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The Silesian University of Technology (SUT), is the oldest technical university in the region and one of the most prestigious in Poland. It was established in 1945 as a scientific and educational facility for Upper Silesia, the most industrialized area in Poland, and one of the most industrialized in Europe. For over 76 years of its history, it has always been a public institution, playing a cultural and opinion-forming role in the region.
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SUT units are located in 3 neighbouring cities, are Gliwice, Zabrze, and Katowice, with the main seat in Gliwice. 15 educational units of the University – 13 faculties, 2 institutes – currently offer 46 study programmes and about 200 specializations, including the whole spectrum of engineering studies. Aside from technical programmes, candidates may also study administration, business analytics, mathematics, sociology and management – including project management – as well as foreign languages and pedagogy. SUT employs an experienced and highly competent academic staff in the positions of professors, university professors, lecturers and assistants. In addition, the university employs experienced engineers and technicians who specialize in the operation of devices that are equipped with teaching and research laboratories.
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The SUT has extensive experience and numerous achievements in the field of improvement and innovation of new forms of education, including distance learning, challenge-based learning, and postgraduate education (courses and studies), and cooperation between university and high schools.
The Silesian University of Technology occupies leading national and international rankings. It ranked 6th among technical universities in Poland in the “Perspektywy” Educational Foundation Ranking. Two study programmes: environmental engineering and logistics were considered the best in Poland, which allowed SUT to rank 4th in the whole country in terms of engineering study programmes. SUT is a laureate of the 2nd edition of the "European Universities" Initiative competition in the EURECA-PRO consortium, formed with 6 universities from Europe (2021), Grand Prix, Platinum Award and seven medals for inventions at the International Invention and Innovation Fair INTARG in 2021. SUT is the only university in Silesia to be included in the prestigious group of 10 Polish universities, winners of the "Excellence Initiative-Research University" competition organized by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education in 2019. The university identified 6 main Priority Research Areas: Computational oncology and personalized medicine; Artificial intelligence and data processing; Materials of the future; Smart cities and future mobility; Process automation and Industry 4.0; Climate and environmental protection, modern energy. SUT was also awarded an ELSEVIER Research Impact Leaders 2016 award in the Engineering and Technology category, focusing on the impact of the university on the visibility of Polish science worldwide.
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Founded in 1945
Location: Gliwice, Poland
Number of employees/students: 18000 students / 3200 employees
Main areas of focus: Computational oncology and personalized medicine; Artificial intelligence and data processing; Materials of the future; Smart cities and future mobility; Process automation and Industry 4.0; Climate and environmental protection.
Key team members:
Krzysztof Pikoń, Prof. PhD, DSc., a full professor at SUT, v-ce dean of Faculty of Environmental Engineering and Energy, head of Department of Technologies and Installations for Waste Management. Scientifically deals with the issues of environmental impact, circular economy, LCA, LCC analysis, waste management as well as the modern pedagogical approach and active learning methods.
The Institute Technology and Education (ITB) was founded in October 1986 and has since become a central scientific institution of the University of Bremen. With around 50 employees, it is one of the largest independent research institutions for vocational education and training worldwide. The four departments of the institute are headed by professors from the faculties 01 (Physics/Electrical Engineering), 04 (Production Engineering) and 12 (Educational Sciences).
Research
The guiding principle of the ITB's research is the analysis and design of the interrelationship between technology, work and education. The focal point of the scientific work is VET research with the subject areas of initial and continuing VET and occupations and vocational training systems on the one hand and their demarcations and exclusions, transitions, prerequisites and alternatives on the other.
Key team members:
Andreas Saniter, senior researcher, main contact.
https://www.itb.uni-bremen.de/ccm/profiles/saniter/index.de
Myrthe Reinsberg, junior researcher.
https://www.itb.uni-bremen.de/ccm/profiles/reinsberg/index.de
Peter Kaune, administrative director.
Gebze Technical University (GTU) is a prominent research and innovation-oriented higher education institution in Turkey. We specialize in engineering, natural sciences, and advanced technologies, with a strong emphasis on sustainability and interdisciplinary research. GTU is committed to fostering scientific discovery, industry collaboration, and innovative education to address global challenges.
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Founded in: 1992
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Location: Gebze, Turkey
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Number of employees/students: Approximately 350 faculty members and 10,500 students
Main Areas of Focus
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Engineering and Applied Sciences
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Sustainability and Circular Economy
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Advanced Materials and Energy Systems
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Innovation in Education and Research
Key Team Members
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Prof. Selcuk Toprak (University Principal Investigator, Contact Person)
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Prof. Banu Cetin (Researcher)
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Assoc. Prof. Cigdem Balcik (Researcher)
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Res. Assist. Oguz Dal (Researcher)
Training2000 is a vocational education and training organisation certified in the Marche Region for regional training, with experience in education and training in different sectors. The organisation is specialised in curriculum development and innovation, inclusive educational design and validation of competences in different sectors, from e-mobility, waste management, sustainable tourism to green entreprenurship and eco-innovative business models.
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Founded in 1992
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Location: Mondavio, Italy
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Number of employees: 5
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Main areas of focus: ICT in education, green businesses, eco-sustainability, circular economy
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Instituto Superior Técnico @ ULisboa
The University of Lisbon (ULisboa) is the largest in Portugal and one of Europe’s most prominent. Located in the heart of Lisbon, it offers a wide range of academic programs and an enriching experience for its vibrant, multicultural community.
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Instituto Superior Técnico (IST), one of ULisboa’s 18 schools, was founded in 1911 to drive societal progress through excellence in education and engineering, science, architecture, and technology research. Recognized as Portugal’s leading engineering school, IST aspires to become Europe’s top institution in its fields. This vision is supported by key priorities: enhancing academic success and student well-being, conducting cutting-edge research addressing real-world challenges, building strong relationships with industry and alumni, and fostering cultural diversity through mobility and exchange programs.
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IST offers a highly successful MSc in Energy Engineering and Management, focusing on key areas essential for the energy transition, including renewable energies (offshore, solar, wind), energy storage (batteries, hydrogen, hydropower), energy efficiency, energy economy, and energy markets. The program emphasizes creativity, entrepreneurship, and leadership, equipping students to drive innovation and turn ideas into impactful solutions. It also covers the legal and ecological aspects of energy technologies, preparing students to lead and address future energy challenges. Many courses on circular economy and energy sustainability are also offered across IST’s programs.
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IST is an international institution with more than 11,000 students from over 60 nationalities. It bridges academia, business, and society by promoting innovation, entrepreneurship, job creation, and knowledge transfer, equipping its community to address the challenges of the 21st century.
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Internationalization is central to IST’s strategy. The school actively participates in prestigious academic networks such as CLUSTER, TIME, CESAER, MAGALHÃES, TEMPUS, EIT INNOENERGY; EIT Mobility and EIT Health and Raw Materials, S3EP, and has partnerships with over 500 institutions worldwide. These collaborations support more than 50 Double-Degree programs and joint Ph. D.s with renowned institutions like MIT, CMU, UT Austin, and EPFL, creating a dynamic and diverse academic environment.
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As a reliable partner and coordinator in international projects, IST is dedicated to strengthening global alliances, expanding joint degree offerings, attracting world-class faculty, and fostering diversity, including gender balance. IST aims to empower students and alumni with the skills and knowledge to shape society through science, technology, and entrepreneurship.
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In an ever-changing world, IST is dedicated to tackling complex global challenges. From addressing climate change to developing solutions for environmental sustainability, IST remains at the forefront of research and innovation, shaping a sustainable future.
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https://www.ulisboa.pt/en/unidade-organica/instituto-superior-tecnico
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Founded in 1911
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Location: Lisbon, Portugal
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Number of employees/students: 1073 employees (faculty and researchers)/ 10.987 students
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Main areas of focus: Instituto Superior Técnico (IST) aims to contribute to society's development by promoting excellence in higher education in Architecture, Engineering, Science, and Technology by developing Research, Development, and Innovation (RD&I) activities.
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Key team members:
Dr. Marta M. Alves and Professor M. Fátima Montemor bring invaluable expertise to CESynergy project.
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Dr. Marta M. Alves is an expert in eco-design, specializing in developing innovative materials to enhance energy efficiency. Her research focuses on sustainable practices in material science, aiming to create environmentally friendly solutions that contribute to energy conservation and reduce ecological impact. Dr. Alves is an independent and internationally recognized researcher at IST’s Centro de Química Estrutural (CQE). She specializes in green synthesis and sustainable energy solutions, aligning her work with circular economy principles. With over 50 peer-reviewed publications, she actively contributes to advancing her field while educating and mentoring future generations of engineers.
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Prof. Fátima Montemor, Full Professor at IST (Dr. H.C. from the University of Mons), has been instrumental in developing the MSc in Energy Engineering and Management, including courses on "Energy Storage" and "Topics on Batteries." She coordinated the EIT-labelled MSc in Energy Storage, a collaboration with Aalto University and Politecnico di Torino, and created the "Energy for the Future" minor to address the challenges of sustainable energy systems. She also contributes to the MSc program, which admits nearly 100 students annually, and is an internationally recognized researcher with an h-index of 70 (SCOPUS) and over 300 publications. Prof. Montemor co-founded C2Cnewcap, a company producing Ni-based supercapacitors. She served as Vice President for International and Research Affairs and, before that, as Vice President for Academic Affairs until 2020.
INNOWO - Institute of Innovation and Responsible Development
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INNOW is Think To Do Tank, a non-governmental organization operating in the area of supporting the development of innovations and implementing systemic changes for the purpose of sustainable socio-economic development.
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INNOWO’s key activities span across several areas, with a particular emphasis on energy and circular economy.
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In the energy sector, INNOWO supports innovations in the industry, promoting renewable energy sources and focusing on reducing energy consumption. They tackle these challenges through research, education, and networking activities, aiming to modify the behaviours of both producers and consumers.
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INNOWO believes that the implementation of the circular economy concept presents an opportunity for a radical modification of the current economic model. The Institute aims to disseminate this concept among all stakeholders - consumers, producers, and regulators. By creating a collaborative platform, we are shaping a shared economic and social future based on informed and sustainable choices. emphasizes responsible development of enterprises, particularly supporting small and medium-sized businesses. They promote entrepreneurship, innovation, and the development of the middle class, while instilling a sense of responsibility among entrepreneurs for employees, society, and the environment.
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Moreover, INNOWO supports systemic and technological innovations in healthcare, identifying development paths and barriers affecting efficiency. They propose solutions to improve the health, social, and economic situation of Poles through economic analyses.
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Other areas of expertise include implementation of social innovations through behavioural economics, social education, and legislative involvement, aiming to improve quality of life for all social groups while working on the smart cities and digitisation.
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These diverse but interconnected activities are the key working areas that allow INNOWO to demonstrate a commitment to fostering innovation and sustainable development across various sectors of the economy and society, with energy and circular economy principles underpinning much of their work.
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Founded in 2011
Location: Warsaw, Poland
Number of employees/students: 10
Main areas of focus: INNOWO, the Institute of Innovation and Responsible Development, focuses on several key areas to promote sustainable development and innovation. Their main areas of focus include healthcare, circular economy, smart cities, social innovations, clean energy, responsible business development, and digitalization.
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Key team members:
Agnieszka Sznyk, PhD., President of the Board, INNOWO
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Dr Agnieszka Sznyk holds a PhD in Life Sciences and is an expert in the fields of sustainable production and consumption, circular economy and healthcare economics in Poland. Agnieszka has been connected with nongovernmental organizations for many years, notably as a founder and manager of the Polish Circular Hotspot (www.circularhotspot.pl) and the international educational campaign Circular Week (www.circularweek.org).
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Agnieszka serves as an Economy expert at CE Working Group under the National Smart Specializations (NSS) appointed by the Steering Committee, which consists of the representatives of the Ministry of Investment and Economic Development, the Ministry of Science and Higher Education and the Ministry of Development Funds and Regional Policy in Poland. Member of Coordinating group of European Circular Economy Stakeholder Platform.
Co-funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author or authors only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the Foundation for the Development of the Education System. Neither the European Union nor the entity providing the grant can be held responsible for them.​​