organisation - the Instituto Gulbenkian de Ciência

THE DIRECTOR'S
INTRODUCTION
“While unanimously recognised as the epic poet in Portuguese literature, Luis
de Camões wrote many a love poem that most of us, locals, learned by heart
when coming of age. In a beautiful sonnet, Camões explains why Jacob submitted
to serve Rachel’s father for a whole seven years: he wanted Rachel as a
reward and, for that highest goal, was ready to serve for yet another 7 years.
Interestingly, Camões gives no hint as to Jacob’s performance, as if his full dedication
sufficed to qualify him as deserving. Writing the 7th annual report of the
Instituto Gulbenkian de Ciência, I feel I must invoke the same benevolence in
judgment, for full dedication there was in attempting to establish material and
intellectual conditions for the practice of good Science, to strengthen biomedical
research and education in Portuguese institutions, to bring scientific values
to the daily concerns of citizens and politicians. These were the missions that
the Board of Administration of the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation chose for
this period of IGC’s life, and, looking back, I must say that the Institute has
walked some ground in these seven years. And I must add that, in my metaphor
of Camões’ sonnet, Jacob was not one but many, all of us shepherds and apprentices
dreaming of our Rachel, ready to offer the best we have, in generosity
and commitment, let alone our thoughts and minds.”
This was the first paragraph in the text I wrote for the IGC’s 2005 Annual Report.
Some of my colleagues and I have now served Laban for yet another seven
years, “never serving him but her”, as the poet says. Our Rachel is none other
than Science itself. Laban has been a good master to serve, however: what an
exceptional venture to be associated with this endeavour of reconstructing
the IGC, with the help of a Scientific Advisory Board that is exceptional in all
respects, and with the support, understanding and trust of the Foundations’
Board of Administration. The Institute flourished and accumulated honours and
distinctions, excellent applications from students and scientists, grants, papers
and citations. All this, I am certain, just because the IGC managed to attract outstanding
people of all sorts, who made the Institute their home and, together,
IGC ANNUAL REPORT ‘11
THE DIRECTOR'S INTRODUCTION
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