It is now generally accepted and scientifically evidenced that only through knowledge can one evolve to higher levels of development, both individually and in any human society.

The University's relationship with other institutions is a two-way relationship, given that the University can transmit scientific knowledge but, in turn, institutions and companies transmit empirical knowledge that translates reality, which allows for a synergistic interaction that drives economic and social and scientific. It is within this scope that CARS fits.

Innovation is, above all, a necessary culture for the continuous transformation of society in order to move towards increasingly higher levels of social and individual well-being. And knowledge is the most effective engine of innovation and, therefore, of personal and social change.

If the University has as its main objective the production and transmission of knowledge, it must be a decisive instrument in society in connection with institutions, public and private, so that knowledge is effectively applied and thus change takes place effectively and efficiently. .
In the knowledge society in which we live, the existence of knowledge capital is a necessary condition to guide the new situations that emerge from social life, given the accelerated pace of change that characterizes today's society.

For the University-institutions (companies) binomial to be effective, efficient and also lead to equity as one of the fundamental values of human society, it is necessary for the University to adapt to the needs of society and this adaptation will only be possible if there is active collaboration. with the public and private institutions of society.

This collaboration will be all the more fruitful through a constant, open and flexible dialogue, in order to achieve the desired social objectives, each one maintaining its own identity.

In this perspective, the University researches to create and spread science, and its contact and interaction with institutions and companies in the productive and regulatory fabric gives it a vision of greater adaptation to reality, being able to make readjustments of its lines of investigation as well as and the subjects taught, in order to contribute more effectively to the solution of social problems.

On the other hand, companies and other institutions, namely public ones, taking advantage of the scientific knowledge produced, will be able to achieve their objectives more effectively and efficiently.

Within the objective of interaction with society, and in line with the spirit of the Bologna process, CARS will commit itself to providing services to the community, resulting from its scientific production.

CARS, as a research center at the Universidade Autónoma de Lisboa, intends for students to be in contact, from their earliest years, with the research activity, integrating them in the process of creating and applying the acquired knowledge, in the sense of integral human development and increase their capacities for integration into society's production process.

The training of human resources will also be one of CARS' priorities, as a center for scientific research, namely through Masters, Doctorates and Postgraduate courses.

One of the objectives of CARS is to disseminate research for economic and social development.
Arlindo Donário
(CARS President)