INVEST SUMMER SCHOOL IN THESSALONIKI BRINGS STUDENTS TOGETHER TO EXPLORE SMART AND SUSTAINABLE REGIONS

Αρχική Νέα INVEST Summer School in Thessaloniki brings students together to explore Smart and Sustainable Regions

The INVEST Summer School took place in Thessaloniki, Greece, hosted by the University of Thessaly, bringing together students from INVEST partner universities for a week of lectures, group work, educational visits and intercultural exchange.

The Summer School focused on the theme “Building Smart and Sustainable Regions”, inviting students to explore sustainability, innovation, regional development, digital transformation, mobility, food systems, social cohesion and circular economy from different academic and practical perspectives.

Throughout the programme, students attended lectures delivered by academics and experts from the INVEST Alliance. The sessions addressed a wide range of topics connected to smart and sustainable regional futures, including Generative AI and digital innovation, sustainable schools and digital wellbeing, just and sustainable mobilities, food waste and microbiology, local food production, mountain foods, and circular bioeconomy.

Among the lectures and thematic sessions were:

  • a session by Panagiotis Karachalios on Large Language Models and Generative AI;

  • “Sustainable Schools, Digital Wellbeing and Social Cohesion” by Prof. Angeliki Lazaridou;

  • “Understanding Mobilities for Just and Sustainable Development” by Oscar Azzimonti;

  • “Spoilage or Safety? Understanding Microbial Roles in Food Waste” by Antonio Valero Díaz;

  • “Local Foods, Safe Foods: Microbiology in Artisanal Production and Regional Development” by Olga Mª Bonilla Luque;

  • “From Peaks to Plates: Mountain Foods for a Sustainable Future. The Role of Food in Regional Development” by Eleni Malissiova;

  • “Circular Bioeconomy: Concepts and Evidence towards a More Sustainable Production and Consumption Pattern” by Georgios Banias.

In addition to the lectures, students worked in international groups to develop project ideas related to sustainable regional development. The group work encouraged collaboration across countries, disciplines and perspectives, giving students the opportunity to apply the knowledge gained during the week to practical challenges.

The programme also included an educational visit to the Smart Home Facilities of IPTIL/CERTH, where students explored how smart technologies can support wellbeing, innovation and sustainable living. Social and networking activities, including a guided city tour and evening activities in Thessaloniki, further strengthened the intercultural dimension of the Summer School.

On the final day, students presented their group projects and shared the ideas they had developed throughout the week. The programme concluded with evaluation, awards for student work and closing remarks, celebrating creativity, teamwork and the contribution of students to the INVEST vision.

The Summer School demonstrated the value of bringing students together in a European learning environment where sustainability, regional development and innovation are approached through both academic knowledge and practical collaboration.