Consortium Meeting

23 de September de 202623 de September de 2026

GREENDT partners meet in Aveiro to strengthen collaboration and prepare the project’s final phase

From 16 to 18 September, GREENDT partners gathered at the University of Aveiro, Portugal, for the project’s 4th Consortium Meeting. The three-day meeting provided an important opportunity to review the progress achieved so far, discuss the next steps across the different Work Packages and, above all, strengthen the collaboration between partners as GREENDT enters its final stage.

The meeting combined technical and strategic discussions with visits, cultural activities and informal moments, creating an environment that encouraged both effective project coordination and stronger relationships among the consortium members.

From planning to implementation

The first day focused on the overall project status, milestones, deliverables, quality assurance and financial implementation. Partners also reviewed the latest External Evaluation Interim Report, presented by Anastasios Ntabizas, Senior EU Project Manager and Quality Assurance Expert.

The evaluation provided very positive feedback on the progress of GREENDT, with Anastasios delivering a clear message to the consortium: “Good job!”.

The meeting then moved into the implementation of some of the project’s key results. In particular, partners presented important progress on the Environmental Engineering Laboratories (EE-Labs). The procurement process is now moving forward, with the orders for the EE Laboratory Equipment already placed, marking an important step towards the deployment of the laboratories.

Partners also discussed the implementation of the EE Nexus Platform, as well as the development of the project’s digital learning environment. A first version of the EE e-learning platform was presented to the consortium, providing a concrete view of how the digital resources developed through GREENDT will support teaching and learning.

The meeting also included a visit to the Environmental Engineering teaching and research laboratories at the University of Aveiro, offering partners the opportunity to exchange practical experiences and ideas around laboratory-based education.

A major milestone discussed during the meeting was the development of the MSc programme in Environmental Engineering. The didactic contents and training programme have now been developed, representing a significant step towards the implementation of the new Master’s studies. The next key stage will be the accreditation process, with the objective of making the programme available to interested students from the 2027/2028 academic year, starting in September 2027.

This marks an important transition for GREENDT: the project is moving from designing and developing new educational resources towards preparing them for real implementation and use by students and academic institutions.

Putting knowledge into long-term impact

Exploitation and sustainability were also at the centre of the meeting. FEUGA led the first GREENDT Exploitation Workshop, dedicated to analysing how the project’s Key Exploitable Results (KERs) can be further valued, developed and connected with future opportunities beyond the project lifetime.

The workshop provided a space for partners to reflect on the potential of GREENDT’s results and on the actions needed to increase their future uptake and impact. This work will be particularly important as the consortium moves towards the final stage of the project and prepares the ground for the sustainability of its results beyond 2027.

Collaboration beyond the meeting room

The Aveiro meeting was not only about presentations and technical discussions. The programme also included a visit to the University of Aveiro campus, a cultural tour and a social dinner, providing valuable opportunities for partners from Uzbekistan, Portugal and Spain to connect in a more informal setting.

The planned technical visit on Friday afternoon was replaced by a morning programme of technical visits to different areas of Aveiro with environmental relevance for the city, offering partners an additional opportunity to connect the project’s environmental engineering focus with real-world local contexts.

Entering the final stretch

The Aveiro meeting comes at an important moment for GREENDT. With the project approaching its final phase in 2027, several of its most significant results are now taking shape: the EE Laboratory equipment is being procured, the first internal versions of the digital platforms are available, the MSc programme has been developed and is moving towards accreditation, and the consortium is actively working on the exploitation and long-term sustainability of its results.

Beyond these tangible achievements, the meeting demonstrated another essential strength of GREENDT: the ability of partners to work together, exchange knowledge and build the relationships needed to turn the project’s plans into lasting results.

As the consortium looks towards 2027, the focus is now firmly on completing implementation, achieving the expected results and maximising the project’s impact on Environmental Engineering education and the green and digital transition in Uzbekistan.

11 de July de 20258 de September de 2025

GREENDT highlights intercultural dialogue with Uzbekistan Cultural Day

As part of the second GREENDT project consortium meeting, which will take place in Vigo, Spain on July 14 and 15, 2025, a special event titled “Uzbekistan Cultural Day” will be held on July 15 from 15:00 to 17:00 at the Edificio Redeiras and from 17:00 to 19:00 at the Afundación building. The event is jointly organized by the University of Vigo, the Embassy of Uzbekistan in Spain, the Embassy of Uzbekistan in France, and Fergana State Technical University (FSTU) and aims to celebrate and share the rich cultural heritage of Uzbekistan with an international audience.

This initiative seeks to foster intercultural dialogue and highlight the significance of cultural heritage in advancing global values such as sustainability, inclusion, and cooperation. A key message of the event will be to promote the upcoming 43rd UNESCO General Assembly session, which will, for the first time in history, be hosted in Samarkand, Uzbekistan — marking a historic milestone as the session traditionally takes place in Paris.

The event will feature a dynamic program including:

Live performances of traditional Uzbek music and dance.
Exhibitions showcasing national handicrafts, including embroidery, ceramics, and textiles.
Short documentary screenings on Uzbekistan’s cultural sites and intangible heritage.
Presentation of Uzbekistan’s more than 100-year-old rich history, from ancient civilizations to modern reforms.
Tasting of national Uzbek cuisine, offering guests an authentic multisensory experience.
Guest speakers from the Embassy of Uzbekistan in Spain and FSTU, who will discuss the role of cultural preservation and exchange.

Beyond its cultural focus, the event is also an opportunity to reinforce Uzbekistan’s image on the global stage as a country that honors its traditions while embracing innovation and progressive reforms. By sharing its identity, history, and national values, Uzbekistan aims to position itself as a committed partner in the global effort for sustainable development.

Uzbekistan’s Role in the Global Cultural Landscape

Like every country, Uzbekistan holds a distinct place in the global cultural mosaic. With its ancient history as a cradle of civilizations and its strategic location along the Silk Road, the nation has for centuries been a vibrant crossroads of knowledge, trade, and cultural exchange.

Today, the Uzbek diaspora spans many countries, where communities maintain a strong connection to national traditions while actively participating in local cultural life. This strong sense of identity—combined with a spirit of openness—enables Uzbek people to live in harmony with other cultures and contribute meaningfully to shared development.

Events such as Uzbekistan Cultural Day play a vital role in promoting intercultural understanding and cross-border knowledge exchange. In an increasingly interconnected world, these moments of dialogue and celebration are essential for building trust, encouraging innovation, and reinforcing mutual respect among nations.

Photo 1: MarjonaKhidirova

7 de July de 20252 de September de 2025

The GREENDT consortium to hold in Vigo its second project meeting for advancing Environmental Engineering Education

From July 14 to 15, 2025, the GREENDT consortium will gather in Vigo, Spain, for its second project meeting, which will take place at the Edificio Redeiras. Over two intensive days, partners will discuss the progress made, align efforts, and coordinate the next steps. Focusing on sustainable transition, digital innovation and capacity building, the project aims to support an inclusive transition across Uzbekistan’s and Central Asian Higher Education Institutions.

Day 1

The meeting will begin with welcome speeches and a brief overview of the agenda, led by Maribel Doval from the University of Vigo (UVigo).

The morning will focus on project coordination (WP1), where the Instituto Politécnico de Viana do Castelo (IPVC) will present updates on the overall status, project deliverables, financial aspects, and the consortium agreement. The session will also include a presentation of the project’s Quality Control Plan and an external evaluation strategy. These tools are essential to ensure that the work stays on track and meets the expected standards.

In the afternoon, after lunch, the spotlight will turn to the project’s technical work packages. WP2 and WP3 will address the planning of the next training sessions, with input from Jizzakh Polytechnic Institute (JizPI), Universidade de Averiro (UAveiro), Central Asia Green University (CAGU), and the UVigo. WP4 and WP5 will follow, with updates on laboratory equipment procurement, the implementation of the EE Nexus platform, and strategies for implementing training and digital learning platforms in Uzbek partner institutions. The day will wrap up with a group discussion to consolidate key insights and prepare for the strategic planning to come.

Day 2

The second day will shift focus toward the implementation of new educational programs. WP6 presentations will outline plans for launching master’s degrees in Environmental Engineering, while WP7 will address dissemination activities, including events in Vigo and Viana do Castelo.

After a short coffee break and informal interviews led by the Fundación Empresa-Universidad Gallega (FEUGA), the group will dive into a planning session to review the project’s timeline, performance indicators, and key takeaways from the meeting. CAGU will also present a preliminary plan for the next consortium meeting.

In the afternoon, participants will have the opportunity to visit the UVigo campus and learn more about the university’s facilities and educational environment. The meeting will close with a special cultural event, “Uzbekistan Cultural Day,” organized in collaboration with UNESCO and Fergana State Technical University (FerPI). It will be a unique chance to celebrate cultural exchange and strengthen the sense of community across the GREENDT partnership.

Looking ahead

The upcoming meeting in Vigo will be a key milestone for GREENDT. As the project begins to move from planning into implementation, partners will have the chance to build on the work done so far and take concrete steps toward strengthening environmental engineering education. With everyone’s continued collaboration and commitment, GREENDT is well positioned to bring about meaningful, long-term improvements in higher education systems across Central Asia.