Ghent University is a powerhouse of blue innovation. However, by its very nature (at sea, offshore), this work is invisible to the mainstream public. At Flanders Technology and Innovation (FTI) Gent, BLUEGent brings the sea to Ghent in three different ways, inherently showcasing BLUEGent’s transdisciplinary way of working.

At FTI-The Restaurant, UGent seaweed will be served for the first time straight from the lab to the plate. At FTI-The Summit, the relation of humanity with the sea will be discussed, and how UGent is bringing innovative technologies to the market in a rapidly changing society. Mixed media artist Vincent Braeckman will add to this perspective by linking art and science. Vincent designed BLUEGent’s immersive art installation at FTI-The Expo.

The first short-term impact numbers are: The Expo: ~1,500 visitors, The Restaurant: 2,000 visitors, The Summit: ~50 attendees. Follow-up leads were generated for collaboration in the artistic, culinary and industrial scene at large.