In early February 2026, the SUNDANSE coordination team from Universitatea „Dunărea de Jos” din Galați (UDJG) hosted two synergy events onboard the REXDAN research vessel. Over two consecutive days, the SUNDANSE project hosted approximately 100 participants – including researchers, students, and institutional delegates – to discuss the future of sustainable water management and the blue economy.
9 February: Connecting with ACCESS-UP initiative
The first event focused on the intersection of research and regional education. In collaboration with the Access-Up: Accesibilitate și suport pentru elevi și studenți initiative (under the Education and Employment Programme, PEO), the SUNDANSE team welcomed 40 experts and students.
Event highlights:
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Technical immersion: Participants explored the onboard laboratories to see firsthand how sediment data is collected and analysed.
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Visual storytelling: The team showcased films and photos from recent SUNDANSE missions, bringing the scientific process to life for the students.
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Strategic dialogue: Discussions centred on the urgent need for intelligent management of aquatic ecosystems, particularly regarding the Danube’s role in sustainable development.
The engagement from the ACCESS-UP group confirmed a strong local appetite for SUNDANSE’s research results and highlighted the importance of bridging the gap between academia and public awareness.
10 February: Welcoming RUN-EU Alliance delegation
On the second day, the focus shifted to large-scale institutional cooperation. A delegation from the RUN-EU (Regional University Network – European University) gathering approximately 50 participants joined our team on the REXDAN vessel, During the visit, the SUNDANSE coordinator – Prof. L. Georgescu, presented the SUNDANSE project, its objectives, ongoing activities, and the results achieved so far. The presentation generated strong interest among the participants and opened valuable discussions regarding collaboration and impact.
Key highlights:
- Continuous research: The visit demonstrated how the Danube serves as a “living laboratory” for interdisciplinary research, particularly in the fields of environmental sustainability, blue economy, climate adaptation and regional resilience.
- Regional development: By presenting achieved results and ongoing activities, SUNDANSE illustrated how the REXDAN infrastructure supports place-based innovation and sustainable regional development.
- Future plans: The presentation sparked discussions on how SUNDANSE results could be integrated at an alliance level, benefiting all partner universities within RUN-EU.
Both visits had a clear goal: To foster scientific cooperation, promote SUNDANSE results, and encourage participation in the Open Call among regional and international stakeholders.
The strategic role of REXDAN
REXDAN vessel is the largest freshwater floating laboratory which acts as a bridge for transnational cooperation, allowing diverse projects to share data, tools, and expertise. By aligning with initiatives like RUN-EU and ACCESS-UP, SUNDANSE ensures that its research on sediment management has a lasting impact on European regional development. These visits were strategic sessions aimed at aligning the SUNDANSE mission with broader European educational and research frameworks.
