MARISYNC project (Maritime Industry–Academia Synergy for Digital and Green Transition) made significant progress during IAMU AGA26 in Split, Croatia, in October 2026. The project team’s midterm presentation, consortium meeting, and extensive partner discussions helped shape the next phase of work. Workshops in the United States, Australia and India, together with a global online session, will now help turn the findings into practical resources for maritime education and industry.
Progress and collaboration in Split
Project Coordinator Minna M. Keinänen-Toivola of Satakunta University of Applied Sciences (SAMK) presented MARISYNC’s midterm progress to the IAMU International Executive Board. The consortium had reviewed 56 university–industry collaboration models and received 74 questionnaire responses on competence needs and collaboration practices. This evidence is informing the project’s collaboration framework and joint competence and skills map.
The consortium meeting and discussions throughout the Split week advanced plans for partner pilots, the Industry Collaboration Hub prototype and the statistical dataset. Partners agreed to document practical examples using a common approach, making it easier to compare experiences and identify lessons that other IAMU members can use.
Upcoming workshops
The next phase centers on four workshops that combine regional perspectives with international exchange. The planned program is:
• United States in December 2026. Massachusetts Maritime Academy will host a workshop on digitalization, exploring relevant skills and practical collaboration opportunities.
• Australia in February 2027. Australian Maritime College will host a workshop in Launceston focused on the green transition.
• Global online workshop in February 2027. Partners will share their pilot cases, demonstrate the emerging Industry Collaboration Hub, and discuss questions and feedback.
• India in February 2027. A workshop on energy efficiency is planned at the School of Maritime Studies, Centurion University of Technology and Management.
The on-site workshops will address three practical questions: which skills are priorities and for which maritime roles; what realistic first step universities and industry can take together; and how useful and clear the pilot cases and Hub are for potential users. Participants will help identify improvements and agree a concrete next action. University staff and students are welcome, alongside industry representatives, authorities and professional associations.
The aim is to give IAMU members practical examples and tools for developing university–industry cooperation in their own settings. The resulting case materials, workshop findings and recommendations will contribute to MARISYNC’s final outputs by March 2027.
MARISYNC is an IAMU-funded Organizational Development Project coordinated by SAMK, Finland, with Massachusetts Maritime Academy, USA; Australian Maritime College, University of Tasmania, Australia; and the School of Maritime Studies, Centurion University of Technology and Management, India.
For further information about MARISYNC and workshop participation, contact Project Coordinator Minna M. Keinänen-Toivola at minna.keinanen-toivola@samk.fi or minna.keinanentoivola@gmail.com
