-financed by COMPETE 2030, is now in its 27th edition, with 90 young people taking part under the motto ‘Strengthening the Economy with Talent and Innovation’.
The 27th edition of the INOV Contacto programme, which is now underway for 90 young people, is being held under the motto ‘Strengthening the Economy with Talent and Innovation’, expressing the quality of national talent and its transformative power over the national economy.
This edition of INOV Contacto has been revamped with an increase in the internship period from 6 to 9 months, allowing for a greater depth of skills and international experience for the participants, a greater focus on technological areas and a strong link between academia and companies. Business Sciences, Engineering and Social and Behavioural Sciences are the main areas of training for these young people who will now deepen their knowledge in the internships they will carry out in 63 host organisations in 21 markets.
The President of COMPETE 2030, Alexandra Vilela, said at the opening of the INOV Contacto Empresas Campus on 14 January that the INOV Contacto programme ‘is a fundamental instrument for enhancing Portuguese higher education’, which is increasingly distinguished internationally.
For Alexandra Vilela, INOV Contacto is a measure in line with COMPETE’s strategy to help strengthen the internationalisation of Portuguese higher education and a showcase for the quality of Portuguese university graduates.
‘INOV Contacto, co-financed by COMPETE 2030, is more than an internship programme – it’s an engine of competitiveness for Portugal,’ says Alexandra Vilela.
The 90 young people attending the 27th edition of INOV Contacto will strengthen their internationalisation skills to help internationalise the Portuguese economy and take on the role of ambassadors for their country, helping to promote national skills and serving as a radar to detect opportunities for the country.
The INOV Contacto Programme is an AICEP initiative that has transformed the career paths of thousands of young people with higher education, making a decisive contribution to the internationalisation of the Portuguese economy. INOV Contacto has already trained more than 6000 young people and involved 1385 host organisations.
It is the only programme to train young people with higher education in internationalisation skills in Portugal and has high satisfaction and employability rates. 91% of young people who attend the internship find a job afterwards and 95% of young people who complete the internship are satisfied with the experience.