A delegation from the Centre for Research in Information and Communication Technologies (CITIC) at the University of A Coruña, composed of Blanca Padín, Alexia Díaz and Vera Iglesias, recently carried out a comprehensive agenda of meetings and activities in Brussels aimed at strengthening the centre’s international presence and exploring new opportunities for cooperation in research and innovation.

During their stay, the delegation held a meeting at the European Defence Agency (EDA) with Juan Jesús Díaz Hernández, Project Officer for CapTech Maritime, where they examined European projects related to applied innovation, maritime security and defence. The meeting enabled the identification of potential avenues for collaboration in strategic areas such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, advanced data analytics and intelligent monitoring systems, positioning CITIC as a potential technological partner in high-impact European consortia.

The delegation also visited the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), where they met with Cristina García Timermans, TechTransfer and Valorisation Officer, with the aim of establishing synergies in research and technology transfer. The discussion identified areas for cooperation in artificial intelligence, digitalisation and technological sustainability, as well as opportunities to develop joint projects under European funding programmes.

In parallel, CITIC strengthened its participation in the Alliance for Internet of Things Innovation (AIOTI), consolidating its role within this European network for innovation in the Internet of Things and advanced digital technologies. The meeting focused on new collaboration opportunities and the potential incorporation of the CITIC Foundation of Galicia as an associated entity, which would broaden the centre’s institutional reach and visibility within the European ecosystem.

The delegation also took part in the reception organised by European Digital Skills, where they established contacts with institutions, academic organisations and actors from the European technology sector. This encounter opened the door to CITIC’s potential involvement in subgroups of the Women in Digital Forum, an initiative aimed at promoting female talent in technology and reducing the gender gap in digital skills, which CITIC joined this year. The centre will contribute by promoting female participation in education, digital careers and leadership. Activities will be coordinated by researcher María Suárez Taboada, who attended the reception in Brussels.

In addition, the delegation attended the final parliamentary session of the European project AF4EU at the European Parliament, an event where future cooperation opportunities were explored in projects related to technological innovation, sustainability and the digitalisation of the agri-food sector. CITIC’s presence at this event enabled the establishment of strategic contacts with organisations such as the FAO and Copa-Cogeca, strengthening its international collaboration network.

Finally, the CITIC delegation met at the CDTI SOST offices with Marina Martínez, Senior Officer for European Programmes and National Contact Point for Cluster 3. During the meeting, they conveyed the centre’s strong commitment to its strategic positioning at European level. In this context, the draft documents for Horizon Europe 2026 were discussed and potential synergies with other organisations in the ecosystem were explored.

This intensive agenda in Brussels has allowed CITIC to consolidate its position as a reference technological partner in Europe, reinforce its institutional and academic ties, and open new avenues for participation in international research and innovation projects, thereby increasing the visibility and projection of the Galician scientific and technological system.