OECD Review of Higher Education, Research and Innovation: Portugal
Portugal aims to develop a more innovative, inclusive and productive economy, and to ensure that the ensuing benefits are widely distributed, regionally and socially. This report assesses the extent to which Portugal’s higher education, research and innovation system is well configured to help Portugal achieve its vision of inclusive innovation, and identify which policy options might help it achieve its goals.
The assessment and the related recommendations focus on: 1) governance, strategy and funding in higher education, research and innovation; 2) the missions, profiles and use of resources of higher education institutions; 3) undergraduate and master’s level education activities; 4) doctoral training activities; 5) academic careers; 6) high-skill employment and business innovation.
Executive summary
Portugal aims to ensure that its higher education and public research system contributes to the growth of a more innovative and productive economy. Progress towards this goal, achieved through growing investment and research performance, was halted by the global recession. As a consequence of the 2011-14 Economic Adjustment Programme for Portugal, sharp reductions were made to public investments in knowledge and innovation. Private investment fell as well. With the resumption of sustained economic growth, Portugal has set its sights on further development of the nation’s higher education, research and innovation system as a catalyst for economic growth and social inclusion. Further public investment in higher education, research, and innovation can be most effectively used with attention to the following challenges: