SMMI welcomes MaRITeC-X consortium for knowledge transfer workshop
SMMI were delighted to host the second knowledge transfer workshop of The Marine and Maritime Research, Innovation and Technology Centre of Excellence (MaRITeC-X) consortium on 16 and 17 May 2018. All the MaRITeC-X partners participated along with the Co-Chair of the MaRITeC-X Advisory Board and the representative of the Deputy Ministry of Shipping.
The purpose of the project is to create a Centre of Excellence based in Cyprus to act as an enabler of scientific and business excellence in Marine and Maritime issues in the Eastern Mediterranean. The Centre will be aligned to the overall Smart Specialization Strategy for Cyprus (S3Cy) and the European priorities for specific pillars with competitive advantages to the Cypriot economy, including the rapidly emerging Offshore sector.
During the first day of the workshop, SMMI welcomed the MaRITeC-X team members and presented the operations of SMMI, as well as technologies and research activities that the Institute has developed. They also gave the participants a tour of the state-of-the art-facilities of the Boldrewood Innovation Campus which demonstrated the capabilities of the marine robotics laboratory and towing tank. The participants also visited the National Oceanography Centre and were informed about the RTDI activities that the Centre conducts for the marine and maritime industry.
On the 2nd day of the workshop, Tim Kent from Lloyd’s Register (LR), presented examples of successful collaboration between LR and SMMI on RTDI activities, highlighting the importance of enhancing links between industry and research institutions as well as the significant societal impact generated through such partnerships. Constructive discussions then took place between the MaRITeC-X project partners regarding the structure of the MaRITeC-X Centre, the RTDI activities that it will perform and the potential synergies that it can establish with various Blue Economy stakeholders.
Additionally, updated results of the gap analysis and stakeholder consultation were presented aimed at identifying the gaps and needs of priority Blue Economy sectors in Cyprus as well as at international level. These results along with the input received during the presentations and discussions are expected to feed into the Science and Innovation Roadmap and ultimately the business plan of MaRITeC-X, the main deliverable of the project in phase 1.