In the year that is now ending, the FCCN, FCT digital services, consolidated its role as a driver of innovation in the national academic and scientific ecosystem, by fostering collaboration within this community.
New services and tools, community meetings and countless celebrations and recognitions, in a year marked by the reinforcement of FCCN's purpose of creating a future where technology enhances the creation of knowledge.
Relive 12 of FCCN's milestones in 2024.
1# New FCCN image
At the beginning of the year, it was announced that rebranding of the FCCN, which solidified the connection with the Foundation for Science and Technology. The goal was to reinforce the FCCN's identity, transforming it into a brand umbrella stronger and more cohesive, which enhances the synergy between its various digital services. All this, through a modern personality and minimalist design.
This change also brought a new name – FCCN, FCT digital services – and extended to digital services, whose rebranding will be released in 2025.
2# NAU signs protocol with EDX.org
NAU, FCT's digital service, developed by FCCN, took online training further in 2024, by becoming present on one of the largest platforms e-learning worldwide, while PortugalX.
Here, at least 60 courses will be made available in Portuguese, reaching more than 2 million users from Portuguese-speaking countries.
3# FCCN Conferences
Held in Madeira, this meeting was a milestone in the calendar of the higher education and research community in Portugal. It brought together 641 participants, 102 speakers, and 35 sponsors over three days, establishing itself as a benchmark for knowledge sharing and technological innovation.
For 2025, the meeting already has a date and place set: the Jornadas FCCN 2025 will take place from May 6 to 8, 2025, in Coimbra.
4# Zeal Launch
THE FCCN presented the Zelo, the national portal for GDPR support. This digital service enables organizations to register, manage, and monitor processes associated with the General Data Protection Regulation with complete autonomy.
All organizations belonging to the government sector of Education and Science, Technology and Higher Education can join Zelo, at no additional cost.
5# Two new programs were born, with PRR support
THE Science was contemplated in the Recovery and Resilience Plan (PRR), with an investment of 93 million euros.
The programs ” Science + Digital” and ” Science + Training are being implemented by FCT, namely through FCCN, until June 2026. Among the supported projects is the creation of the Science and Technology Campus and the National Center for Advanced Computing.
6# Two distinctions for Arquivo.pt
Arquivo.pt, the digital service of the Foundation for Science and Technology, received the award “Best Central Public Administration Project”, by the Navegantes XXI Awards.
The Portuguese web archive was also recognized for its work for the “Promoting a More Innovative and Digital Society”, a distinction of the Digital Transformation Award 2024.
7# Celebrating 20 years of b-on
THE b-on – Online Knowledge Library celebrated two decades of existence, and brought together its community in Viseu.
With over 480,000 users and 20 million downloads in 2024, this FCCN service continues to transform the national scientific landscape.
8# The PUB IN community met for the first time
The 11st PUB IN Meeting – Journals and Scientific Communication for Open Science took place in Lisbon. This event was organized by FCCN and the University of Minho, and funded by the Recovery and Resilience Plan (RRP).
Composed of thematic panels, workshops, among other moments, more than 120 people from the national publishing community gathered. The second edition will take place between March 26th and 27th, 2025, in Porto.
9# 1st edition of the Meeting on Digital Preservation
For the first time, the Meeting on New Paths for Preservation and Access to Information, promoted by FCT – Science and Technology Archive and by Arquivo.pt, a digital service of the Foundation for Science and Technology, developed by FCCN.
The Torre do Tombo welcomed the more than 240 people present, on a day when discussed the main challenges that information and documentation professionals currently face.
10# FCCN.PT was recognized with the Silver Seal by the AMA
THE Agency for Administrative Modernization attributed the Silver Seal of Usability and Accessibility to the institutional website FCCN.PT, recognizing FCCN's commitment to best practices on the web.
The evaluation considers the adapting the website to a more inclusive experience for all users, regardless of their sensory, motor or cognitive abilities.
11# Portuguese participation in one of Europe's AI factories
Portuguese participation is led by FCT, in a joint initiative of Spain, Portugal, Türkiye and Romania.
AI factories aggregate national and international resources. EU, and the candidacy in which Portugal participates will operate uan AI Factory associated with the MareNostrum 5 supercomputer.
12# RCAAP reaches 1 million aggregated documents
FCT's digital service RCAAP – Open Access Scientific Repositories in Portugal – ends the year with a historic milestone.
The goal of one million aggregated scientific contents is reached at the moment when the RCAAP also celebrates 16 years of existence.
In 2025, we renew our commitment to taking technology to knowledge further.
