The first workshop of the Center for Convergence of Santa Catarina in Aerospace Technologies (SC2C.Aero) marks the end of the one year work cycle, in the search for gathering and identifying new competencies in the area. The activities are ongoing and a new phase will begin in the second half of 2018.

On May 3 and 4, 84 people had the opportunity to accompany the end of the Center of Convergence of Santa Catarina in Aerospace Technologies’ (SC2C.Aero) first year cycle. The event was marked by the first workshop of the initiative, an event hosted by the Federal University of Santa Catarina (UFSC), bringing together representatives from industries, companies, research institutes and governments in Brazil and Sweden.

In addition to the workshop, another highlight of the first day was the round table discussion with industry representatives. Embraer Vice President of Technology Development Daniel Moczydlower and Saab Aeronautics Technology Officer Lisa Åbom presented the main demands of aerospace companies to the public. There was also another round table, shared by representatives of the governments of both countries.

On the second day, the participants were able to attend a speech by Innovair, coordinator of the actors in the Swedish aeronautics sector, who presented an overview in the area of ​​research and prospecting of innovations in the sector. Then, there were visits to research groups and companies from Santa Catarina. For Lisa Åbom, the visits allowed greater approximation between industry and academia. She says she believes this type of action is “a fantastic chance” to bridge the gap between the parties involved. “Several opportunities can be found at these meetings,” she adds.

Victor de Negri, UFSC professor and creator of SC2C.Aero, celebrates the results of these two days of activities. “The comments we heard were very positive. It was an important opportunity for strengthening networking and for the participants to know the demands of the industry and the solutions proposed,” he says. “The goal of the event has been fully achieved,” he adds.

De Negri explains that the workshop marked the end of the first cycle of SC2C.Aero, that started in November with the mapping of industry demands made from visits to companies in Santa Catarina and the region of São José dos Campos (SP). During the period, there were also visits to the Swedish embassy and to the ministries of Science and Technology and Defense, in Brasilia.

The second step was to map supply. “We analyzed how technological groups can meet the demands previously raised. Then we study how to implement the actions,” says the professor. “We are looking for new skills in the area”, he says. The results of this whole process were presented in the third stage, that is, in the workshop.

From the second half of 2018, a new cycle will begin. Once again, it will be marked by the mapping of industrial demands, but with new companies, followed by analyzes of how to meet these demands and closed by yet another workshop.