Braga Mayor Honoured with Galicia Medal for Strengthening Scientific Ties

The International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory (INL) extends its warm congratulations to the Mayor of Braga, Ricardo Rio, on being awarded the Medal of Galicia on 24 July. This prestigious honour, also granted to the Mayor of Porto, celebrates the deepening of cross-border cooperation within the Galicia–Northern Portugal Euroregion. The ceremony, led by the President of the Xunta de Galicia, Alfonso Rueda, highlighted not only the cultural and linguistic bonds between the regions but also their growing scientific collaboration.

INL was prominently mentioned during the event as a symbol of this scientific unity. Founded as a result of the 2005 Iberian Summit, the laboratory was envisioned as a pioneering initiative in European science and technology cooperation. Located in Braga, INL owes much of its foundation to Galician physicist Prof. Dr. José Rivas Rey, who led its creation and served as its first director until 2014. Today, INL stands as one of the largest scientific research centres in the Iberian Peninsula, embodying the shared vision and innovation that the Galicia Medal seeks to honour.