Promoting Sustainable Research Collaborations Between HEI and Industry at the Regional Level: Brief Overview of the Case Study of Famalicão Made In

Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) play a vital role in training skilled professionals and generating advanced knowledge essential for strategic decision-making. They are pivotal to shaping the future of nations and regions, serving as key contributors to science and technology. This short qualitative research paper highlights the limited interactions between HEIs, Research and Development (R&D), and medium to large-sized companies, arguing that local entities, particularly municipalities, have a very important role in facilitating collaborative programs that connect various organizations with a shared interest in promoting R&D in partnership with other local stakeholders.