Técnico Alumni is a platform that allows former students of Instituto Superior Técnico to reconnect, relive, and reminisce their time at Técnico through access to a network of contacts with other Alumni. It is within the context of this platform’s activities that this interview with João Pombinho, a former student of DEI (Department of Computer Science and Engineering), originally took place, and is now being republished in full.  

To learn more about Técnico Alumni and join the network, click HERE.

—

João Marques Pombinho, 41 years old, graduated in Computer Science and Engineering in 2005, completed his Master’s in 2008, and finally earned his PhD in 2015, always at Técnico. He has always been connected to the telecommunications sector, initially at Portugal Telecom, then ZON Multimedia, and currently at NOS. Throughout his career, he has worked in areas such as Technology Strategic Planning, IT Demand Management, TV Architecture and Product, Digital Transformation, and is currently the Head of Enterprise Architecture.

Originally from Évora, father of two daughters, currently lives in Lisbon, although a significant part of his professional activity takes place in international settings. Outside his professional life, he is passionate about sports and endurance challenges such as triathlon, trail running, and ultra-endurance cycling, having been the first Portuguese to solo (and complete) the Race Across America.

• Why Técnico?

It was a fairly obvious choice for a good student at the end of secondary school with a scientific and technological orientation. I was born and raised in an environment tied to the micro-informatics business sector and dedicated myself to its various facets from an early age. I had interest and aptitude in several areas and the freedom to choose, but given the context and the fact that Técnico is the national reference in Engineering, it would have taken a very particular scenario to lead me to choose anything else.

• Can you tell us a bit about your studies at Técnico?

I was always connected to Computer Science and Engineering, starting in LEIC, then MEIC, and finally DEIC, attending both the Alameda and TagusPark campuses during my studies. My final year of each degree was still under the pre-Bologna system, and I started working full-time while still finishing my undergraduate degree. I embarked on a parallel journey that demanded extra energy but proved very rewarding, allowing me to extract synergies between academic and professional realities. I also had the privilege of presenting and discussing research results with diverse international audiences from both direct and adjacent communities, and I taught in LEIC, POSI, and SISE – experiences I found deeply enriching.

• What was it like studying at Técnico?

Besides the personal experience of leaving my hometown and living alone in Lisbon, which brought a necessary level of maturity, I had high expectations of Técnico itself and it certainly lived up to them in many ways. Not only because of the content and textbooks, some of which were truly fascinating, but also because of the “imposed” level of difficulty, sometimes in less obvious places: the learning and evaluation experience was particularly challenging, often pushing us to the limit, and thus served as serious preparation for professional life.

• Did you have any inspiring figures at Técnico? Who and why?

There were several, but I highlight Professor Tribolet without hesitation. He ended up supervising my work through all three degrees, and his entrepreneurial vision and tremendous contributions both inside and outside academia made a big impact. He made a difference in my second year, having just returned from the Sloan School of Management. He brought a new dynamic to the course, based on case studies, high availability outside class hours, and – I can’t resist – greeted us in the first class with a box of printed nameplates and numbers that each of us wore around our necks as we entered. In a huge, old wooden auditorium, being called by name at any moment to give your opinion on the week’s case during the discussion clearly raised the level of preparation. Unforgettable.

• What is your best memory from Técnico?

There are many: the first contact, the registration process, study moments, lifelong friends, the classic student parties, late project nights in RNL, exams, and thesis discussions. I especially highlight Técnico Day, when I received my PhD diploma – an especially meaningful moment. Having a child studying far from home is challenging in many ways, and for that reason as well, having my parents present on that day and seeing their pride at the end of such a journey was very special.

• Tell us a bit about the work you're doing now.

I work in Enterprise Architecture, which, much like urban planning for cities, focuses on the big picture and how to make multiple perspectives, goals, and value chains work together. In this case, for organizations and their ecosystems, to deliver value collectively and sustainably. The combination of knowledge in technological domains on one side, and the creation and use of business models and value networks on the other, is key to achieving this goal. It’s around this duality that I contribute, both directly at NOS and in international working groups. The evolution of business ecosystems and the TelCo – TechCo transition, along with the maturing of digital transformation and artificial intelligence, continue to strengthen my belief that the strong bet I made 20 years ago, around which I built both my academic and professional life – was the right one.

• What advice would you give to current students?

To look beyond immediacy and not see academic and professional experiences as mere "badges" to collect. Although short-term thinking is increasingly characteristic of our times, true value lies in a balanced mix and a variety of experiences that foster real versatility and the ability to make an impact. Now more than ever, it’s important to embrace the idea that there’s merit and value in choosing more challenging paths, and also in investing seriously in the medium and long term. Go deep!

• What advice would you give to high school students thinking of studying STEM, particularly at Técnico?

While there is of course room for all academic areas, it’s probably in STEM that we find the ones that, in one way or another, will most shape society’s evolution, either individually or increasingly in conjunction with other disciplines. Understanding the foundations, methodology, and thinking underlying STEM is an added value that could prove invaluable. Look no further! The best toolbox to tackle the “systems of systems” that will support our society in the coming years is right here.

• What are you most proud of in your life?

The people and relationships that form my context at this stage of life. The decision not to leave the country in pursuit of more attractive professional opportunities was difficult at times, but it made it possible, in my case, to balance professional and intellectual development with building a family, in a healthy equilibrium between professional, academic, athletic, and above all, personal life. That said, I’m particularly proud to be an example for my daughters, and I fondly remember a moment when I was teaching undergraduates: the day I brought them, still very young, to an office hour, which turned into a guided tour of the Alameda Campus. A whole new world seen through 5 and 6 year-old eyes, which fascinated and sparked their curiosity. Who knows, maybe there are future engineers on the way? :)

• Do you have a favorite quote or motto?

"Life's too short not to." This became my motto throughout my ultra-endurance journey and reflects my overall approach to life. We are defined by the challenges we choose to pursue, pushing our limits and expanding what we consider our comfort zone. Don’t wait for perfect conditions, take risks and always keep learning.

(original image: João Pombinho)