Participation of the Agricultural University of Athens in the events of the Marine, Coastal and Urban Sustainability Week of EU-CONEXUS in Valencia, Spain

Participation of the Agricultural University of Athens in the events of the Marine, Coastal and Urban Sustainability Week of EU-CONEXUS in Valencia, Spain

From July 8 to 12, 2024, the Agricultural University of Athens participated in the Marine, Coastal, and Urban Sustainability Week, organized by the Catholic University of Valencia, Spain and the European University Alliance EU-CONEXUS for Smart Urban Coastal Sustainability. Valencia, the EU Green Capital 2024 for Sustainability, was the perfect setting for the Marine, Coastal, and Urban Sustainability Week which brought together various events, organised by UCV and EU-CONEXUS, and hosted over 450 participants from around the Alliance and other partners to promote sustainable development and address pressing challenges in marine, coastal, and urban environments.

The Agricultural University of Athens (AUA) was represented by the Rector Dr. Spyridon Kintzios, Professor, the Vice-Rector of the European University, Internationalization and Student Affairs Dr. Eleni Miliou, Professor, Dr. Emmanuel Malandrakis, Assistant Professor of the Department of Animal Science Production, Dr. Sofia Mavrikou, Assistant Professor of the Department of Biotechnology and Mr. Christos Vatistas, PhD Candidate of the Department of Natural Resources Utilization & Agricultural Engineering.

The EU-CONEXUS European University Alliance has always emphasized the importance of cooperation between universities, industry, and public institutions, as well as the responsibility to conduct academic and research activities that address the challenges faced by our coastal cities. During the Marine, Coastal, and Urban Sustainability Week, the following events took place:

1) Presentations of the master’s theses by students from the 1st class of the Joint International Interinstitutional Master’s Programme in Marine Biotechnology, implemented by the EU-CONEXUS European University Alliance.

In front of three-member examination committees, composed of professors from all the Universities in the Alliance, the postgraduate students from the first cohort of the Joint International Inter-Institutional Master’s Programme in Marine Biotechnology presented their theses on July 8 and 9, 2024.

Addressing the real needs of the Marine Biotechnology sector, the EU-CONEXUS Joint Master Programme aims to foster cooperation and synergy between partner European Universities, industry, and research institutes. This Joint Programme is funded by the European Commission as an Erasmus Mundus Joint Master’s Degree.

2) Session of the Programme Board of EU-CONEXUS Joint Master in Marine Biotechnology

On July 10, 2024, the Programme Board of the EU-CONEXUS Joint International Inter-Institutional Master Programme in Marine Biotechnology met to assess the progress of this ERASMUS MUNDUS Programme and plan future actions. The Agricultural University of Athens was represented by Dr. Eleni Miliou, Scientific Responsible of the Programme at AUA, and Dr. Emmanouil Malandrakis, AUA’s representative in the Programme Board.

To strengthen the bonds of friendship among the Programme members, a working lunch was organized featuring the traditional regional dish, "Paella de Valencia." Participants were divided into groups of mixed nationalities, with each group preparing its own paella. The entire process took place in a very friendly atmosphere at a farmhouse in the wider Valencia area.

3) Session of Governing Board

On July 10, 2024, a session of the EU-CONEXUS Governing Board was also held, with the Rectors of the nine universities in the EU-CONEXUS European University Alliance participating. The main topics of the meeting were the joint long-term strategy of the Alliance and the future vision of the European University.

Additionally, the Rectors were given a tour of Valencia's town hall. In her welcoming words, Mayor Catalá emphasised Valencia’s dedication to environmental stewardship and the importance of the event in fostering international collaboration. It’s an honour that Valencia has been chosen by EU-CONEXUS for its university partnership days on sustainability in coastal cities and ports,” she remarked.

4) Blue Growth Leaders’ Academy

The "Blue Growth Leaders Academy" is a European Union initiative aimed at transferring the academy's expertise to industry and business decision-makers in the ports and urban development sectors. The ultimate goal of the Academy is to train professionals in sustainable urban coastal development, with a special emphasis on ports and their surrounding areas.

Following a three-month online academic programme on aspects of Blue Growth and Smart Cities, 23 participants from eight different countries traveled to Valencia from July 9 to 11, 2024, for the final stage of the programme. A highlight of the meeting was the visit to the Port of Valencia, where an interactive workshop provided participants with a comprehensive view of the challenges involved in port management and sustainability in the context of urban development. This workshop was conducted in collaboration with the Port Authorities and the Valencia Port Foundation.

In the context of the Academy, the Agricultural University of Athens was represented by Dr. Sofia Mavrikou and Mr. Christos Vatistas. The presence of Mr. Eleftherios Papakonstantinou, Marketing & Quality Control specialist from the Piraeus Port Authority (PPA), was particularly noteworthy for the second consecutive year. It appears that the Agricultural University of Athens has now established strategic ties with one of the largest ports in the world and is consolidating its presence within the EU-CONEXUS European University Alliance of European Universities.

From the stakeholders' perspective, the participation of Ms. Aggelina Xyderou Malefaki, a founding member of Ce.B.Tec. P.C., a spin-off company of the Agricultural University of Athens, was particularly active. All participants attended the interactive workshop in Valencia and expressed their interest in continuing the programme in the near future.

5) International Symposium on Marine Science

The latest scientific developments in marine sciences were explored at the Veles e Vents facility during an event organized by six Spanish universities with relevant study programs. This event drew over 300 researchers from Europe, Asia, and America. Students from the EU-CONEXUS Joint Master Programme in Marine Biotechnology presented the findings of their two-year research projects. Alongside other researchers, they emphasized the critical role of scientific research in developing strategies to ensure the sustainability of coastal areas.

6) Blue Innovation Day

As global interest in blue biotechnology grows, a networking event for students, researchers, and stakeholders dedicated to the field was essential. Held on July 11, 2024, the event began with an opening greeting from Ester Olivas, Director of Internationalization and Entrepreneurship for the Municipality of Valencia. Jesus Agüero, Director of BioVal, then emphasized the role of innovation in promoting sustainable development.

During the event, graduates of the EU-CONEXUS Joint Master Programme in Marine Biotechnology had the opportunity to engage with experienced researchers, receiving valuable guidance on their research and future careers. A prize was awarded for the best student poster to recognize the innovative contributions of young researchers.

Marine, Coastal, and Urban Sustainability Week was a resounding success, underscoring the critical importance of interdisciplinary collaboration and innovative thinking in tackling global environmental challenges. The Agricultural University of Athens, as a founding member of the EU-CONEXUS European University Alliance, played a key role in the week’s events, contributing its expertise to discussions on developing effective solutions for marine, coastal, and urban environmental issues.