Driving Innovation: Ulysseus Launches First Local Steering Committee Meeting on Smart Cities in Seville

Seville, 21 February 2025 – The University of Seville hosted the First Local Steering Committee Meeting of the Ulysseus Innovation Hub on Sustainable Energy, Transport and Mobility for Smart Cities, marking a significant step in fostering collaboration among academia, industry, and public institutions to drive innovation in these key sectors.

The event brought together high-profile representatives, including the Rector of the University of Seville, three vice-rectors, academic experts from the University of Seville, industry leaders from ENDESA, CEPSA, and the Port of Seville, local and regional government representatives, civil society organizations such as Sevilla por el Clima, and participants from other Ulysseus partner universities.

A Milestone for Regional and European Collaboration

In his opening address, Miguel Ángel Castro, Rector of the University of Seville, emphasized the importance of joint efforts in tackling the challenges of sustainable urban development. “The challenges we face in energy, transport, and mobility are complex and require a collective effort. Sustainable urban development, efficient energy management, and smart mobility solutions are not just technical matters; they have profound social and economic implications. Our role, as universities and as partners in this endeavor, is to generate knowledge, provide expertise, and work hand in hand with our communities to drive positive change.”, he pointed out.

Key Objectives and Expected Outcomes

The meeting aimed to establish a collaboration framework for the Local Steering Committee members, ensuring their active participation in the Innovation Hub’s activities. Discussions focused on:

• Aligning strategic goals and planned activities of the Innovation Hub with stakeholder priorities.
• Identifying key innovation challenges in energy, transport, and mobility.
• Defining concrete joint projects and future initiatives.
• Outlining the action plan for the next steps.

Looking Ahead

The Local Steering Committee will play a crucial role in guiding the Hub’s activities, ensuring that solutions developed align with regional and European needs. Participants agreed on next steps, including a structured engagement process, communication channels, and follow-up meetings to monitor progress.

Ulysseus reaffirms its commitment to fostering a collaborative ecosystem where universities, businesses, and institutions work together towards sustainable and smart city solutions. This first meeting marks the beginning of an exciting journey towards impactful innovation.

About Ulysseus.

Ulysseus is one of the 64 European Universities selected by the European Commission to become the universities of the future. Led by the University of Seville, the Alliance encompasses other seven universities in Europe: the University of Genoa, Italy; Université Côte d’Azur, France; the Technical University of Košice, Slovakia; MCI | The Entrepreneurial School®, Austria; Haaga-Helia University of Applied Sciences, Finland, the University of Münster, Germany, and the University of Montenegro, Montenegro.

Each partner university leads an Innovation Hub, focusing on its areas of expertise. Seville’s Innovation Hub on Energy, Transport and Mobility for Smart Cities aims to increase competitiveness in these sectors while addressing regional needs through research, innovation, and social impact initiatives.