We recently hosted two pivotal coordination meetings for the ERASMUS+ DIRTYFOOT Project, marking a significant milestone in the development of a specialized curriculum for Water Footprint management in the maritime sector.

Internal Synergy: Refining the Curriculum

The week began with an intensive internal session led by Prof. Dr. Fatma Telli Karakoç. The KTÜ project team, composed of 12 distinguished professors and researchers from 4 departments in the Faculty of Marine Sciences and the Institute of Marine Sciences and Technology, gathered to synchronize departmental contributions. The discussions focused on a holistic approach to water usage, categorizing "Blue," "Green," and "Grey" water footprints specifically within ship management, processing techniques, and shipyard operations.

A key outcome of the internal meeting was the decision to integrate "Best Practice" modules into every lesson, ensuring that students and industry stakeholders receive practical, actionable knowledge to reduce water consumption in real-world scenarios.

A Multinational Vision: The Partner Meeting

Following the internal sessions, the KTÜ team met virtually with the international consortium, including representatives from:

• University of Zagreb (Croatia)

• University of Crete - NHMC (Greece)

• IEA (Italy)

The international meeting focused on the strategic implementation of the "DIRTYFOOT" curriculum across diverse European educational and legal frameworks. Recognizing that official curriculum changes can be time-consuming, the partners agreed on a "Train the Trainer" model and the organization of "Open Lessons" to ensure the project's findings reach the public and industry stakeholders immediately.

Localized Content for Global Impact

A major highlight of the discussion was the commitment to "Localization." While the core curriculum provides a scientific foundation, each partner country will develop specific content tailored to its national regulations and sectoral needs. This ensures that a shipyard in Turkey, a fishery in Croatia, or a maritime hub in Italy can apply the DIRTYFOOT methodology effectively.

Next Steps

The project is now entering a high-activity phase. The team has set a deadline for October 2026 to finalize the full 100-page localized manuals and curriculum materials. The next international coordination meeting is scheduled for early June, where the first draft of the training modules will be reviewed.