Summer school INVEST: The BS²R – Building Smart & Sustainable Regions Summer School 2026
13.07.2026
Hosted in Thessaloniki (Greece) by the University of Thessaly, the summer school brought during June, 9 – July, 3, 2026 together students from seven countries: Spain, Greece, France, Italy, Bulgaria, Finland, and Slovakia within the INVEST – European University Alliance. SUA in Nitra (Slovak University of Agriculture) was represented by four students, two from FBP SUA and two from FEM SUA in Nitra.
During the summer school, the participants focused intensively on the topics of sustainability, digital transformation, smart region development, sustainable mobility, food systems, bioeconomy, and regional development.
The program included lectures by prominent experts, such as Dr. Onoufrios Haralampous (University of Thessaly) on the topic of green and digital transformation, and Dr. Maurizio F. Acciarri (Università degli Studi di Milano-Bicocca) on the topic of smart energy and nearly
zero-energy buildings. Lectures on AI and human-technology collaboration, remote Earth sensing, and digital wellbeing were also highly interesting.
The professional program additionally featured a visit to the IPTIL/CERTH research center, where students familiarized themselves with modern technologies used in smart homes. As part of the summer school, international teams worked on solving project tasks.
In addition to the academic program, students had the opportunity to experience international networking and cultural activities—an official dinner and a cruise on the Thermaic Gulf, which fostered cooperation and the exchange of experiences. Naturally, they also explored Thessaloniki during a guided city tour.
On Friday, the summer school participants presented their projects and successfully concluded a week full of new experiences, knowledge, and international contacts.
Thank you to everyone who was a part of BS²R 2026!
