On Tuesday, 24 October, South East Technological University (SETU) presented as part of the first seminar of the EU-CONEXUS Coastal Engineering Institute.
Over 45 members from the nine Alliance Universities attended the online event. Dr Sinéad O’Halloran, Assistant Head of Department of Graduate Studies, Science and Engineering, SETU’s campus in Waterford and Dr Yvonne Kavanagh, Director of Engineering Research and Innovation, at SETU’s campus in Carlow presented on behalf of the University.
The event opened with a welcome introduction from Assoc. Prof. Florin Baltaretu, Vice-rector, Technical University of Civil Engineering Bucharest (UTCB) and Chair, Coastal Engineering Institute and Prof. Loretta Batali, Vice-rector, Doctoral Studies UTCB, Co-chair of Work Package 4 EU-CONEXUS PhD-level Joint Actions. The thematic focus of the event on this occasion was engineering, architecture, computing and sustainability in the built environment.
Smart urban costal sustainability
Following on from the introductions Prof. Ilinca Nastase, Director, Doctoral School UTCB, Co-chair Work Package 4, presented an overview of smart urban costal sustainability for doctoral research at UTCB focusing on smart, resilient, sustainable built environment. Prof. Nastase explored the various topics in detail and finished her presentation showcasing some new equipment including a wind tunnel.
Dr Sinéad O’Halloran and Dr Yvonne Kavanagh were next to present their research areas. Both gave a full overview of Postgraduate Research in Engineering and Computing at SETU spanning the multiple campuses. The SETU team highlighted the research areas particularly connected with the thematic area of this seminar while also noting that research areas extend beyond these.
Doctoral research
The final part of the event was presented by Fredrick University, Cyprus with three speakers giving fascinating insights into doctoral research. Mr Savvas Evripides, Research and Innovation Officer; PDSO Officer, spoke about Coastal Engineering, Prof. Milton Demosthenous, Director of the Engineering Laboratories, Co-Coordinator of MSc in Conservation and Restoration of Historical Structures and Monuments, presented “Vulnerability and pathology of civil engineering structures in coastal environments” and Assoc. Prof. Marios Pelekanos, Vice-Chair of the Department of Architecture, Co-Leader of Architectural Technology Research Unit and Research Unit for Historical Constructional Systems, discussed “structures between land and sea: design, implementation and sustainability issues”. Giving a mix of history while remaining linked to the thematic focus of the event all three speakers used engaging visuals to communicate.
Prof. Loretta Batali concluded the event thanking presenters for the opportunity to learn and remarked about the synergies and common topics between all three universities. Closing remarks reminded all in attendance of the opportunity to collaborate with any of the EU-CONEXUS Alliance Universities.
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