Prof. Luben Boyanov’s visit to the Arab Academy for Science, Technology & Maritime Transport (AASTMT) in Alexandria
During his second secondment visit to the Arab Academy for Science, Technology & Maritime Transport (AASTMT) in Alexandria, Egypt, as part of the ongoing activities under the STUDIES-DIG Horizon Europe project, Prof. Luben Boyanov, a representative of the University of National and World Economy (UNWE), Bulgaria, undertook several important visits and tasks in June/July 2025.
Prof. Boyanov met with Prof. Ahmed Khalifa Mehanna, Vice Dean of Student Affairs and Project Coordinator at AASTMT, and engaged in discussions on institutional culture and values in the digital era, along with various administrative matters.
He also visited Prof. Mahmoud Mansour, Director of the Secured Certificates Center at AASTMT, to discuss the Academy’s initiatives related to staff training in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the use of AI tools. Since 2024, AASTMT has been offering AI courses to all academic staff, including lecturers, teachers, and professors. These courses span two days (4–6 hours each) and cover key topics such as business resilience, organizational agility, performance management systems, and critical thinking.
In collaboration with educational partners from Germany, AASTMT is currently implementing a “Digital University” initiative. This encompasses fully digital lecturing, teaching, examinations, and the issuance of digital degree diplomas. Training is also provided on how to conduct digital exams effectively.
Prof. Boyanov, together with his hosts, also met with Prof. Ahmed Shehata, Head of the Marine and Offshore Engineering Department; Prof. Ahmed Mehanna, Professor of Marine Engineering; and Eng. Miral Michel, Teaching Assistant in the same department. They held extensive discussions on AI-assisted education. Prof. Shehata and the team introduced several departmental projects, two of which stood out for their innovation and relevance.
One project involves the development of an underwater device designed for manipulation tasks in marine environments. Using machine learning (ML) techniques, the device performs underwater maintenance procedures. A working prototype has already been developed and is currently undergoing testing, with the ML model being trained on real-world data.
Another notable project focuses on the creation of a vessel that functions as a fire-fighting tool at sea, also leveraging AI/ML technologies. This project reflects AASTMT’s commitment to cutting-edge research and the practical application of AI in the maritime sector.
All meetings took place at AASTMT’s Main Campus and the Centric Campus (AASTMT Miami Campus). On the other hand, the team also visited a famous restaurant in Alexandria, enhancing their multicultural cooperation by enjoying traditional Egyptian cuisine and exploring cultural exchange through visits to heritage sites in Egypt.
