Greenshift

GreenShift - Advancing the Green and Digital Transition through AI and High-Performance Computing (HPC)

Europe faces an urgent challenge: to accelerate the green and digital transitions simultaneously, ensuring that technological innovation directly contributes to environmental sustainability. The transport and mobility sectors, responsible for a significant share of greenhouse gas emissions, are at the center of this transformation. Achieving carbon neutrality demands a new generation of professionals capable of applying Artificial Intelligence (AI) and High-Performance Computing (HPC) to optimize transport systems, improve efficiency, and support evidence-based decision-making.

The GreenShift project responds to this challenge by creating the first Joint European Master’s Programme in AI and HPC with a dedicated focus on sustainability and the green transition of the transport sector. The initiative aims to bridge the growing skills gap in Europe by training over 1,500 professionals, including students, SMEs, and public sector staff, through a comprehensive educational ecosystem combining degree programmes, short courses, and specialized training.

By integrating AI and HPC into higher education and lifelong learning, GreenShift promotes a paradigm shift in how digital technologies are used to design greener, smarter, and more resilient mobility systems. It connects academic excellence, industrial innovation, and policy priorities, contributing to the European Green Deal and the EU Digital Strategy.

Through a modular and practice-oriented model, the project will:

• Establish a Joint European Master’s Programme in AI and HPC, co-designed with universities and industry to ensure both academic rigor and market relevance.
• Develop short-term training programmes for professionals and SMEs seeking to implement AI and HPC for sustainability challenges.
• Integrate innovation projects, hackathons, and internships that connect learners with real-world transport and urban sustainability use cases.
• Build a sustainable European education ecosystem, supported by mobility schemes, online learning tools, and long-term partnerships between academia and industry.

Partnership: The project is coordinated by the National College of Ireland (NCI) and brings together 18 partners from 9 European countries, forming a consortium that unites universities, research institutions, companies, and innovation experts committed to advancing sustainable digital transformation.

• Universities and Research Institutes: National College of Ireland (IE), University of Pisa (IT), NOVA IMS (PT), Polytechnic University of Bucharest (RO), Eindhoven University of Technology (NL), University of Stuttgart (DE), and CINECA (IT).
• Industry and Training Partners: Amazon Web Services (AWS) (LU), Adecco (IT), Fastrack into Information Technology (IE), Digital Technology Skills Limited (IE), HT Group (HR), Matrix Internet Application Ltd. (PL), and Matrix Internet (IE).
• Innovation and Policy Experts: European Business and Innovation Centre Network (BE), SURF (NL), and Schuman Associates (BE).

Within GreenShift, NOVA IMS leads the design and implementation of the Master’s programme online modules and lectures, ensuring that digital innovation and sustainability perspectives are deeply integrated into the educational framework. NOVA IMS is responsible for the pilot implementation and subsequent iterations of the full-time and part-time European Master’s in AI and High-Performance Computing, delivered through hybrid and online learning models. This includes coordinating the launch and continuous improvement of multiple programme editions and ensuring accessibility for diverse audiences across Europe through digital delivery and multilingual resources.

NOVA IMS also contributes to the development of quality assurance and accreditation mechanisms within the programme, collaborating with academic and industry partners to align educational standards with European frameworks. Its expertise supports the creation of innovative digital learning environments, integrating advanced data analytics, AI-based pedagogical methods, and adaptive feedback systems that enhance learner engagement and outcomes.

In addition, NOVA IMS plays a key role in the long-term sustainability and scalability strategy of the GreenShift educational model. The institution contributes to defining frameworks for programme replication across Europe, engaging with stakeholders to expand the network of higher education institutions and fostering collaboration between academia, industry, and policymakers.

Funding programme: Digital Europe Programme – DIGITAL-2024-ADVANCED-DIGITAL-07 (Project ID: 101226222).

Total funding: €9,997,421.64

Funding to NOVA IMS: €939,397.94

Duration: 01/10/2025 – 30/09/2029