02 March, 2026
Carlos Duarte, Distinguished Professor at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), has been awarded a Doctor Honoris Causa by the Universidade do Algarve in Faro, Portugal.
The honorary degree recognizes Duarte’s pioneering research on marine ecosystems and blue carbon, and his leadership in advancing understanding of the role oceans play in addressing climate change.
The award was presented during a ceremony held on March 2 at the university’s Gambelas Campus
In his acceptance speech, Duarte reflected on more than three decades of collaboration with researchers at the Universidade do Algarve. Beginning in the early 1990s, this partnership has included joint research projects, student exchanges, and collaborations on seagrass ecology, marine biodiversity, and coastal ecosystem conservation. Duarte also emphasized the role of scientific collaboration across borders in addressing global environmental challenges and strengthening marine conservation efforts worldwide.