UNIC training - The essential skills for the Future of European Ports

• Learn directly from leading European port experts, researchers and work professionals

• Build an international network with peers from Rotterdam, Cork, Malmö, and other UNIC cities

• Explore real cases through city labs, mutual learning exercises, field visits, and hands‑on sessions

• Gain transdisciplinary skills relevant for your practice trough collaborative and learning exercises

• Experience Rotterdam’s port ecosystem from the inside

This training creates a shared learning environment where participants partners exchange practices, methods, and insights related to port‑city innovation. Through the UNIC Centre for City Futures, participants will explore the topics of risk preparation, future thinking, engagement and vital systems.

The programme will feature contributions from, but not limited to:

Erasmus Centre for Urban, Port and Transport Economics (UPT)

• Giuliano Mingardo — Senior Researcher, Urban & Transport Economics

• Maurice Jansen — Senior Researcher & Business Developer

Port of Rotterdam / City of Rotterdam

• Senior Policy Maker, City of Rotterdam

• Director Port of Rotterdam, FERM

UCC / Port of Cork

• Ciara O'Halloran- Co-creation special, Centre for City Futures Cork lead

• Port representative, Cork port Authority

Malmö University / Marine Education Center 

• Senior European Project Manager, Bauhaus of the Seas Sails

• Senior researcher, Marine Education Center Malmö

Bilbao / Port of Bilbao — currently in discussion

UNIC Coordination

• Semiha Denktas — UNIC Alliance Coordinator

• Marco Aperti — Local Director, Centre for City Futures Rotterdam

Programme 

11 May – Arrival
• Arrival in Rotterdam
• Evening optional dinner

12 May – Day 1: Risk Preparation & Future Thinking
• Opening sessions
• UNIC partner insights
• Peer review & cross‑learning

13 May – Day 2: Vital Systems & Engagement
• Opening sessions
• UNIC partner insights and workshops
• Lunch at the harbour
• Engaged City Lab at the Port of Rotterdam
• Joint dinner

14 May – Departure
• Individual departures

Admissions and Fees

• Eligibility: Professors, professionals and PhDs from all UNIC cities and universities.

• Application deadline: Registration on a rolling base.

• Cost: Free of charge.

• Travel and accommodation: Not included. Check with your local UNIC office.

Please note: Days are confirmed but timing of sessions is tentative and subject to change in order to secure your spot please fill in the survey.

Questions about the programme? Reach out to unic@eur.nl.