Mariano Gago facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Mariano Gago
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| Minister for Science, Technology and Higher Education | |
| In office March 12, 2005 – June 21, 2011 |
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| Succeeded by | Nuno Crato (Education and Science) |
| Minister for Science and Technology | |
| In office October 25, 1999 – April 6, 2002 |
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| Prime Minister | António Guterres |
| Minister for Science and Technology | |
| In office October 28, 1995 – October 25, 1999 |
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| Prime Minister | António Guterres |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 16 May 1948 |
| Died | 17 April 2015 (aged 66) |
| Nationality |  Portuguese |
| Political party | Socialist |
José Mariano Rebelo Pires Gago (born May 16, 1948 – died April 17, 2015), known as Mariano Gago, was an important Portuguese scientist and politician. He was best known for being the Minister for Science and Higher Education. He worked in government for 13 years, which is longer than almost anyone else since 1976.
Mariano Gago studied to be an electrical engineer in Lisbon. He then did advanced research in Paris as a high-energy physicist. This means he studied the smallest parts that make up everything. He became a Physics Professor at Instituto Superior Técnico in Lisbon. He also worked at CERN in Geneva for many years. CERN is a huge science lab where scientists study particles.
He was part of the CERN Council from 1985 to 1990. He also served on the EC Joint Research Centre Board of Governors. From 1986 to 1989, he was President of the Portuguese National Board for Science and Technology. He led the European EUREKA initiative from 1997 to 1998.
As Minister for Science and Technology since 1995, he represented Portugal in the European Union. He also helped guide Portugal's policy on how people use computers and the internet. He worked to make science education and scientific culture better for everyone.
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Connecting Teaching and Research
Professor Gago always believed that teaching and research should work together. He thought universities should do both well. He also wanted to make sure that research was easy for everyone to understand. He said that his generation helped make science and technology more open to the public. He believed that people needed basic technical knowledge for new advancements to happen.
Promoting Science with Ciência Viva
Mariano Gago started the Ciência Viva programme in 1996. This program helps more Portuguese people learn about science and technology. It makes science fun and easy to understand.
Working with Other Countries
He also encouraged scientists in Portugal to work with scientists from other countries. He saw this as a way for Portugal to create new products. It also helped Portugal offer new services that use advanced knowledge.
Improving Higher Education Quality
During his time as Minister, Mariano Gago's team had to close some private universities. These universities were not providing good quality education. This decision was made to make sure students received a proper education.
Mariano Gago's Government Roles
Mariano Gago held several important roles in the Portuguese government:
- From 2005 to 2011:
* Minister for Science, Technology and Higher Education. * He worked under Prime Minister José Sócrates.
- From 1999 to 2002:
* Minister for Science and Technology. * He worked under Prime Minister António Guterres.
- From 1995 to 1999:
* Minister for Science and Technology. * He also worked under Prime Minister António Guterres.
