There’s a new project dedicated to advance the Atlantic Blue Economy. INESC TEC is one of the partners in UPWELLING, designed to create an innovation network that offers training and experimentation opportunities while strengthening the connection between companies and innovation centres.
The ocean is the laboratory of the future; it holds countless opportunities for a vast ecosystem, but there are still structural challenges to overcome. “The oceans’ potential is quite significant. Yet there is still limited collaboration among the different stakeholders in the sector, a lack of specialised skills, and reduced access to maritime infrastructures”, explained Paula Lima, researcher at INESC TEC.
The solution? To create a transnational collaboration network and an academy capable of providing specialised training in emerging maritime technologies, prototyping, experimentation, and connection between businesses and research centres. The UPWELLING Academy aims to empower SMEs and startups and to prepare a new generation of highly qualified professionals in marine technologies.
“Over the next two years, we plan to create a digital platform that will integrate maritime infrastructure services, job opportunities and educational resources; launch the UPWELLING Academy, with training programmes and hands-on courses in emerging maritime technologies; and organise collaborative hackathons, proof-of-concept trials, and co-creation activities that foster innovation and entrepreneurship in the sector”, added the researcher.
INESC TEC will contribute by providing access to experimental facilities and practical and theoretical expertise, developed through other projects in offshore energy, underwater robotics and ocean monitoring. “Together with organisations like PLOCAN, IPMA and the Marine Institute, we’ll also contribute pedagogically, ensuring that the training combines scientific knowledge with real-world application”, concluded Paula Lima.
With total funding of €28M under the Interreg Atlantic Area 2021–2027 European funding programme – which promotes transnational cooperation across 22 Atlantic regions of Portugal, Spain, France and Ireland – the UPWELLING project brings together a consortium of leading institutions, fostering cooperation among Atlantic nations and creating opportunities for a more sustainable, digital and resilient Blue Economy.
Besides INESC TEC, the consortium is composed by: Innovalia Association (Lead Partner), PLACON, IPMA, BUILDERS École d’Ingénieurs, Cork County Council, Ireland Marine Institute, Technopôle Brest-Iroise, University College Cork, S2AQUA, Bilbao PortLab, Dublin City University, Euskal Herriko Unibertsitatea, and Mondragon Goi Eskola Politeknikoa.
The researcher mentioned in this news piece is associated with INESC TEC.
