The MIT Center for International Studies has revealed the initiation of a new pilot program with Angola, to be carried out via its MIT-Africa Program.
This new endeavor signifies an important partnership among MIT-Africa, Sonangol (Angola’s national energy corporation), and the Instituto Superior Politécnico de Tecnologias e Ciências (ISPTEC). The partnership was formalized during a signing event on MIT’s campus in June, with prominent representatives from all three organizations, including Diamantino Pedro Azevedo, the Angolan minister of mineral resources, petroleum, and gas, alongside Sonangol’s CEO Gaspar Martins.
“This alliance is a crucial advancement in the Angolan government’s pledge to utilize knowledge as the foundation for the nation’s economic transformation,” Azevedo states. “By linking the oil and gas domain with science, innovation, and premier training, we are preparing future generations to steer Angola toward a more technology-driven, sustainable, and internationally competitive future.”
This viewpoint is echoed by leaders of the MIT-Africa Program. “This project embodies MIT’s strong dedication to nurturing meaningful, long-lasting connections throughout the African continent,” remarks Mai Hassan, faculty director of the MIT-Africa Program. “It aligns with our mission of promoting knowledge and educating students in globally aware ways, while also providing a framework for reciprocal learning. Collaborating with Angolan partners allows us to gain fresh insights and innovation opportunities that benefit both MIT and our collaborators.”
In addition to its recent collaboration with MIT-Africa, Sonangol has become a member of MIT’s Industrial Liaison Program (ILP), marking a significant milestone as its inaugural corporate member located in sub-Saharan Africa. ILP enables companies across the globe to leverage MIT resources to tackle present challenges and anticipate future demands. As an ILP participant, Sonangol aims to foster cooperation in critical sectors such as natural resources, mining, energy, construction, and infrastructure.
The MIT-Africa Program oversees a range of research, teaching, and educational initiatives that emphasize bi-directional value — delivering impactful experiences to MIT students and faculty while closely collaborating with institutions and communities throughout Africa. The new Angola collaboration embodies this ethos and will launch with two primary activities during the forthcoming academic year:
- Global Classroom: An MIT course on geo-spatial technologies for environmental monitoring, instructed by an MIT faculty member, will be conducted directly at the ISPTEC campus, providing Angolan students and MIT participants with a collaborative, local learning experience.
- Global Teaching Labs: MIT students will visit ISPTEC to teach science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics subjects focusing on renewable energy technologies, actively involving Angolan students through practical instruction.
“This is not a conventional development initiative,” states Ari Jacobovits, managing director of MIT-Africa. “This is about forging authentic partnerships grounded in academic rigor, innovation, and shared curiosity. The collaboration has been meticulously crafted alongside our partners at ISPTEC and Sonangol. We’re approaching this with a willingness to learn as much as we impart.”
This pilot represents an essential initial step toward establishing a sustainable collaboration with Angola. By investing in cooperative education and innovation, this new initiative seeks to ignite fresh strategies for global challenges and reinforce academic institutions on both ends.
These agreements with MIT-Africa and ILP “not only enhance our innovative and technological capabilities but also open avenues for sustainable development and operational excellence,” says Gaspar. “They elevate our mission to become a leading entity in the African energy landscape.”
“The vision underlying this initiative is ambitious,” says Hassan. “It’s about collaboratively creating knowledge and fostering enduring capacity.”