Lithuanian Integrated Marine Science, Studies and Business Centre (Valley)

Zita Gasiūnaitė

Coastal Research and Planning Institute, Klaipėda University

Lithuanian Integrated Science, Studies and Business Centres (Valleys) History of the valleys – 2007. Concept of the

establishment and development of integrated science, studies and business centres (valleys)

Aim: valleys shall be developed with a view to building up research, studies and knowledge economy clusters of the international level in Lithuania, accelerating the development of knowledge society and consolidating the long-term foundation for the competitiveness of Lithuanian economy.

Lithuanian Integrated Science, Studies and Business Centres (Valleys)

NEMUNAS: agricultural, forestry and food industry sector

SANTAKA: sustainable chemistry; mechatronics; energy; information

and telecommunication technologies SAULETEKIS: physics, technology and civil engineering

SANTARA: biotechnology, biopharmacy, molecular medicine, informatics,

ecosystems and safe environment

Lithuanian Maritime Sector

Lithuanian Integrated Marine Science, Studies and Business Centre (Valley):

Background and Importance Structure Development and activities

Lithuanian Marine/Maritime Sector

Marine business

Marine environment

Marine research and studies

Marine cultural heritage

Renewable energy

Marine and coastal resources

Biological

MineralEducation and training of

experts

Investigations and experimental development

Fishery

Marine sociology

Marine economy

Maritime technology

Navigation and ports

Shipbuilding and repair

Marine recreation

Fishing, aquaculture and

fish handling

Examples of practical requirements The natural change of marine and coastal geosystems Growing demand and reasoned use of natural resources Protection of natural and cultural heritage Development of deep sea port in Klaipeda Reconstruction of Šventoji port Offshore wind energy projects Activities related to Būtingė oil terminal maintenance

Political needs for marine and maritime sector development Implementation of the integrated maritime policy of the EU in Lithuania:

new approach is needed, focusing on integrated balance of interests and achievements in marine science and technology

Plan of Regional Development for 2007-2013 foresees the region as: An important part of the international multimodal

transport net; The region of competitive industry; The leading region of recreation, tourism and

culture in Lithuania and the eastern coast of the Baltic Sea;

The centre of Lithuanian marine science, studies and business having strong cooperation with local authorities and community.

Potential: ongoing/coming international projects1. To make the Baltic Sea Region an environmentally sustainable place

MEECE (FP7); Balt Sea Plan, Baltic Green Belt (BSR);GRABS (INTERREG IV C)Amber, Prehab (BONUS)Moment, Artwei, Weblab, SE Offer (South Baltic programme)SMOCS (BSR)

2. To make the Baltic Sea Region a prosperous place

SDI-4-SEB (Interreg IIIA)

3. To make the Baltic Sea Region an accessible and attractive place

POWER (Interreg IIIA), Seanergy (IEE)

4. To make the Baltic Sea Region a safe and secure place

Brisk (BSR), BaltSea Plan (BSR), Baltic Master

Partners and participants of the Valley Klaipeda University Nature Research Centre (former institutes of

Ecology, Botanics, Geology and Geography) Lithuanian Institute of Energetics Klaipeda Science and Technology Park Maritime business companies

Main streamlines of the Marine ValleyFields of the research and development were planned

according to the structure of maritime sector, operational capacity of the partners and need for scientific knowledge and innovations:

Marine environment: the use of marine and coastal natural resources, global climate change, rise of sea level, coastal erosion, degradation of protected areas. Focus on ecosystem approach.

Maritime technologies: shipbuilding and repair sector, marine mechatronics, environmentally-friendly technologies, renewable energy, etc.

Aim and objectives of the Valley Programmeto create a centre for the development of Lithuanian

maritime sector:

to create a modern research infrastructure for the maritime research, academic studies, technological development and the needs of various state institutions. To consolidate the most qualified researchers;

to update and modernize the infrastructure of university-level marine and maritime studies;

to create conditions for cooperation between maritime business and research/academic institutions, as well as for the emergence of knowledge-based enterprises relying on the commercialisation of scientific output;

to increase the competitiveness of Lithuanian marine science and maritime technologies on the international market.

Projects of the Valley Programme Construction of the nucleus of the Valley (research laboratories and

research ship) Development and upgrade of study infrastructure Strengthening activities of the association “Baltic Valley” Developing and updating programmes for marine/maritime studies Qualification upgrade and mobility promotion for academic staff,

scientists and researchers Engineering networks and communications Extension of Klaipeda Science and Technology Park infrastructure Establishment of National Marine Science and Technology Centre

Funding needs: approx. 70 mln. EUR

Scientific laboratories:Marine EcosystemsMarine ChemistryWaterborne TechnologiesReliability of Maritime structures

Research vessel

Scientific research and monitoring in the open sea and coastal zone.

Other sea-related sectors: fisheries, safe navigation, coastal protection, exploitation of marine resources, port development, combating coastal erosion.

Implementation of the Programme: management tools1. Association “Baltic Valley” responsible for the

integration of interests of science, studies and business and open access of infrastructure. Members: science and education institutions, business enterprises and associations, etc.

Implementation of the Programme: management tools

2. Joint Research Programme “Natural Resources and Agriculture”: a set of indicators of the effectiveness of the Valley development, e.g.:

- consolidation of scientific potential,

- scientific publications,

- joint projects with business enterprises,

- student training,

- attraction of investments,

- ....

Joint Research Programme

Further can be extended to the system of indicators of the Lithuanian marine/maritime sector development, implementation of EU Maritime Policy and Baltic Sea Region Strategy

International integration

Join existing networks of open access infrastructure

To initiate the new EU Project “Marine Science and Research Infrastructure Network for the Baltic Sea Region” (Are EU innovation and research policies making a difference in regions of the Baltic Sea area? 16-17 September 2010, Lahti)

Thank you!