Researchers from Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences (ViA), Riga Technical University, and the Stockholm Environment Institute Tallinn Centre in Estonia, along with entrepreneurs from Latvia and France, continue their work on the project "Coastal Fishing Vessels Powered by Zero-Emission Hydrogen Fuel Cells (H2-SEAS)." The researchers and project partners are participating in seminars and the "Welding Ceremony."

On Wednesday, July 9, a Welding Ceremony was held at the shipyard of ATOZ Group, a partner in the Horizon Europe H2-SEAS project. The event marked the execution of the first weld on the vessel’s hull – similar to laying a cornerstone in a new building.
The project leader from ViA, lead researcher Ph.D. Oskars Java, delivered a speech expressing two acknowledgements. The first was directed to the representatives of the European Commission, as such international research and innovation projects facilitate knowledge transfer and innovation across a wider geographical scale than national project competitions typically allow. The second was directed to Riga Technical University for involving ViA in the implementation of this project, which has enabled ViA to strengthen its life cycle assessment (LCA) research group as a new research direction.
Life cycle assessments are essential in the development of new products because, when carried out correctly, they demonstrate how sustainable a product will be throughout its entire life cycle.

The focus of the project is the reduction of the small-scale fishing vessel footprint on the maritime environment. The use of H2 as a fuel will dramatically limited noise pollution (only propeller sound will radiate from the vessel), absence of diesel engine exhaust and oil pollution will make no impact on greenhouse gases, airborne particles, acidifying compounds, and others, and will make one significant step for improving sea ecosystem quality, human wellbeing, and climate stability. Energy efficiency during project design phase will be implemented by optimising vessel’s hull form, selection of efficient equipment and adaptation of soft programs for economical use of the vessel Energy system. After design and construction, during vessel tests, we will collect data for comprising and analysis with similar class diesel fisherman vessel, and not only in energy consumption but in full spectrum of the environmental footprint.

H2-SEAS is an innovation action aimed at fulfilling the general objectives of the HORIZON-MISS-2023-OCEAN-01-05 topic. The project is funded by the European Union.

Saxion and fifteen European partners are receiving a grant of more than 1.3 million euros to promote innovations in healthcare and the field of entrepreneurship. The grant is being issued by the European Institute of Innovation & Technology (EIT HEI) under the name of ‘LEAP^XR’ and will be allocated in the coming two years. This collaborative project coordinated by Saxion, focuses in particular on the deployment of extended reality (XR). 

LEAPXR, which stands for Linking Education and Applied Practice for Entrepreneurship and Innovation in eXtended Reality, provides students, lecturers and industry partners with the opportunity to develop their entrepreneurial skills. The project which starts on 1 April 2025, aims to find innovative solutions for the healthcare and technology sectors. The focus will be on the smart application of XR technology, including augmented reality and virtual reality. Saxion is taking on a coordinating role through its Saxion Centre for Entrepreneurship (SCvO). The Saxion XR-lab will also be closely involved in the LEAPXR project along with SCvO.

Societal relevance

Partners want to use the focus on XR technology to help find solutions to key societal problems such as the ageing population and differences in healthcare. At the same time LEAPXR wants to promote inclusiveness and gender equality in technology driven entrepreneurship. Thanks to the SCvO and others, special emphasis is being put on encouraging women to take on leadership roles in sectors like XR and deep tech.

Innovation hub

An advanced XR infrastructure will be developed in the next two years, along with setting up a framework for entrepreneurship and the creation of a European XR innovation hub to support startups. Saxion will receive almost 300,000 euros of the total grant which exceeds 1.3 million euros. This money will be used among other things to develop training programmes which will apply entrepreneurial models in practice. During the project 25 startups will receive support, 1,000 students and 330 staff will be trained and twelve partnerships will be set up.

Strengthening the European economy

LEAPXR will play a key role in strengthening the European economy and innovation systems. The initiative aligns well with the activities of E3UDRES2 (Engaged and Entrepreneurial European University as Driver for European Smart and Sustainable Regions), the European alliance of universities and applied universities where some of the partners have already been working together for some time. LEAPXR contributes to building a resilient European innovation system, and supports sustainable employment. The collaboration with international partners will provide startups with valuable support, ranging from mentorship to international market opportunities. All of this helps increase the impact of LEAPXR in the long term, and will strengthen Europe’s role as leader in XR driven innovation.

The XR perspective

Focusing on XR is a perfect fit for Saxion where for example, the Health & Wellbeing XR hub was recently opened. The SCvO minor Startup Entrepreneur has led to XR related startups such as   Furthermore, September 2025 sees the start of the XR focused  . This joint master’s degree, which has taken shape within the E³UDRES² collaboration, will make frequent use of the Saxion XR Lab. Saxion will also be putting more emphasis on experiential learning with XR in its education. This enables for example, nursing students to experience other perspectives and situations that they may be confronted with when performing their professional duties in the future.

LEAP^XR Project Partners

Saxion University of Applied Sciences: Saxion Centre for Entrepreneurship and XR Lab

Fachhochschule St. Pölten GmbH, Austria

Vidzemes Augstskola, Latvia

UC Limburg vzw, Belgium

Hochschule Fulda University of Applied Sciences, Germany

JAMK University of Applied Sciences, Finland

Accent Inkubator GmbH, Austria

Stichting WTC Twente, Netherlands

Instituto Politécnico de Setúbal, Portugal

Politehnica University of Timisoara, Romania

Aleksandër Moisiu University Durrës, Albania

University of the Aegean, Greece

XR4Europe AISBL, Belgium

Crazy Town Oy, Finland

Ontwikkelmaatschappij Oost-Nederland N.V. , Netherlands

Moovd B.V., Netherlands

The fifth edition of the E³UDRES² Ent-r-e-novators newsletter is now online.

This edition highlights recent developments, events, and results that demonstrate how the project is contributing to the creation of open, engaged, and collaborative research and innovation ecosystems across Europe.

Among the key topics covered:

• Deliverable 4.1: Mapping institutional readiness for Open Science, Open Innovation, and Open Education;
• WP5 results on citizen science: a new framework for engagement competencies and interactive training tools;
• Highlights from the EXPER Final Conference, including the contribution of Ent-r-e-novators;
• Participation in the KU Leuven Open Science Day, showcasing tools and models to foster effective citizen science;
• A look back at the E³UDRES² PhD Summer School 2025, held in Timișoara, Romania;
• Recognition of excellence: IPS and UCLL awarded the HR Excellence in Research label;
• Event highlights from the Logistics Day Conference in Hungary and the Science Policy Conference in Portugal;
• Updates from the BETTER Life cluster project and other initiatives within the consortium.

Access the full newsletter here: Newsletter #5

Stay connected with our updates and follow our progress towards building a multi-institutional research and innovation hub for smart and sustainable regions.

On June 27, 103 graduates will receive their diplomas at the Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences 2025 graduation.

Graduation day will begin at 1:00 p.m. at Tērbatas Street 10 with a symbolic event – ​​“Road Bread”, followed by a ceremonial procession from the main building of Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences to the cultural center (Rīgas Street 10), where the ceremonial presentation of diplomas will take place at 3:00 p.m.

At the end of the 2024/2025 academic year, 103 Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences graduates will receive their diplomas, of which:

– 10 graduates of college study programs,

– 73 graduates of bachelor's level studies,

– 18 graduates of master's degree programs,

– 2 doctoral degree recipients.

This year's graduation is made special by several notable achievements. Three graduates stand out with particularly high academic results, receiving the status of an excellent student, while one student will graduate from two study programs at the same time, and in one of them he will also be recognized as an excellent student. Several students from abroad will graduate from Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences.