Representing Portugal at the national pavilion on June 26 and 27, UAlg presented an animated short film that fused scientific research, artistic vision and cross-cultural storytelling, and left a lasting impression on one of the most competitive global stages.

The film, produced by a studio launched at UAlg’s own business accelerator, tells the story of the Ria Formosa through the eyes of a seahorse, a species both iconic and endangered along Portugal’s southern coast. The animation is a tribute to Japanese visual culture, taking inspiration from anime and manga to communicate complex environmental issues in a way that is emotionally engaging and instantly relatable to Japanese audiences.

With traditional exhibition formats limited by logistical challenges, the university chose a bold alternative: use the universal language of animation to speak directly to the host nation’s imagination. The decision proved to be not only innovative, but also strategically effective. The project aligned perfectly with the theme of the Portugal Pavilion, Ocean the Blue Dialogue, and coincidentally mirrored the pavilion’s official mascot, also a seahorse is reinforcing the link between national identity, environmental awareness and scientific expertise.

At its core, this initiative is about more than just promoting research. It shows how academic institutions in Portugal, particularly in the Algarve, are now thinking globally and acting with creative confidence. By embracing artistic media and cultural fluency, UAlg demonstrated that Portuguese universities can compete at the intersection of science, communication and innovation.

Equally important is what this moment represents for the future. The University of Algarve is not just exporting knowledge it is building it. From local startups born on campus to international collaborations, the institution is nurturing a new generation of researchers, designers and scientists whose work is already resonating beyond national borders.

The project was made possible through regional and European partnerships, reflecting a broader movement to internationalize the Algarve’s economy and educational ecosystem. Expo 2025, which gathers 160 countries and millions of visitors in Osaka, offers rare global visibility, and UAlg seized that opportunity not with spectacle, but with substance.

This presence on the world stage reinforces what many in Portugal have long believed: the country is ready to lead in fields that matter. And the Algarve, often seen only as a tourism hub, is proving itself as a growing force in education, science and technological creativity. The University of Algarve is part of that shift, showing that excellence can be homegrown, future-focused and globally relevant.

From the calm waters of southern Portugal to the digital platforms of Asia, UAlg’s contribution to Expo 2025 is a statement of what’s possible when science, culture and vision work together. It marks not just a proud achievement for the university, but a clear signal that Portugal is raising a generation of talent prepared to inspire, connect and shape the world.

Author

Paulo Lopes is a multi-talent Portuguese citizen who made his Master of Economics in Switzerland and studied law at Lusófona in Lisbon - CEO of Casaiberia in Lisbon and Algarve.

Paulo Lopes