Prime Minister Pedro Passos Coelho was booed and jeered when he visited the University of Aveiro on Thursday (January 9).
A group of approximately 20 researchers used the occasion to protest against cuts to the science sector, particularly affecting the university’s FCT (Foundation for Science and Technology).
Holding banners proclaiming ‘Science and innovation lead the country to evolution’, the students began chanting and calling for an end to the programme of slashing research.
Despite accelerating tension, the protest remained peaceful.
The Prime Minister had travelled to the university to take part in the ceremony awarding PhDs to José Miranda Formigli, the head of exploration and production at Brazil’s government-run oil company Petrobras, and to Galp executive president, Manuel Ferreira de Oliveira.
