Meetings promoting innovation, knowledge transfer and the exchange of good practices in innovative technological solutions were just some of the highlights of the intensive InnovAzul conference organised by the University of Cadiz with the participation of the SEA-EU European University. The University authorities were represented by the Vice-Rector for Cooperation and Development, dr hab. Sylwia Mrozowska, prof. UG. Deans of our faculties also participated in the conference.

InnovAzul is already the second international conference providing a B2B meeting place for professionals in the blue economy sector.

- 'The University of Gdańsk supports the Blue Economy sector, among other things, through research and education conducted at our faculties or university-wide meetings of the team "University of Gdańsk for Offshore Wind Energy". Both as a university, which has the maritime dimension embedded in many of its research areas, and as representatives of the academic community of a region economically linked to the Baltic Sea, we support many projects of this kind, such as launching and running postgraduate studies in offshore wind energy or preparing such courses as Applied Physical Oceanography, Offshore sectors or the Sustainable Blue Economy programme within the SEA EU partnership,' - says prof. Sylwia Mrozowska.

In addition to the Vice-Rector for Cooperation and Development, the delegation included Deans such as dr hab. Waldemar Surosz, prof. UG (Faculty of Oceanography and Geography), prof. dr hab. Piotr Bojarski, (Faculty of Mathematics, Physics and Computer Science) and prof. dr hab. Mirosław Szreder (Faculty of Management), as well as the Director of the Office of Analysis and Expertise, dr Sebastian Susmarski.

Prof. Waldemar Surosz and dr Sebastian Susmarski attended a meeting with authorities and researchers from the Faculty of Marine and Environmental Sciences at the University of Cadiz. The topic of discussion was the presentation of the research and teaching potential of both faculties, the possibility of scientific and teaching cooperation and the possibility of exchanging students and conducting theses. In addition, ways of cooperating with the socio-economic environment and opportunities for cooperation in the implementation of such projects were discussed.

- 'After the meeting, which lasted over two hours, the Spanish side proposed, as a first step, the exchange of academic teachers and the realisation of diploma theses by students of our faculties. We invited our hosts to visit Gdańsk,' - said prof. Waldemar Surosz.

Prof. Mirosław Szreder had a meeting with the Deputy Dean of the Faculty of Economics and Business at the University of Cadiz, Ms Candela Contero Urgal, responsible for internationalisation and internationalisation matters. The outcome of this conversation was a joint willingness to get to know more closely the research teams from both universities, specialising in issues of management in maritime businesses, transport and logistics, international finance and risk modelling in maritime investment ventures. Dean prof. Mirosław Szreder spoke more extensively about the scientific and research specialisations of the Sopot faculties of the University of Gdańsk during his speech at the SEA-EU and reSEArchEU SUMMIT INNOVAZUL 2022 conference on December 2 this year. He addressed the participants, representing all SEA-EU member universities, with an invitation to undertake research with University of Gdańsk scientists on the maritime economy seen from various perspectives, including economic and management.

In turn, UG Dean prof. Piotr Bojarski met with a delegation of mathematicians, including prof. Francisco Javier Garcia Pacheco and prof. Jesus Medina. At the meeting, the two sides presented their research units and discussed the possibilities for further cooperation in science, education and joint project applications.

It is a testament to the importance of blue economy development and collaboration that the conference was held under the auspices of the Andalusian regional government and the Cadiz City Council.