The project

MEDSAL “Salinization of critical groundwater reserves in coastal Mediterranean areas: Identification, Risk Assessment, and Sustainable Management with the use of integrated modeling and smart ICT tools”, aims to secure the availability and quality of groundwater reserves improving the identification, detection, classification, modeling, and risk assessment of salinization in Mediterranean coastal areas. It involves 7 partners (SWRI, CERTH, CUT, FST, POLIBA, MEU and THL) from 6 countries (Greece, Cyprus, Tunisia, Italy, Turkey and Germany) with activities of monitoring, sampling, analysis, modeling in 5 sites (Rhodope – Greece, Samos – Greece, Bouficha – Tunisia, Salento – Italy and Tarsus – Turkey). MEDSAL Project^© is part of the PRIMA Programme, supported by the European Union’s Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Programme.

The summer school

Is a 4-day hybrid workshop to be held from 27th to 30th June 2022, hosted by the Polytechnic University of Bari (Bari - Italy). The workshop will focus on the innovative tools and methods developed in the framework of the MEDSAL project. Scientific subjects to be addressed are structured in 4 modules, each one comprising a theoretical and a practical session where attendees are expected to actively participate in exercises, problem solving and case study analysis. The curriculum is the result of 3 years intensive research and development carried out by a well-coordinated multi-national team of experienced scientists. Tutors are well-established professionals in their disciplines, sharing long and in-depth experience from their involvement in numerous successful R&D projects and consultancies. Overall, this ensures a stimulating event that couples deep theoretical specialization with real-life case studies: State-of-the-art brought to practice. A workshop not to be missed!

Detailed workshop program

Who should attend

Scientists and researchers that seek advanced, state-of-the-art knowledge and orientation on the addressed subjects. Stakeholders are welcomed to attend the theoretical sessions remotely.

Certificate of attendance

Will be offered at the end of the workshop to every participant that successfully attended the 28 hours training activity (theoretical and practical sessions). Based on the official Italian Universities Unit Credit System, 4 CFUs (Unità di Credito Formativo) will also be recognized by the Polytechnic University of Bari either in GEO 05 (Applied geology) or ICAR 02 (Hydraulic Constructions). Stakeholders attending the theoretical sessions will also be offered an attendance certificate on demand.

Costs

MEDSAL’s Summer School is free of charge. Participants will have to cover only their transportation and living expenses. Bari is a relatively low-cost city, where food and accommodation can be found at very reasonable prices.

Social programme

As a prelude to a stimulating scientific workshop, the Summer School organizes an ice-breaking event at the historical city center of Bari for all the participants. And to make your stay even more memorable, the official dinner of the workshop will be held at the picturesque village of Polignano. None of the two events are obligatory, but certainly they come highly recommended.

The Italian south

Bari hosts MEDSAL’s summer school, but along with its surroundings is also an ideal destination to feel the vibrant Mediterranean temperament and taste the mouthwatering Puglian cuisine at its best. Make sure you allow some time and grasp the opportunity to explore the historical city center, the unique landscapes and the exquisite villages and towns nearby. Travel through a remarkable Province that hosts several UNESCO monuments and unravel its long and exciting history: Polignano, Giovinazzo, Alberobello, Gravina, Matera, Lecce, Taranto, and so many others conveniently located at 30 mins to less than 2 hrs by public transportation. Check here the main places to visit!

Application

Applications are open to graduands, PhD students, young researchers and professionals involved in groundwater research. To apply, follow the instructions below (deadline 22 April 2022). The maximum number of participants is limited to 50 (20 in-person and 30 remotely). In-person attendance is hosted by the Polytechnic University of Bari (Bari - Italy), and remote participation will be facilitated by the Windows TEAMS platform.

How to apply

Eligible applicants must prepare the following documents (in pdf format):

1. A short CV, not exceeding 2 pages in the standard EUROPASS format. You may create your CV in this format here. Please include your affiliation, degree(s)-Institution(s) they were acquired from-degree(s) mark(s) and theme(s) of degree(s) theses, working experience, English language skills.
2. A copy of the academic degree certificate(s). On the responsibility of the candidate, a translation of the certificate(s) in English needs to be submitted. This may be prepared by the candidate.
3. A short motivation letter, explaining why candidates want to attend the workshop. Letter should be written in English and not exceeding 500 words.
4. A copy of an identity document.

Please submit your candidature only by filling the present form.

Please make sure to apply by 22 APRIL 2022 - 12 pm CET

Attendance of the theoretical sessions only

If you are either a stakeholder or any scientist interested in coastal aquifer salinization study and assessment tools, and you wish to attend remotely just the theoretical morning sessions, please fill-in the present form.

Selection

Selection of the most appropriate candidates is based on the submitted applications and it is carried out by a dedicated sub-group of the Summer School’s Scientific Committee, which is entrusted with the didactic and scientific coordination of the workshop. If the number of successful applicants exceeds the maximum admissible number of attendees (20 in physical presence and 30 remotely), a ranking will be made based on overall assessment of the applicants’ dossier, considering:

• The degree and degree mark;
• The submitted CV;
• The working experience;
• The theme(s) of the degree/doctoral theses;
• The submitted letter of motivation for candidacy to the Summer School;
• Gender equity.

Other aspects that will be considered are:

• The English language level;
• Geographical distribution of candidates.

The outcome of the selection and the list of candidates admitted to the Summer School will be published in the Praetorian Register of the Polytechnic of Bari. Applicants will be informed by 20 May 2022.

The admission of candidates was approved.

Accommodation

Bari offers a wide range of accommodation options, many of them located just a few minutes walking distance from the workshop venue. Explore the map to see some of the available options, or use any of the numerous search engines to do so. As the workshop is held during a high demand period, you are advised to make arrangements well in advance. Check here the main accommodation in Bari.

How to reach Bari

Located in South-eastern Italy, Bari is the regional capital of Puglia region, and offers a wide range of alternatives to reach.

• By airplane: Karol Wojtyla (Palese) International Airport of Bari (BRI), connects Bari with many national and internationals airports, through numerous flights;
• By sea: Daily ferry services from Albania, Croatia, Montenegro, and Greece; Brindisi, just 110 km to the south, also offers a number of choices;
• By train: Bari Centrale train station has both regional and high-speed rail services;
• By bus: There are several public and private companies connecting Bari to many Italian and European cities;
• By car: The European route E55 (A14) as well as some national highways connect Bari to many Italian and European cities.

Visa requirements

Check if you need to issue a visa for entering Italy here.

Venue

Polytechnic University of Bari, Department of Civil, Environmental, Land, Building Engineering and Chemistry (DICATECh), Via Orabona, 4, 70126, room 14 (II Floor). You may either walk, use public transport (please, check here the local transport service), or drive.

COVID-19 regulations

Currently, an EU digital COVID certificate “Green Pass”, is required to enter the country and indoors spaces within Italy. An FFP2 mask is mandatory indoors. POLIBA follows the official Italian regulation to enter the campus buildings, and therefore the “Green Pass” needs to be shown at all entry points. As this is still an evolving situation, please click here National Tourist Board (ENI) for updates.

Contacts

For further information, please contact us: info@medsal.net

Administrative responsible for the procedure - Mirta Camporeale: mirtaantonietta.camporeale@poliba.it

This workshop is conducted in the context of MEDSAL Project © (www.medsal.eu), which is part of the PRIMA Programme supported by the European Union’s Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Programme and funded by the national funding agencies of GSRT (grant number 2018-7), BMBF, RPF, MIUR (grant number 1421), MHESR (grant number 2018-12), and TÜBİTAK (grant number 118Y366).