Transnational Partnership for Excellent Research and Education in Disruptive Technologies for a Resilient Future

Digital transformasjon, drevet av forstyrrende teknologier som stordata, kunstig intelligens (KI), edge computing og Internet of Things (IoT), er en grunnleggende virkelighet for dagens bedrifter, industri og samfunn. Prosjektet "Transnasjonalt partnarskap for framifrå forsking og utdanning i disruptive teknologiar for ei resilient framtid" (DTRF) adresserte dette behovet ved å fremme forskning og utdanning med fokus på å styrke motstandsdyktigheten i kritisk infrastruktur. DTRF-prosjektet, koordinert av Vestlandsforsking, etablerte et forsknings- og utdanningsnettverk i samarbeid med universitetspartnere i Norge, USA, Kina, India og Japan. Gjennom dette samarbeidet ble det etablert bærekraftige relasjoner som utnyttet partnerinstitusjonenes erfaringer, ressurser, forskningsinfrastruktur og komplementære ekspertise. Dette bidro til å utvikle innovative ideer og muliggjorde opprettelsen av felles forsknings- og innovasjonsprosjekter. Det langsiktige målet med DTRF var å legge grunnlaget for bærekraftig internasjonalt samarbeid gjennom en integrert tilnærming. Prosjektet fremmet utveksling av studenter og ansatte, noe som ga verdifull eksponering for unike akademiske og innovative erfaringer.

The DTRF partnership facilitated the mutual development and enhancement of unique and desirable knowledge, as well as the promotion of an international recognition for an increasingly important field of disruptive technologies (such as Big Data, AI, etc.) and its application for critical infrastructure resilience in a global context. Master's curriculum established within the framework of the partnership. Students and researchers developed a common understanding of knowledge gaps, practices, technologies and data analysis needs in the field. This collaboration built sustainable relationships between the institutions by exploiting the experience, resources, infrastructure, and complementary expertise of all partners. The collaboration also initiated a new research project for technology convergence related to enabling technologies. Through research and education the DTRF partnership brought resilience as a topic at the forefront of the academic collaborations, by demonstrating the potential of the hands-on approach. The DTRF strengthened data-driven and human-centred artificial intelligence for societal problem solving as an academic field at partner institutions. The collaboration has enhanced access to data, use cases and knowledge in DTRF in Norway, USA, India, Hong Kong and Japan. Overall, DTRF has enhanced social, academic, and business awareness of disruptive technologies (e.g. Big Data, AI, Edge Computing, IoT) potential.This partnership has now reached a certain maturity to be ready to take more far-reaching steps, like joint interdisciplinary projects and education.

Urban infrastructure systems and their effective and reliable operation ensure delivery of energy, mobility, public security and information, on a daily basis and during unforeseeable situations. Yet with an ever-increasing frequency, industries and communities face emergencies. Hence there is a need to find a new way of thinking about how to plan, design, build and manage cities under more challenging conditions. The DTRF project addresses the need by building and strengthening research and education within disruptive technologies for critical infrastructure resilience. The DTRF research and education network will be coordinated by Vestlandsforsking and will run for a term of three years. The collaboration with university partners in Norway, USA, China, India and Japan, will build sustainable relationships by exploiting the experience, resources, research infrastructure, and complementary expertise of the partners. The DTRF project application is relevant to the thematic focus of the qualifying EU H2020 project- RESILOC. Students will develop a common understanding of knowledge gaps, research methods, technologies and analytics requirements in critical infrastructure resilience, and tie this work into pressing societal information needs. The DTRF will allow for efficient exchange of students, researchers and faculty members that will increase the international collaboration between the project partners. Innovative course curriculum, increased interaction and reciprocal mobility will contribute with a strong and robust international group that engages and encourages affiliated students to get involved in multidisciplinary research topics. A vivid research and learning environment enhances excellence in research and education, which benefits all project participants. DTRF consortium will not only communicate within the research community but also with other related businesses and public sector organisations with the impact to give the DTRF more visibility.