Syros, Greece, is enhancing its role in maritime innovation through a partnership between the University of Aegean and EIT Digital. This summer, the EIT Digital Summer School on Maritime Informatics and Robotics gathered students, researchers, and innovators to explore marine technology’s future. Participants engaged in hands-on learning, constructing autonomous boats and gaining coding skills, all within Greece’s first high school, established in 1834.
Marine robotics is transforming our interaction with the oceans, enabling safer and more efficient exploration and monitoring. However, the ocean’s challenging environment makes innovation essential and complex. The Summer School’s integration with the IEEE Symposium on Maritime Informatics and Robotics allowed students to connect with industry leaders and groundbreaking projects, highlighting the synergy between academic learning and real-world applications.
The initiative aims to position Syros as a European hub for maritime innovation, creating a living lab that fosters collaboration among academia, startups, and industry. Focus areas include smart shipping and autonomous vessels powered by AI. EIT Digital’s support has been crucial in this transformation, linking education with practical experimentation. Future plans include expanding the Summer School into a leading European academy for blue tech and establishing a Centre of Excellence in Smart Shipping to bolster the island’s maritime leadership.
