Main Partner
November 23, 2026 | 13:00-16:30
NCBR Office & Business and Science Poland, Rue Belliard 40, Brussels
(by invitation only)
The speed of technology adaptation in modern conflicts requires a major shift from traditional, multi-year university research to rapid R&D. This panel will examine how universities can become agile centers for quick prototyping, testing, and deployment of dual-use technologies. Special emphasis will be placed on leveraging the new EU funding frameworks—such as Poland’s SAFE programme for defense capabilities and infrastructure investments—to bridge the gap between academic innovation and frontline military needs. By streamlining administrative processes, adopting iterative development methods, and utilizing strategic defense expenditure programs, academic labs can drastically reduce innovation timelines from years to months, directly boosting Europe’s overall defense readiness.
Protecting Europe’s critical infrastructure depends on fast defense technology progress on land and sea, in air and space. Technical universities are leading in integrating military-grade Artificial Intelligence (AI) into drones and autonomous systems to support swarming technology and real-time data processing. At the same time, academic advances in satellite data analysis and secure satellite communication offer an essential defense against hybrid threats. This panel will highlight how combining AI, robotics, and space technologies help create a stronger shield for European assets.
The EU Commission and defense industry forecast (including EU Pact for Skills) indicate that Europe’s aerospace and defense ecosystem face a major generational shift, with up to 40% of its workforce reaching retirement age within the next decade. To sustain strategic autonomy and scale of production, the broader dual-use sector requires an influx of over 100,000 skilled professionals annually—particularly in cybersecurity, AI, space technologies, and advanced materials. Technical universities must urgently adapt their academic pipelines to bridge this engineering gap. This panel will examine how universities and industry can co-create new curricula, flexible micro-credentials, and joint training programs to meet the demand of the EU’s defense workforce and prepare the next generation of engineers for the European resilience.
Presentation of the European Ranking of Engineering Programs results
Founder
Perspektywy Educational Foundation
Director
NCBR Office in Brussels
CEO
Business & Science Poland
Secure your spot at this important event
NCBR Office & Business and Science Poland
Rue Belliard 40
Brussels, Belgium
Bartosz Stawiarz
Seminar Program / Partnerships, COO at Perspektywy
Email: b.stawiarz@perspektywy.pl
Phone: +48 665 645 248
Magdalena Chróstna
Seminar Organization
Email: m.chrostna@perspektywy.pl
Phone: +48 22 629 53 26