“O Futuro passa por aqui” is the motto that accompanies another edition of the event that fills FEUP with high school students, eager to know what is this about being an engineer.

“This is a unique opportunity for students to get to know our faculty, and the routes are designed to show the Engineer’s role in protecting the planet, improving humanity and building a better world”, says Sara Cristóvão, responsible for the organization of “SPE – Semana Profissão Engenheiro“.

During 3 days (March 28-30) FEUP intends to be an enlightening support in the decision making process of many young people when the time comes to start Higher Education. To achieve this goal, a programme rich in pathways/activities and clarification sessions for students and parents was created. In this 2023 edition, more than 1500 students and approximately 70 teachers and psychologists from the North to the South of the country are enrolled and will find in FEUP the opportunity to know the reality of an institution of Higher Education and to contact with its community of teachers, students, staff and student groups.

For those students who already know what they want to do and just need to confirm their choice, the monothematic paths are the perfect solution.

In this SPE session, Informatics Engineering organized the tracks 16 and 17 (P16 and P17), with various activities, focused on the following themes: “Artificial Intelligence Applications“, “Computer Security“, “Software Development and Testing Lab“, “Graphics, Interaction and Games“, “Informatics Multipurpose“, “Database and Web Applications Lab“, “Computer Lab“, “Capstone Project” and “Informatics at FEUP: how they are, what they do, what they eat and where they live” – which are intended to be a showcase of what is done in the Informatics and Computing Engineering program.

And if after the event there are still many doubts, the doors are still open to clarify them through Consultório de Dúvidas FEUP.

Next March 21st, at 18:30, in the FEUP’s Library (Floor 0), the 3rd year student of Informatics and Computing Engineering, Pedro Fardilha Barbeira, will launch “Verbal Alquimia“, a poetry book where “we are challenged to share the deepest feelings inherent to the Man, not because it moves us, but because it offers us the freedom to think, to feel and – for the most daring – to live”.

In conversation with Pedro Barbeira he confessed that “Computer Engineering came a bit out of the blue”. His dedication at the time (we were in 2013) to computers and games, and his “schisms” in robotics – he dreamt of making medical prostheses – made him choose Computer Science. But the first years of college, where he had to divide his energies between complex personal challenges and a whole new world that was very different from high school, proved to be a real “Cabo das Tormentas”.

One day he decided, as he tells us, “to return to the program and really face this “Adamastor”, which insisted on projecting its shadow on my path”. On the way he discovered a passion for programming: “In it I found the perfect conciliation between Method and Creativity, those two facets of Order and Chaos, so close and necessary”. The interest grew not only for the “more “esoteric” disciplines – Operating Systems, Computer Networks, Compilers – but also for the more pragmatic ones – Web Development, UI/UX, among many others”.

When we ask him what the connection between writing and computer science is, Pedro tells us that the connection between the two emerges in what he imagines to be his dream life: “Writing is an indispensable tool when it comes to sharing knowledge – I believe to be the truest, oldest and deepest heritage of Humanity. Given the current state of the world, I believe that evolution will come about precisely because of the sharing of experiences and experiences – so necessary for empathy and cooperation – as well as a re-evaluation of the value of subjective experience – so forgotten by our deeply objective society. As such, I feel that programming will allow me to develop and explore my own ideas, at the level of applications focused on the common user, as well as to enhance the expansion and evolution of businesses and projects in which I really believe. The literary capacity contributes a lot to the clarity and specificity of oral expression, as well as to the ability to weave analogies, that ancestral vehicle of wisdom transmission, abilities that are central to the management of people and teams, to the interaction with clients and employers, as well as to the analysis and observation of social problems that we can try to mitigate or correct through our programmes”.

Talking about the future he tells us that he wants to invest on freelancing when he feels ready and dreams of “being at the head” of his own business. “Letters provides me with the analysis, synthesis and understanding skills I feel I need to make an impact at the level I consider relevant, and Engineering provides me with the technical tools and skills necessary to achieve these goals. A strong reminder that Knowledge is plural and transversal, and that sometimes the most evolutive solutions are found in the least expected places”, shares with us the student who will soon let us know “his visions through the twisted meanders of the poetic verses that flow through him”.

Entrance is free, you are all invited.

The workshop will take place March 27th, at 14:30, room I323.

Registrations: https://forms.gle/ygPt14JE6a5soXaK6

By Martinus Suijkerbuijk:

“With the parametric tools in blender –geometry nodes– it is possible to create, with relatively simple node-based algorithms, great procedural pipelines. This functionality can be expanded with the integration of Python within blender, and amplify possibilities of creation and automation.

For this workshop, after some basic introduction of evolutionary algorithms and its application in creative practices, the participants have the opportunity to experiment with a custom designed evolutionary algorithm that can evolve a large variety of shapes. The shapes architecture is based on Johan Gielis’ Superformula. After we established our own dataset of shapes, through evolutionary selection, we’ll proceed with designing our own procedural algorithm to create a collection of artificial flora that the participants can use in their own virtual environments. Keywords: Blender, Evolutionary algorithms, geometry nodes, python, procedural modelling.”

 Martinus Suijkerbuijk is an artist, designer and engineer that currently is working towards completing his artistic research PhD at the Trondheim Academy of Fine Art, Norway. His artistic research is focused on the concept of Computational Aesthetics, which he explores through the use of AI empowered Artificial Aesthetic Agents (AAA) in virtual environments. His diverse background has enabled him to present his research and work at cultural institutions such as ZKM and MetaMorf, as well as technology conferences like CHI 2018 and Philips Trend Event.

For further queries please contact Prof. António Coelho (DEI).

There are many facets to creativity, and the topic has a profound impact on society. Substantial and sustained study on creativity has been undertaken, and much is now known about the fundamentals and how creativity can be augmented. To draw these elements together, a framework has been developed called the creativity diamond, formulated on the basis of reviews of prior work, as well as consideration of 20 PhD studies on the topics of creativity, design, innovation, and product development. The creativity diamond framework can be used to prompt and help select which tool or approach to use in a creative environment for innovative tasks. This presentation will explore some of the principal facets of creativity and describe the creativity diamond framework and associated resources as well as considering the practical realization of ideas.

 “The Creativity Diamond Framework” will be presented by Prof. Peter Childs, on March 2, at 6 pm, online via Youtube

Short-Bio:

Peter Childs is the Professorial Lead in Engineering Design and Co-Director of the Energy Futures Lab at Imperial College London. His general interests include creativity, innovation, design, sustainability and robotics. He was the founding Head of School for the Dyson School of Design Engineering at Imperial. Prior roles include director of the Rolls-Royce supported University Technology Centre for Aero-Thermal Systems, director of InQbate and professor at the University of Sussex. He has contributed to over 200 refereed journal and conference papers, and several books. He has been principal or co-investigator on contracts totalling over £100 million. He is a fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering, Editor of the Journal of Power and Energy, Professor of Excellence at MD-H, Berlin, Advisor Professor at Guangdong University of Technology, Chairperson at BladeBUG Ltd and Founder Director and Chairperson at QBot Ltd.

Coming soon, February 8, B032 hosts the ProDEI Symposium, formerly known as DSIE, annual meeting of the community of the PhD Program in Computer Engineering at FEUP, organized by its students.

This edition will demonstrate throughout the day the potential and opportunities of a PhD as a career path, through the testimonies of former ProDEI students with successful careers in industry: João Pedro Dias from BUILT CoLAB, João Reis from DEUS.ai and Tiago Boldt from Kevel. We will learn the different visions of those working simultaneously in industry and academia and how the challenging path of a PhD culminates in better and more rewarding opportunities.

Mid-morning, the interventions of Eugénio Oliveira, Emeritus Professor of the DEI, and Diana Santos, from the Innovation Office of FEUP, will present funding opportunities for those doing a PhD and the details of the application process, and will be available to clarify any questions.

After lunch, Luís Paulo Reis, LIACC Director, will present the talk “There are more tides than sailors: A reflection on the importance of doing top-quality scientific research!” This talk will focus on the recent developments in the areas of CS, AI, ML, IR and PNL and the importance of developing excellent science and advanced research in these areas, in the context of a successful and impactful PhD to achieve a top position in a top international technology company.

This will be followed by presentations from current ProDEI students that in 10 minutes each will give us a presentation of their latest research work in the areas of Artificial Intelligence, Software Engineering, Information Systems, (…) , being moderated by Professors Carlos Soares and António Augusto Sousa.

The session will end with a social coffee break among the participants.

Registrations are free and can be submitted here until February 7th.