Project overview

The University of Bologna provides financial contributions to promote innovative initiatives promoted by the Departments in the framework of international inter-university or industry cooperation agreements, already signed and in force at the date of this notice. 

Projects must initiate or be integrated with internationalisation initiatives and activities of the proposing structure(s), linked to implementation of the strategic plan of the structure(s) and of the university, and must promote the University of Bologna at an institutional level.

The present project was presented by the Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences (BiGeA) and selected by the University of Bologna under the 2026 call for proposals. The project activities started in August 2026 and will be completed by July 2028.

The Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology (VAST) is one of the country’s leading research institutions, playing a crucial role in advancing scientific knowledge, technological development, and national innovation. It supports Vietnam’s socio-economic growth through research in natural sciences, environmental studies, and applied technologies. Although VAST is not a traditional university, but rather a large research institution, by statute it carries out university education activities, both through affiliated institutions and with its own master's, doctoral, and post-doc programs. Within VAST, the Institute of Oceanography (IO) in Nha Trang is a key centre for marine research and post-graduate programs. It focuses on understanding Vietnam’s coastal and marine environments, supporting sustainable management of marine resources, and contributing to biodiversity conservation. The Department of Marine Ecology and Environment of IO-VAST specifically studies marine ecosystems and their interactions with environmental factors. Its work includes research on coral reefs, seagrass beds, and marine biodiversity, as well as assessing human impacts such as pollution and climate change, with the aim of promoting conservation and sustainable use of marine ecosystems.

IO-VAST was chosen as a partner for its location, hands-on experience, and recently established scientific collaboration (e.g., the Italy-Vietnam cooperation “Vibrant” project, co-financed by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, https://site.unibo.it/vibrant). Strategically positioned along a coastline highly vulnerable to human impacts and climate change, IO-VAST provides a "living laboratory" for studying habitat degradation, marine biodiversity decline, and coastal urbanisation. This location offers an exceptional opportunity to compare Mediterranean and tropical/subtropical coastal systems, exchange approaches to ecosystem monitoring and allows for direct, field-based training. A 5-years international cooperation agreement between IO-VAST and BiGeA-UNIBO for visiting staff and student mobility, signed on January 10, 2025 (Annex 3 - international cooperation agreements signed at the individual structure level) is in force. The collaboration between IO-VAST and BiGeA-UNIBO is also justified by the growing global interest in cross-regional innovative approaches to monitor coastal resilience and biodiversity trends.

IO-VAST has demonstrated its institutional readiness to support student mobility and joint research activities, and it shares a strong commitment to sustainability, internationalization, and youth training. The academy has participated in multiple international programs and is equipped to host and mentor students through structured internships and field-based modules. This collaboration will not only benefit participating students and researchers, but also reinforce institutional ties, co-develop replicable models of education linked to marine habitat monitoring, and promote long-term academic cooperation between Italy and Vietnam.

The BLUE FUTURES project, Innovative Monitoring for Coastal Resilience and Biodiversity Conservation, aims to establish a structured cooperation and exchange program between the Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences (BiGeA-UNIBO) and the Department of Marine Ecology and Environment of the Institute of Oceanography at the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology (IO-VAST), focused on education, mobility, applied training and practical implementation of coastal resilience and biodiversity conservation monitoring approaches such as underwater 3D-photogrammetry and environmental-DNA. The project addresses the urgent need for interdisciplinary, cross-regional training in habitat monitoring while fostering international academic cooperation and student mobility. Moreover, it responds to the growing need for graduates able to address environmental challenges affecting coastal regions worldwide, including habitat degradation, climate change impacts, marine biodiversity decline, and increasing human pressures on coastal ecosystems.

The goal is to create a mutual knowledge exchange and reciprocal learning environment in which staff and students/trainees from both institutions engage in fieldwork, research, and apply shared best and innovative practices to monitor and preserve marine and coastal environments. By comparing the Mediterranean coastal context with the tropical ecosystems of central Vietnam, both highly vulnerable for different reasons, participants will face distinct habitat conservation challenges and sociocultural contexts. The exchange gives staff and students a chance to gain practical experience in coastal resilience and biodiversity conservation while engaging directly with the cultural and ecological challenges of working in different parts of the world. It also offers insight into how local communities relate to their marine environments and the approaches they use to manage human pressures and disturbances. The project introduces a novel model of student and staff mobility focused on applied marine and environmental sciences. It emphasizes practical experience based on "learning by doing", shared responsibility, and reciprocal capacity-building. This integrated approach addresses the innovation dimension by combining field-based coastal monitoring work with structured academic training across region.

The aims of the project perfectly align with the BiGeA Departmental Strategic Plan 2025-2027, specifically with objective D.04 "Promote study and research training experiences abroad" and objective D.01 "Increase the attractiveness of the training offer". It also strongly supports the University of Bologna’s Strategic Plan 2022-2027 objectives such as "O.12 - Increase international mobility of teaching, technical and administrative staff", "O.18 - Encourage study and research training experiences abroad", "O.19 - Strengthen international teaching", and "O.21 - Encourage interdisciplinary research".

The BLUE FUTURES is a 24-month project structured into 2-cycles of blended workshops and mobilities. Faculties from both institutions will co-plan and -supervise all activities to ensure alignment with academic standards and local contexts. Student/trainee selection will be merit-based and inclusive, ensuring gender balance and adhering to the principles of publicity, impartiality, and transparency as required by Law 15/2005 and the UNIBO Statute (Art. 3.2).

Preparatory Phase (pm1–4)

• Coordination meetings to define objectives, logistics, and safety procedures.
• Students/trainees’ selection for the 1^st exchange cycle

1^st Exchange Cycle (pm5–15)

• 1^st online workshop on innovative monitoring technologies and approaches to assess environmental status in different ecosystems.
• 2^nd online workshop on temperate and tropical marine biodiversity conservation focused on nature-based solutions and human pressure on coastal ecosystem.
• 2 students/trainees and 1 staff member from IO-VAST visit BiGeA-UNIBO for field sampling, laboratory analyses, and data processing
• 2 students and 2 staff members from BiGeA-UNIBO visit IO-VAST research station for field sampling, laboratory analyses, and data processing

2^nd Exchange Cycle (pm16–23)

• Midterm report and students’ selection for the 2^nd exchange cycle

• 3^rd online workshop on innovative monitoring technologies and approaches to assess habitat and assemblages’ status in temperate and tropical ecosystems, integrating lessons learned from the first cycle.
• 4^th online workshop on temperate and tropical marine biodiversity conservation focused on nature-based solutions and human pressure on coastal ecosystem and coastal management strategies, integrating lessons learned from the first cycle.
• 2 students and 1 staff member from IO-VAST visit BiGeA-UNIBO (Ravenna Campus) for field sampling, laboratory analyses, and data processing
• 2 students and 2 staff members from BiGeA-UNIBO visit IO-VAST for field sampling, laboratory analyses, and data processing

Consolidation & Dissemination (pm24)

• “BLUE FUTURES Day” closing event bringing together participants, faculty, and external stakeholders to present outcomes and lessons learned with case studies presentations by students/trainees
• Final report

The online workshops will be opened to all staff members and students from relevant degree programs at UNIBO and VAST, with at least 2 speakers per organisation and an external invited speaker.

Students/trainees will be encouraged to participate in local citizen science projects and document their experiences through social media and digital storytelling to enhance the international visibility of both institutions.

The BLUE FUTURES project is expected to generate tangible academic, environmental, and social outcomes relevant to BiGeA department and UNIBO strategic plans, as well as to the social and environmental commitments of VAST.

Benefits for students/trainees from both institutions:

• Acquisition of cross-disciplinary and practical skills in environmental monitoring, coastal resilience, and biodiversity conservation.
• Enhanced intercultural skills and global environmental awareness, empowering students to understand and manage human impacts across different geographical regions.
• Increased employability and preparation for international careers in marine conservation and environmental management.

Benefits for both academic institutions:

• Strengthened ties between UNIBO and VAST, laying the groundwork for future joint research, thesis co-supervision, and international education initiatives.
• Improved visibility and attractiveness of both institutions within global academic networks in marine science, directly supporting BiGeA’s strategic objective to increase the international appeal of its degree programs (BiGeA Departmental Strategic Plan 2025-2027: D.01) and UNIBO strategic objective to encourage study and research training experiences abroad (Strategic Plan 2022-2027: O.18).
• Establishment of a transferable, blended model (integrating online collaborative learning and field-based mobility) for small-scale, high-impact student exchanges.

Environmental and social impacts:

• Contribution to ongoing coastal protection and biodiversity monitoring efforts in both temperate and tropical areas (e.g., the co-funded Italy-Vietnam cooperation “Vibrant” project https://site.unibo.it/vibrant, co-coordinated by UNIBO).
• Creation of open-access educational materials and outreach content to support knowledge dissemination.
• Promotion of equitable international partnerships, highlighting the value of mutual learning, capacity-building, and the integration of diverse ecological perspectives.
• Creation of opportunities for public engagement by involving staff members and students/trainees in local community-based monitoring activities and cultural exchanges during their mobility, reinforcing the "Third Mission" goals of the department (BiGeA Departmental Strategic Plan 2025-2027: S.02 “Scale up and enhance the effectiveness of public engagement initiatives”).
• By collaborating with VAST on capacity building in Southeast Asia, the project directly supports UNIBO's Objective O.36 (Enhance cooperation projects for social, economic, and cultural development).

The defined project objectives, the structured implementation plan, and the achievable results reflect a strong and thoughtful alignment with the priorities of international academic cooperation. It perfectly addresses the call’s goal to develop blended educational collaborations and special mobility schemes for students and PhD students, maximizing the long-term impact on the international dimension of the Department.