Consortium

Alma Mater Studiorum – University of Bologna (UNIBO) is one of Italy’s largest and most active universities in research and innovation, with a multi-campus structure, 31 Departments, 5 Schools, around 94,000 students and over 6,200 staff. It offers a broad and international educational portfolio, including 252 Degree programmes, 79 taught in English, and 48 PhD programmes.

UNIBO is highly competitive in European and national research funding, with strong participation and coordination roles in Horizon 2020 and Horizon Europe, and 11 Departments of Excellence. The university is also strongly engaged in innovation and technology transfer, with extensive industry collaborations, joint laboratories, spin-offs, start-ups, and a solid patent portfolio.

Embedded in local innovation ecosystems and active in major European academic networks, UNIBO is committed to SDGs, ethics, diversity, and research integrity, and consistently ranks among the top universities nationally and internationally.

The Virtual and Augmented Reality Laboratory (VARLab) at the University of Bologna is a multidisciplinary research and teaching lab focused on virtual, augmented, and mixed reality integrated with Artificial Intelligence. Active across the Bologna and Rimini campuses, VARLab collaborates nationally and internationally and is supported by national and European research funding. The lab publishes in leading journals and contributes regularly to major venues such as IEEE VR, IEEE ISMAR, and VRST. Its research spans XR technologies, human-centered immersive systems, intelligent virtual environments, adaptive experiences, and data-driven interaction, while also supporting student projects and distributed immersive and metaverse initiatives.

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Aalto University is a public research university located in Espoo, Finland. It is the 2^nd largest university in Finland, established in 2010 as a merger of three major Finnish universities: the Helsinki University of Technology, the Helsinki School of Economics and the University of Art and Design Helsinki. The university has more than 15000 students and 4000 staff members.

The participation of Aalto University in the UPRAISE project is represented by the Information Technology in Industrial Automation group from the School of Electrical Engineering. The group operates an industrial test lab, Aalto Factory of the Future, which hosts various technology demonstrators that realize Industry 4.0/5.0, including AR/XR technologies, industrial IoT and digital twin. The group has been very active on various national and internationally funded research and educational projects, with broad professional networks with industry, academia, and other stakeholders.

In UPRAISE, Aalto leads task on Analysis and deployment of updated digital infrastructures and task on Joint Virtual Worlds Lab Service. Additionally, Aalto will provide educational materials linked to digital twins and AR/XR in the manufacturing and energy sectors.

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The University of Camerino (UNICAM), founded in 1336, is one of the oldest universities in Italy. It is a public university located in the historic town of Camerino, in the Marche region.

The University offers a wide range of undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs across disciplines including sciences, technology, law, pharmacy, biosciences, architecture and design. UNICAM is organized into several Schools and Departments and hosts a dynamic academic community of faculty, researchers, and students.

Strongly committed to research, innovation and internationalization, the University of Camerino actively promotes international exchange programs and cooperation with universities and research institutions worldwide. Its human-scale environment ensures close interaction between students and professors, fostering high-quality education and academic excellence.

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Founded in Patras in 1964 and operating since the academic year 1966-67, the University of Patras is the third largest university in Greece and has played a key role in decentralising higher education. It comprises 31 departments, 161 laboratories, and 17 clinics, and incorporated the University of West Greece in 2013.

In this project, it is represented by the Computer Engineering and Informatics Department (CEID) and the History-Archaeology Department. CEID offers education and research in computer science, engineering, and informatics, covering areas such as Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, IoT, Data Science, Cloud Computing, Blockchain, Computer Architecture, Algorithms, Networks, Security and Bioinformatics, supported by the Artificial Intelligence Institute.

The History-Archaeology Department focuses on Mediterranean history from prehistoric times to the 20th century, with emphasis on the Greek, Roman, Byzantine, Venetian and Ottoman civilizations, while also integrating digital humanities and leading projects in cultural informatics, digitisation, and virtual and augmented reality applications for museums and archaeological sites.

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The University of Naples Federico II, founded in 1224, is one of the oldest public universities in the world. The University comprises 177 undergraduate and graduate programs, 26 departments, 43 doctoral programs, and 100 master programs. It boasts a community of more than 2.500 faculty members, and over 80.000 students.

As part of its internationalization policy, the University promotes and encourages international exchange programs and student and faculty exchanges with foreign institutions. The University’s main venues are located throughout the city, with the oldest being in the historic centre of Naples, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

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Luleå University of Technology experiences rapid growth with world-leading expertise within several research areas. Our scientific and artistic research and education are conducted in close collaboration with international, national, and regional companies, the public sector and leading universities. Luleå University of Technology has an annual turnover of almost SEK 2.1 billion. We have around 1,900 employees and over 18,700 students.

The research at Luleå University of Technology is predominantly applied and takes place in close collaboration with international and national companies and partners. The research has a turnover of almost SEK 1.2 billion and is organised into 64 research subjects.

Within the framework of UPRAISE, LTU provides educational contents for digital twin upskilling in both the manufacturing and the energy sector covering development and application of digital twins.

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Founded in 1984, GEM is a triple accredited (AACSB, EQUIS, AMBA) business school renowned for its academic excellence, technological DNA and international outlook. The first French school to adopt Mission-Driven Company status, GEM places innovation, sustainability, and societal impact at the heart of its strategy.

With its EAGLE 2030 plan, GEM is scaling up to become GEM Alpine Business School, a pioneer in science, educational travel, and major transitions. It trains agile and hybrid profiles, capable of thinking and acting in a changing world.

Each year, 7,000 students follow a transformative course on the Grenoble, Paris and Lyon campuses, thanks to an immersive teaching approach and a network of more than 230 academic partners around the world.

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Created in 1996, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos (URJC) is a leading public Research and Higher Education institution located in the Community of Madrid, Spain, recognized for its strong orientation towards innovation, interdisciplinary research, and international cooperation. With multiple campuses and a broad academic offering, URJC plays an active role in addressing major societal challenges through science, technology, and knowledge transfer.

Within the framework of the European project UPRAISE, URJC participates through the Grupo de Investigación Ciberimaginario and the XR COM LAB of the Faculty of Communication Sciences. These research structures bring extensive experience in digital communication, media literacy, immersive storytelling, and the application of extended reality (XR) technologies for education, sustainability, and citizen engagement.

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Dnipro University of Technology (DniproTech), founded in 1899, is the oldest higher education institution in the region and one of Ukraine’s leading universities. Its mission is to foster an open and dynamic society through resource, technological, and social transformation, advancing as a Research University for an Innovation Society.

By combining long-standing academic traditions with cutting-edge technologies, DniproTech consistently ranks among the leading universities in the region and the country in major international rankings, including Times Higher Education, QS World University Rankings, SCImago Institutions Rankings, and Webometrics.

The university comprises 7 educational and research institutes and 10 faculties, serving over 10,000 students across 80+ unique educational programmes. DniproTech is strongly integrated into the global research landscape through a network of 170+ international agreements and a portfolio of 35+ active international projects.

At the heart of the university’s research ecosystem are 21 specialised research centres, supported by a Regional Innovation Hub and a Business Incubator. Together, they provide advanced environments for R&D in key digital and engineering domains, including Cyber-Physical Systems, Mechatronics, and Sustainable Development.

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SUPSI is one of the nine professional universities of Switzerland recognized for its focus on professional education and applied research. It is involved in several national and international projects, fostering applied research and knowledge transfer across various sectors.

SUPSI participates in the project with the Institute of Information Systems and Networking (ISIN) and the Continuing Education of the Department of Innovative Technologies (DTI). ISIN excels in areas such as advanced ICT infrastructures, blockchain, cybersecurity, software engineering, and educational technologies. It also specializes in eXtended Reality (VR, AR, MR), metaverse, and web4.0 technologies. The DTI Continuing Education offers a wide range of courses for professionals active in the world of engineering and new technologies who wish to remain competitive and aligned with the emerging needs of the market and society.

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University Sarajevo School of Science and Technology (SSST) is a private university located in Sarajevo. It offers bachelor’s, master’s and doctorate degree programmes across a broad set of disciplines, including Computer Science, Game Design and Development, Information Systems, Economics and Business, Political Science and International Relations, Health Studies, Dentistry, Pharmacy, Foreign Languages, the Sarajevo Film Academy, and the Sarajevo Medical School. SSST also hosts an ORPA function with a public project listing, supporting engagement in research and project activities alongside education delivery.

SSST participates in the European project UPRAISE as an Associate Partner (AP).

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The University of Telecommunications and Posts (UTP) is a dynamic, specialized higher education institution where a 145-year tradition of excellence meets cutting-edge innovation which bridges the gap between historical expertise and the future of Telecommunications, ICT, Cybersecurity, SMART Leadership, and Management. Guided by the evolving demands of the global labor market, UTP has positioned itself as a key partner to the industry. UTP is committed to fostering a synergy between technology and life sciences through our pioneering interdisciplinary programs, such as:

• Telemedicine and Software Engineering in Medicine: Bridging healthcare and high-tech to prepare the next generation of specialists.
• AI Integration: We place a strong strategic emphasis on digitalization and the implementation of Artificial Intelligence (AI) within management and administration processes.

UTP is fully accredited to provide high-quality academic training in three key professional fields:

• Communication and Computer Technology
• Administration and Management
• General Engineering

UTP participates in the European project UPRAISE as an Associate Partner (AP).

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Brembo is a global mobility innovation leader developing advanced solutions for vehicles and racing applications. Driven by its purpose, “Shaping a Zero-Accident Future”, Brembo combines industrial excellence and digital innovation to deliver an integrated ecosystem of technologies and software solutions through its brands – AP Racing, ByBre, Brembo, J.Juan, Marchesini, Öhlins and SBS Friction. Founded in 1961 and headquartered in Bergamo, Italy, Brembo is listed on the Milan Stock Exchange. The Group employs 16,000 people across 18 countries. In 2025, revenues totaled €3.7 billion.

Brembo actively integrates advanced virtual technologies, including VR devices for training and safety applications, as well as simulation software for manufacturing process modelling.

Brembo applies its expertise in simulation and virtual reality technologies applied to manufacturing environments. The company supports UPRAISE through advanced training and safety use cases for immersive learning, leveraging its experience with discrete event simulation tools and VR devices. Within the framework of Industry 4.0 initiatives, Brembo collaborates in the adoption of these technologies to support workforce upskilling in line with the project’s objectives on Virtual Worlds–based learning environments.

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Almaviva is a leading Italian Information & Communication Technology Group, with over 40 years of experience driving digital transformation for enterprises and public administrations.
The Group operates through a global network of more than 30 companies and 80 offices in Italy and abroad and combines proprietary platforms with cutting-edge technologies — such as Artificial Intelligence, Data Analytics, Cloud, and Cybersecurity — to lead the end-to-end evolution of processes and systems across strategic market sectors: public administration, transportation, healthcare, finance, defense and security, environment, and water management.

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Typhoon HIL is the market leader in ultra-high-fidelity Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) solutions for power electronics, e-Mobility, grid modernization, and academic research. Founded in 2008, it has grown into a global organization with seven offices across the United States, Serbia, Switzerland, Brazil, France, Canada, and Japan, supported by an extensive network of value-added resellers and engineering centers. Its vertically integrated real-time simulation and digital twinning ecosystem accelerates development cycles, reduces risk, and increases confidence in control system performance. For this reason, industry leaders and research institutions rely on its technology to drive innovation in digital power while ensuring quality and reliability. Typhoon HIL also provides the high-fidelity functional layer required for realistic immersive environments, enabling VR and similar applications to be powered by accurate real-time system behavior rather than simple visual models.

HIL Academy is the company’s global education program, offering structured courses, certifications, and hands-on labs to equip engineers, researchers, and students with practical HIL and real-time simulation expertise for modern power and energy systems.

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Sinergia combines technological expertise, innovation capacity and a strong sustainability vision to support organisations in growth and transformation within national and European ecosystems. Its activities focus on three core areas: Digitalisation, Innovation and Sustainability.

Digitalisation – We optimise internal processes by aligning strategic goals with effective technological solutions. We enhance performance, support product standardization, and develop projects in emerging technologies such as AI and XR. Our experience includes deep learning for quality control, predictive maintenance through machine learning and AI-driven chatbots for operational support.

Innovation – We design, write and manage European, national and regional funded projects. From opportunity scouting and partnership building to proposal submission and full project management, we turn innovative ideas into concrete, fundable initiatives.

Sustainability – We help organisations strengthen their social and environmental impact through ISO and forestry certifications, carbon footprint assessments and ESG reporting, integrating sustainability into long-term strategies.

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Think Loom specialises in instructional design and learning experience services, helping businesses and education providers create high-quality educational content that drives product adoption, team performance, and learner outcomes.

The company’s offe3rs spans eLearning and instructor-led training (ILT) course development, tutorial production, curriculum design, webinar materials, and microlearning content, serving both B2B and B2C clients.

With over 20 years of experience in the field of education, the team has a strong track record of delivering practical, results-oriented learning solutions for companies and institutions worldwide. Think Loom’s expertise aligns directly with UPRAISE’s need to design, develop, and deliver modular, industry-relevant educational content for advanced ICT fields.

Their grounding in instructional design principles, curriculum development, and learning experience design makes them a valuable partner for supporting the quality and effectiveness of the project’s educational outputs across curriculum design and programme implementation.

Think Loom’s philosophy and approach to learning ensures that every educational deliverable serves a clear purpose – equipping learners with skills they can apply immediately while contributing to their longer-term professional growth.

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REZOS BRANDS S.A. is an agri food SME, with expertise in superfoods and functional food, that was established in 1983 in Patras, Western Greece. The company has adopted the vertical business model: “from Farm to Fork”, which includes all the steps from the cultivation to harvesting, research, processing, packaging, warehouse storing, marketing, and distribution of the final products.  The company invests in organic cultivation of superfoods such as sea buckthorn, echinacea, and mountain tea, using precision agriculture technologies to monitor and optimize crop quality. REZOS BRANDS also leverages advanced digital technologies, including AR and VR tools, to support innovation in production, research, and training processes. These technologies help enhance operational efficiency, product quality, and knowledge transfer, while aligning the company with modern digital and sustainable practices.

Within the framework of the UPRAISE project Rezos provides AR/VR applications for sustainable agriculture training, emphasizing environmental impact, and supports digital training with AR/VR, focusing on content development and industry relevance.

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Project Lighthouse is a non-profit organization based in Greece, dedicated to leveraging advanced digital technologies for social innovation, education, sustainable development, and civic engagement. The organization specializes in Artificial Intelligence, Extended Reality (AR/VR/XR), Blockchain, Serious Games, and civic technologies, with a strong focus on inclusive, ethical, and human-centered digital transformation. A core pillar of its work is the augmentation of democratic participation and governance through digital platforms, AI-driven moderation, and participatory technologies. Through its participation in European and national projects, Project Lighthouse develops immersive learning environments, digital platforms, and capacity-building initiatives that bridge academia, industry, public institutions, and society.

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Flexbridge is a Swedish company hailing from three researchers’ desires to create an easy solution to controlling industrial automation in a simple yet modern way with IEC 61499 component architecture. The company is dedicated to creating the best Industry 4.0 control solution for any company wanting to update their systems.

Flexbridge is a pioneer of distributed intelligence for industry automation by leveraging the new 4.0 standardization, component software architecture and 5G wireless technology. We develop, market and sell smart flexible control systems in industry automation helping customers to increase flexibility and efficiency in production. Our company is located in the heart of the northern Swedish Technology Centre in Luleå.

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Poliarte is an Academy of Fine Arts and Design founded in 1972 and based in Ancona, offering three-year undergraduate programs and master’s degrees in the fields of design, communication, fashion, and cinema.

In 2022, Poliarte became part of the Rainbow Group, one of the leading producers in the European audiovisual system within the film industry supply chain. Creator of the Winx franchise, Rainbow also includes within its group the film production company Colorado Film and the Rainbow Academy, a training institute specializing in Computer Animation.

In 2025, Poliarte was a partner in seven projects funded by the Italian Government, or the European Commission focused on design research and communication, and served as the lead institution for Metaverso Raffaello, a project specifically dedicated to the Marche Region and to the international promotion of its artistic and design heritage.

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Kilometro Rosso is one of Europe’s leading innovation districts, connecting research and industry. Founded in 2009 as a private initiative, it spans 40 hectares in Lombardy, and hosts over 80 Resident Partners, 33 laboratories and more than 3,000 employees and researchers.

Kilometro Rosso provides services in key enabling technologies, grant writing and strategic innovation consulting, promoting Industry 4.0 across companies and education. Acting as a technology transfer hub, it fosters open innovation among businesses, universities and institutions, accelerating time-to-market. To date, it supports over 60 funded R&D projects worth more than €189 million.

Kilometro Rosso is connected to the community of Italian and international science parks, being an active member of IASP (International Association of Science Parks and Areas of Innovation), APSTI (The Italian Scientific and Technological Parks Network), and AIRI (Italian Association for Industrial Research).

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IMH Campus is an educational campus specialising in advanced and digital manufacturing, which works in a network with local and international strategic alliances, and offers, on the one hand, high-value training for people, through university education, vocational training and continuing education and, on the other hand, services for companies through technological and organisational innovation projects.  IMH Campus currently has three strategic technological areas: Digital Manufacturing, Advanced Manufacturing in Machining and Additive Manufacturing.

IMH Campus’s relationship with companies is natural and vocational. It is the pioneer centre in Spain in DUAL training since 1996 and a faithful promoter of the Business-Education binomial, trying to bring our value to both students and companies, especially in the field of Industry 4.0.

IMH Campus is made up of the IMH Integrated Vocational Training Centre (member of Ikaslan Gipuzkoa) belonging to the Department of Education of the Basque Government, and the School of Dual Engineering, centre attached to EHU (University of the Basque Country).

IMH Campus is an integral part of AFM Advanced and Digital Manufacturing Cluster and an Agent of the Basque Science, Technology, and Innovation Network.

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EIT Manufacturing is a public-private partnership, co-funded by the European Union and established in 2019. EIT Manufacturing is one of the ten Knowledge and Innovation Communities (KIC) supported by the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT). One of the EIT Manufacturing mission is to connect manufacturing players by promoting talent and entrepreneurship to accelerate sustainable innovation in Europe. It brings together a growing network of top-tier industrial partners, leading academic and research institutions from across the region and innovative startups, scaleups and SMEs.

EIT Manufacturing South Region presently covers countries within the Southern-Europe region comprising Italy, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Georgia, Greece, Kosovo, Malta, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Israel, Romania, Switzerland, and Türkiye.

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Aalto University Executive Education and Professional Development (Aalto EE) offers impactful education, development, and training services. Aalto EE combines a wide range of practical expertise with the latest research from Aalto University. We aim to provide a sustainable platform for life-wide learning at different stages of a career. Furthermore, we operate as a strategic partner for organizations, enabling renewal in a rapidly changing business environment. Our unique portfolio of programs offers concrete solutions, intellectual capital, and a professional head start for both individuals and organizations.

Aalto EE has three strongholds: two in Finland and one in Singapore. In addition to Finland and Singapore, Aalto EE offers education programs worldwide. As a part of Aalto University, it holds three of the most respected business university accreditations – AACSB, AMBA, and EQUIS – which place it among the top 1% of institutions in the world.

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FabLab Bosnia and Herzegovina (Association “Digital Fabrication Laboratory”) is an independent, private, non-profit Research and Technology Organization (RTO) that bridges industry and academia and builds applied innovation capacity through technology platforms, training, and real-world experimentation. Our work combines advanced prototyping and applied R&D with structured skills development, supporting technology adoption and innovation in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Our core infrastructure and expertise span AI, AR/VR/XR, collaborative robotics, additive manufacturing, rapid prototyping, and an electronics lab.

FabLab strengthens innovation uptake through ecosystem structures. We operate the Digital Innovation Hub (DIH) “Digital Storm”, supporting SME digital transformation through four pillars: Test Before Invest, Skills and Training, Access to Finance, and Innovation Ecosystem and Networking. We also operate Living Lab Centar and are an adherent member of the European Network of Living Labs (ENoLL), enabling co-creation, piloting, and validation with diverse stakeholder groups.

Within UPRAISE, FabLab supports the Virtual Worlds skills mission by contributing to the development and delivery of education programmes and certifications across XR, Digital Twins, AI, data spaces, cloud/edge, blockchain, robotics, and IoT.

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Obloo is a Venture Capital operator managing deeptech early-stage funds, focussing on tech transfer from the research lab to the market, often promoting pre-seed investments even before the company is incorporated. The team boasts 60+ years of cumulative experience in venture capital, 60+ investments, 120+ years in multinational enterprises and 100+ years in research (with two-thirds of the team holding a Ph.D.).

Obloo Ventures operates primarily in three sectors: Aerospace, Computational Sciences, Energy and Sustainability.

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BANA – Bulgarian Association of Networking Academies was founded and started its activities in 2006 as an organization which is the first contact point of networking academies in Bulgaria. The Association works to protect their interests, provides support at harmonizing their training programs and adaptation to the latest technologies and industry standards.

In addition to advertising the activities of 38 academies, founded at universities, professional schools and VET centers, the association works on the quality of training in them, provides up-to-date information on new trends, products and services in the field of ICT, as well as information on internships and vacancies in the sphere thus acting as a bridge between academies and business.

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TRAINING 2000 is a VET centre accredited in the Marche Region for regional training, active in vocational education, adult learning, in-company training, and the professional development of trainers and teachers in schools and public or private institutions.

The organisation provides consultancy and training in education, environmental sustainability, eco-tourism, entrepreneurship, European citizenship, ICT and digital skills, green skills, personal development, social inclusion and circular economy.
Its activities develop across four core areas at national and international level: up-skilling and re-skilling to improve the quality of education through innovative methodologies; digital innovation, with the design of tools and strategies for VET and adult learning; sustainable development, strengthening green competences for social, economic and environmental sustainability; and social inclusion, supporting disadvantaged groups, disengaged youth and migrants through education and training.

Training 2000 aims to enhance the quality of VET systems, promote innovation in adult education and foster key competences for lifelong learning.

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IRALTA VR is an innovative company specialized in immersive technologies and extended reality (XR) solutions, with a strong focus on the development of virtual reality experiences for communication, education, and interactive engagement. The company is committed to exploring the potential of immersive media to transform the way people learn, interact, and experience digital content, combining creativity with advanced technological expertise.

IRALTA VR participates in the European project UPRAISE as an Associate Partner (AP), contributing to the network of organizations involved in the initiative.

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The Asociación Científica ICONO14 is a non-profit scientific organization dedicated to the promotion of research, knowledge dissemination, and innovation in the fields of communication, media studies, and digital culture. Closely linked to academic and professional networks, the association supports initiatives that foster scientific excellence, open knowledge, and the development of critical perspectives on contemporary communication challenges.

The Asociación Científica ICONO14 participates in the European project UPRAISE as an Associate Partner (AP).

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ASA Institute is a research, development and innovation organisation established to serve as the head R&D facility for ASA Hospital and the wider ASA Group. The institute is designed to foster an R&D culture that supports collaboration between researchers, clinicians and entrepreneurs, and it works to translate research and innovation into tangible benefits for patients and society. Its mission and objectives focus on strengthening health-related R&D capacity, enabling breakthrough scientific developments, supporting technology development, promoting innovation culture and competitiveness, and facilitating knowledge transfer through teaching, publications, events, and cooperation with local and international R&D organisations.

ASA Institute participates in the European project UPRAISE as an Associate Partner (AP).

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Industrial Automation (DKR, German Center for Robotics) designs and implements production automation solutions with and without robots to increase accuracy, efficiency and productivity in industrial processes. The organisation also provides consulting services to industrial companies to support production modernisation aligned with current automation trends. In addition to implementation, DKR delivers education and training activities in automation, robotics, and CNC, targeting employees, students and individuals who want to upskill. DKR states it is an accredited FANUC integrator in Bosnia and Herzegovina, with authorisation to sell, service and provide FANUC programme trainings, issuing a FANUC-DKR certificate.

Industrial Automation participates in the European project UPRAISE as an Associate Partner (AP).

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