Lithuanian Integrated Marine Science, Studies and Business Centre (Valley)

1. Lithuanian Integrated Marine Science, Studies and Business Centre (Valley) Zita Gasiūnaitė Coastal Research and Planning Institute, Klaipėda University

2. Lithuanian Integrated Science, Studies and Business Centres (Valleys) • History of the valleys – 2007. Concept of the establishment and development of integrated science, studies and business centres (valleys) • Aim: valleys shall be developed with a view to building up research, studies and knowledge economy clusters of the international level in Lithuania, accelerating the development of knowledge society and consolidating the long-term foundation for the competitiveness of Lithuanian economy.

3. Lithuanian Integrated Science, Studies and Business Centres (Valleys) Lithuanian Maritime Sector SANTAKA: sustainable chemistry; mechatronics; energy; information and telecommunication technologies SAULETEKIS: physics, technology and civil engineering NEMUNAS: agricultural, forestry and food industry sector SANTARA: biotechnology, biopharmacy, molecular medicine, informatics, ecosystems and safe environment

4. Lithuanian Integrated Marine Science, Studies and Business Centre (Valley): • Background and Importance • Structure • Development and activities

5. Marine business Marine and coastal resources Marine research and studies Navigation and ports Biological Education and training of experts Mineral Shipbuilding and repair Renewable energy Investigations and experimental development Marine recreation Marine environment Fishery Maritime technology Fishing, aquaculture and fish handling Marine sociology Marine economy Marinecultural heritage Lithuanian Marine/Maritime Sector

6. Examples of practical requirements • The natural change of marine and coastal geosystems • Growing demand and reasoned use of natural resources • Protection of natural and cultural heritage • Development of deep sea port in Klaipeda • Reconstruction of Šventojiport • Offshore wind energy projects • Activities related to Būtingė oil terminal maintenance

7. Political needs for marine and maritime sector development Implementation of the integrated maritime policy of the EU in Lithuania: new approach is needed, focusing on integrated balance of interests and achievements in marine science and technology

8. Plan of Regional Developmentfor 2007-2013 foresees the region as: • An important part of the international multimodal transport net; • The region of competitive industry; • The leading region of recreation, tourism and culture in Lithuania and the eastern coast of the Baltic Sea; • The centre of Lithuanian marine science, studies and business having strong cooperation with local authorities and community.

9. Potential: ongoing/coming international projects

10. Partners and participants of the Valley • Klaipeda University • Nature Research Centre (former institutes of Ecology, Botanics, Geology and Geography) • Lithuanian Institute of Energetics • Klaipeda Science and Technology Park • Maritime business companies

11. Main streamlines of the Marine Valley Fields of the research and development were planned according to the structure of maritime sector, operational capacity of the partners and need for scientific knowledge and innovations: • Marine environment: the use of marine and coastal natural resources, global climate change, rise of sea level, coastal erosion, degradation of protected areas. Focus on ecosystem approach. • Maritime technologies: shipbuilding and repair sector, marine mechatronics, environmentally-friendly technologies, renewable energy, etc.

12. Aim and objectives of the Valley Programme to create a centre for the development of Lithuanian maritime sector: • to create a modern research infrastructure for the maritime research, academic studies, technological development and the needs of various state institutions. To consolidate the most qualified researchers; • to update and modernize the infrastructure of university-level marine and maritime studies; • to create conditions for cooperation between maritime business and research/academic institutions, as well as for the emergence of knowledge-based enterprises relying on the commercialisation of scientific output; • to increase the competitiveness of Lithuanian marine science and maritime technologies on the international market.

13. Projects of the Valley Programme • Construction of the nucleus of the Valley (research laboratories and research ship) • Development and upgrade of study infrastructure • Strengthening activities of the association “Baltic Valley” • Developing and updating programmes for marine/maritime studies • Qualification upgrade and mobility promotion for academic staff, scientists and researchers • Engineering networks and communications • Extension of Klaipeda Science and Technology Park infrastructure • Establishment of National Marine Science and Technology Centre Funding needs: approx. 70 mln. EUR

14. Scientific laboratories: Marine Ecosystems Marine Chemistry Waterborne Technologies Reliability of Maritime structures

15. Research vessel Scientific research and monitoring in the open sea and coastal zone. Other sea-related sectors: fisheries, safe navigation, coastal protection, exploitation of marine resources, port development, combating coastal erosion.

16. Implementation of the Programme: management tools 1. Association “Baltic Valley” responsible for the integration of interests of science, studies and business and open access of infrastructure. Members: science and education institutions, business enterprises and associations, etc.

17. Implementation of the Programme: management tools 2. Joint Research Programme “Natural Resources and Agriculture”: a set of indicators of the effectiveness of the Valley development, e.g.: - consolidation of scientific potential, - scientific publications, - joint projects with business enterprises, - student training, - attraction of investments, - ....

18. Joint Research Programme Further can be extended to the system of indicators of the Lithuanian marine/maritime sector development, implementation of EU Maritime Policy and Baltic Sea Region Strategy

19. International integration • Join existing networks of open access infrastructure • To initiate the new EU Project “Marine Science and Research Infrastructure Network for the Baltic Sea Region” (Are EU innovation and research policies making a difference in regions of the Baltic Sea area? 16-17 September 2010, Lahti)

20. Thank you!