The Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degree Program in Marine & Maritime Intelligent Robotics combines Robotics and Artificial Intelligence to push the boundaries of marine and maritime science and their technological applications. Students in the MIR international program receive a prestigious double degree, recognized across Europe and providing full access to PhD programs. These degrees are awarded based on the accredited master’s programs from the European institutions where students complete their first and second years.
This year, the Master’s Annual Symposium and Robotics Championship was organized by Instituto Superior Técnico and held in Lisbon, Portugal. The main event took place at Técnico’s Centro de Congressos, while the robotics championship was hosted at Centro Náutico do Parque das Nações.
Over the course of three days, Lisbon, a city renowned for its rich maritime history and vibrant cultural scene, became a hub of innovation for these students. Ricard Marxer, Full Professor at Université de Toulon and Director of EMJMD MIR, shared his enthusiasm, noting that this was the first event to gather all three MIR intakes. “Overall, it was a fantastic gathering where we discussed how to continue making this program a fulfilling experience for everyone,” Marxer said.
Attendees had the opportunity to hear from three renowned researchers in the field of robotics: Ahmed Chemori from CNRS, Massimo Caccia from CNR/INM, and Lionel Lapierre from the University of Montpellier. Industry Keynote Speaker Vladimir Djapic, CEO of H2O ROBOTICS, also shared his insights on the latest industry trends and future directions. The event also counted with the full support of DEEC/LARSyS and ISR-Lisboa, with the presence of President José Santos-Victor (LARSyS) and Pedro Lima (ISR-Lisboa).
Two poster sessions showcased cutting-edge research and projects by students, providing a platform for shared experiences. An alumni session further enriched the event, with former students sharing their experiences and career paths since completing the program.
Susanna Munari, a first-year student in the third year of the MSc course, expressed her excitement about the program and her upcoming move to Norway: “I already did an Erasmus, but it was just one semester. I wanted to study abroad, so I applied to universities all over Europe, especially because in Italy there are no courses about marine robotics”.
Another highlight was the Robotics Championship, where first-year students formed teams and competed, demonstrating their innovative solutions and technical skills. Eduardo Cunha, a researcher at ISR-Lisboa and part of the organizing committee, noted the students’ enthusiasm. “Many hadn’t had their semester in Lisbon yet, and they were excited to get to know the city. They were all very interested in the talks and happy about the weather and food,” Cunha said.
The event’s social program included a Reborn Baixa-Chiado Walking Tour, offering a glimpse into Lisbon’s historic and cultural heart, and a visit to the Oceanário de Lisboa, one of the largest aquariums in Europe. This all took place during the vibrant “Santos” Celebrations in Lisbon.
For the first time, a Graduation Ceremony was held to celebrate the achievements of the first cohort of MIR graduates. Técnico Professor, ISR-Lisboa researcher, and Coordinator of MIR at IST, Pedro Batista emphasized the importance of recognizing the students’ achievements. “These are very engaged students who made a great commitment by choosing this Erasmus Master Program, leaving their countries and families to study marine robotics and artificial intelligence. We had to create a moment to highlight what they have achieved because, in the end, all this is because we believe in them”.
