Arta had the honor of serving as a meeting point for science, art, and technology as part of the international Blended Intensive Programme (BIP) titled “Science and New Technologies in Art,” which is implemented by the School of Fine Arts at the University of Ioannina in collaboration with the Department of Informatics and Telecommunications in Arta.

The program was attended by 55 researchers, academics, and students from distinguished European universities, including the Sorbonne (France), Milan (Italy), Regensburg (Germany), and Winchester (United Kingdom), confirming the international nature of the initiative and the University of Ioannina’s dynamic outreach.

During their visit to Arta, the participants visited the facilities of the Department of Informatics and Telecommunications, where scientific lectures, presentations, and creative discussions on the connection between art and new technologies, highlighting contemporary applications of digital creation, artificial intelligence, interactive media, and immersive experiences.

They were then hosted at the campus student restaurant, followed by a tour of the historic center of Arta, giving visitors the opportunity to experience the city’s cultural identity, history, and hospitality.

A particularly memorable highlight of the day was the visit to the EpirusXRCenter, where participants got a firsthand look at a comprehensive ecosystem of innovation and advanced technologies. There, they had the opportunity to tour the impressive CAVE immersive room, experiencing highly immersive 3D interactive environments, as well as try out Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR), and Mixed Reality (MR) applications.

At the same time, they were introduced to haptic feedback systems, where touch and interaction are transferred to the digital world, eye-tracking technologies with gaze recording and analysis, as well as the driving simulator, which is used for educational and research purposes.

The AI Piano also attracted particular interest, an innovative interactive artificial intelligence music system, as well as the presentation of the MineArt research project, which connects technology, cultural heritage, and creative expression through modern digital applications.

The international visitors expressed their enthusiasm for the level of expertise, the advanced equipment, and the research capabilities being developed in Arta, confirming that a strong hub of innovation with a European perspective is emerging in the region.

The successful implementation of this initiative demonstrates that Arta is rapidly evolving into a hub for education, research, and technological development with an international focus. At the same time, such initiatives substantially strengthen the University of Ioannina’s international networking, create new partnerships, and promote the region as a modern destination for knowledge, culture, and innovation.