Research projects

The overall goal of the ICON project is to acquire knowledge about current challenges in pig production and processing chains in Flanders and enhance collaboration throughout the chain.                                                                                               

To support the growth and development of the economically significant sector 'Blue Energy,' a state-of-the-art training center is being established in Bluebridge at the Ostend Science Park, in collaboration with POM West Flanders.                                                  

The success of online shopping, coupled with the recent impact of COVID, is putting pressure on Flemish retail and the retail sector. This has direct consequences for store owners, who must reorganize themselves as pickup points for online shoppers or even close their stores.    

This project focuses on digital transformation in government. How can we enhance, expedite, and innovate public services to citizens through new technologies?                                                                                                                          

To improve effectively, companies must be able to assess their situation and select the right technologies. Both aspects do not appear to be evident for SMEs. This project aims to build a research infrastructure to set up demonstrations/validations.                               

Creating digital content (marketing campaigns, websites, apps and VR/AR applications) requires a thorough understanding of end-user experiences and responses. Traditional methods such as surveys provide valuable insights, but often miss the unconscious responses.                 

Since January 2021, SIOPA (Smart Immersive Occupational Performance Assessment) has been underway as a practice-oriented scientific research project (PWO). VR (Virtual Reality) applications are being developed for individuals with acquired brain injury and visual difficulties.