Signed on 27 September 2010, the cooperation protocol with the Study Centre for Population, Economy and Society (CEPESE) is primarily aimed at the promotion of studies on azulejos and ceramics, with a special emphasis on patterned tiles from the 19th century. Both institutions recognized the advantages of an effective collaboration in these domains, involving various specialized researchers – including Francisco Queiroz, with whom Az has developed numerous research projects over the years, and who remains an active collaborator.