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Ideas for content and programs 

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Leadership

An important goal of MITP is to have its educational programs produce people capable of leading change in their fields. In one focus area, Bio Engineering, students have had in-person leadership training with MIT Prof. Dava Newman. Prof. Newman is interested in expanding this program to other students when possible, and certainly intensive in-person experiences like this are of great impact. But several groups within MIT wish to experiment with leadership initiatives delivered through virtual means, particularly such virtual worlds as Second Life, or as a hybrid of in-person and virtual delivery. I am exploring such opportunities and hope to develop a sense through initial meetings with MITP students what leadership qualities they think are most necessary/helpful in your work and professional/personal development; what leadership roles you have had so far; and how you could see leadership programs integrated into your work in the Program.

Team building and effective work in teams 

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work in teams

Two of the four focus areas require their students to do work in teams, often at a distance. Effective teamwork is increasingly vital as a skill for researchers and those who lead research-intensive projects. Yet these skills are not always taught explicitly in one's first or second degrees. I would like to explore what aspects of teamwork have been most necessary or missing for you so far in the Program.  

Connection to young researchers worldwide

MITP looks to raise the international profile of the research conducted in Portugal, and between Portugal and MIT. For those of you who are Portuguese, various networks of Portuguese researchers around the world are eager to connect with you, such as PAPS and FIIP (see links below). I hope that the virtual platform we develop to support and disseminate your work makes such connections more possible. Of course connecting to MIT and to other international networks is also a goal.