ULusófona in the Spotlight in the Debate on Connectivity and Digital Innovation

Students from the Political Science and International Relations programmes at Lusófona University participated in the symposium organised by ANACOM - National Communications Authority, in partnership with the SubOptic Foundation, standing out as youth representatives in crucial discussions on submarine cables and strategic investments. The event, held yesterday, reinforced Portugal's role as a key player in the global digital infrastructure landscape.

The session featured a presentation by Nuno Alves from EllaLink, who detailed the challenges and processes involved in constructing these vital systems. His approach captivated the audience by explaining the planning and engineering required to carry out such large-scale projects, which are essential to ensuring global connectivity. Illustrative videos, such as the cable landing day and the HDD system used during the Sines landing, enriched the presentation and are available on EllaLink's YouTube channel.

Often referred to as the "backbone of the Internet," these systems play an indispensable role in connecting people and businesses worldwide. During the symposium, students gained deeper insights into the technological and logistical challenges of building and maintaining this strategic infrastructure.

Additionally, a physical sample of a submarine cable, provided by Erick Contag, sparked great curiosity and enthusiasm among the participants.

Lusófona University celebrated the engagement of its students, emphasising the importance of events like this to inspire future generations to reflect on Portugal's strategic role in digital infrastructure technologies. The symposium reaffirmed the country's position on the global submarine cable map, consolidating it as a key player in the connectivity and digital economy of the Atlantic.

Through their active participation, the students showcased the commitment of Portuguese youth to contributing to a more connected and innovative future.