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Climate change presents a significant threat in the 21st century, with the transport sector being a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions in Europe. Previous initiatives have not effectively curbed emissions from the EU's transport sector, necessitating urgent action to revolutionize current practices.
REFOCUS addresses this challenge by developing innovative, student-centered curricula and training in transport, shipping, and logistics to empower individuals, especially those with fewer opportunities, and promote sustainability and resilience in a rapidly evolving market.
Objective 1
Align student learning needs with labor market and EU sustainability, resilience, inclusiveness, and equity goals, while improving educators' knowledge of sustainability and climate change.
Objective 2
Engage in a co-design process to create interactive training material for collaborative online and research-based learning, particularly for disadvantaged individuals.
Objective 3
Create a trans-disciplinary learning space, the Learning Communities of Practice (CoP), for students to learn from diverse educators and address climate change challenges.
Press Release #1
Monday 11/11/2024, Chios island, Greece
REFOCUS project participates in the 7th Conference on Sustainable Mobility (CSUM 2024) in Greece
The REFOCUS project contributed to the 7th Conference on Sustainable Mobility (CSUM 2024) with the article titled “Future-ready Transport, Shipping, and Logistics: Rethinking Competence and Skills in Response to Climate Change.” The conference was held at Lake Plastira, Karditsa, Greece, from September 4–6, 2024.
The article, co-authored by Dr. Maria Karatsoli, Dr. Ioannis Karakikes, Prof. Maria Lambrou, and Assist. Prof. Ioanna Pagoni, was presented by Dr. Maria Karatsoli in the technical session “Climate-neutral and Sustainable Mobility in Practice”. The paper examines innovative approaches to Transport, Shipping and Logistics (TSL) education, addressing the need for climate-resilient skills and competencies in response to the climate crisis, as an outcome of Task 2.3 “Report on Best Teaching Practices and Needs, Existing Programs, and Co-designing the Curriculum”.
As part of the conference proceedings, the article will be published in the Scopus-indexed book series Lecture Notes in Intelligent Transportation and Infrastructure (LNITI) by Springer.
REFOCUS Project Launches Educational Hub for Sustainable Transport, Shipping, and Logistics Training
The REFOCUS project is proud to announce the launch of its new Educational Hub at https://course.refocus-project.eu, designed to provide high-quality, student-centred educational resources on the transport, shipping, and logistics sectors. The hub offers course material developed to allow students to prepare for attending the Summer and Winter Schools organized by the REFOCUS project in Chios, Greece, Delft, the Netherlands and Antwerp, Belgium.
The REFOCUS educational hub brings together the expertise of six institutions from four different countries, making it a truly collaborative and international effort. This platform aims to empower participants with the skills and knowledge needed to thrive in the rapidly evolving transport, shipping, and logistics industries.
Press Release #2
Press Release #3
Monday 02/12/2024, Antwerp, Belgium
REFOCUS to host its 1st Multiplier Event
On December 12, 2024, REFOCUS (REthinking and FOstering Competence and skills for sUstainable transport, Shipping, and logistics) will host its first multiplier event at the American College of Greece’s Demos Center in Athens, Greece. The event invites educators, experts, and innovators to come together for learning, networking, and promoting collaboration.
The agenda includes a welcome from the American College of Greece and an overview of the REFOCUS project presented by the University of the Aegean. Sessions will focus on the project’s key outputs, including Communities of Practice, MOOCs, the Education Hub, and Training Schools. Presentations from affiliate projects will address topics such as transformative education for sustainability, bicycle logistics, and digital safety training. Participants will also have opportunities for open discussions and networking, encouraging exploration of synergies for future collaboration.
REFOCUS 1st Multiplier Event Successfully Held in Athens
On December 12, 2024, the REFOCUS project (REthinking and FOstering Competence and Skills for sUstainable Transport, Shipping, and Logistics) successfully hosted its first Multiplier Event at the American College of Greece’s Demos Center in Athens.
The event began with a welcome address from the American College of Greece, followed by an overview of the REFOCUS project delivered by the University of the Aegean. Key sessions highlighted the project’s main outputs, including Communities of Practice, MOOCs, the Education Hub, and Training Schools. Affiliate projects contributed valuable insights through presentations on transformative education for sustainability, bicycle logistics, and digital safety training. Participants engaged in open discussions and networking sessions, fostering dialogue and exploring synergies for future collaboration.
Press Release #4
Press Release #5
Tuesday 17/12/2024, Antwerp, Belgium
REFOCUS Project Hosts 4th Transnational Meeting in Athens
The REFOCUS project (REthinking and FOstering Competence and skills for sUstainable transport, Shipping, and logistics) successfully held its 4th Transnational Meeting on December 12, 2024, at the American College of Greece’s Demos Center, located in Athens, Greece.
The aim of 4th Transnational meeting was to monitor the work progress, communicate details, establish the purpose and objectives of future steps. Specifically, participants engaged in discussions on curriculum development, training materials, event planning, and project management, building on the progress of the consortium’s previous work.
The meeting focused on evaluating progress across key work packages, including the assessment of new curricula and training materials (WP3), planning for the upcoming Training School in Antwerp (WP4), and preparations for the 2nd Multiplier Event in Madrid (WP5). Updates on project management (WP1) and future planning were discussed.
REFOCUS Project announces its 3rd Training School in Antwerp
The REFOCUS project (REthinking and FOstering Competence and skills for sUstainable transport, Shipping, and logistics) is proud to announce its upcoming Training School, to be held in Antwerp, Belgium, from 3rd to 7th February 2025.
Climate change, one of the most pressing challenges of the 21st century, calls for innovative and transformative solutions. The Training School in Antwerp offers a unique opportunity for participants, particularly those from underrepresented groups, to gain the critical skills and expertise needed to excel in and shape the future of a rapidly evolving transport, shipping, and logistics sector.
The programme offers a comprehensive educational experience, integrating six distinct courses that collectively prepare participants for the dynamic future of these industries. The programme will cover critical topics such as sustainability, resilience, big data analytics, climate neutrality, safety, collaboration strategies, and port innovation. With a strong focus on innovation, sustainability and collaboration, you’ll develop the forward-thinking mindset essential for driving success and making a meaningful impact in this interconnected and ever-changing sector.
Press Release #6
Innovation
Collaborative Curricula Innovation
Educators, Students, and Industry Partners Co-Design Future-Oriented Learning Materials through Interactive Communities of Practice (CoP).
Engaging Learning
REFOCUS Courses Integrate Stimulating Training, Case Studies, and Games, Emphasizing Modern Technological Innovations in Transport, Shipping, and Logistics.
Learning Online
REFOCUS Competence Hub (FCH) hosts the digitalized six courses on an open-source learning management platform with enhanced accessibility and streamlined certifications.
Collaborative Curricula Innovation
Educators, Students, and Industry Partners Co-Design Future-Oriented Learning Materials through Interactive Communities of Practice (CoP).
Engaging Learning
REFOCUS Courses Integrate Stimulating Training, Case Studies, and Games, Emphasizing Modern Technological Innovations in Transport, Shipping, and Logistics.
Learning Online
REFOCUS Competence Hub (FCH) hosts the digitalized six courses on an open-source learning management platform with enhanced accessibility and streamlined certifications.