Shaping What’s Next: CUAS Delegation Joins 2nd ACEploration in Portugal

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Educators, experts in didactic innovation, and other representatives of the alliance gathered for the 2nd ACEploration at the Polytechnic University of Santarém from July 3–5, 2025. During this intensive program, participants familiarized themselves with the Portuguese partner university’s environment, explored its academic programs and facilities, and took part in a range of networking activities. Highlights included a wine tasting featuring the university’s own production and a surf training session offering a glimpse into its surf ecosystem education programs.

The centerpiece of the event was the development of joint short-term learning opportunities in the field of bioeconomy. Educators from seven partner institutions pitched a total of 23 proposals aiming to build students’ competencies in sustainable agricultural practices and innovation, nutrition and well-being, cultural entrepreneurship, and sustainable development based on renewable local biological resources from both land and sea.

The four-member CUAS delegation was led by Rector Peter Granig, who participated in strategic dialogue with other high-level representatives, including João Moutão, General Manager of the ACE²-EU Alliance and President of the Polytechnic University of Santarém, and Juan Pérez-Miranda, Vice Rector of Research at the University of Francisco de Vitoria. Other members of the CUAS delegation included Julia Christine Marinaccio and Sangeetha Ratnayake from the European Universities Office, as well as Sascha Fink from the Faculty of Health Sciences and Social Work.