News

SIMOnS project Newsletter #4 – Pilot Results of the SIMOnS Mobile Application

Posted on by mstamati in Uncategorized

We are pleased to announce the release of the SIMOnS Newsletter #5, focusing on the pilot implementation and evaluation of the SIMOnS mobile application.

The pilot involved students from partner universities across Europe and aimed to assess the effectiveness of the application in enhancing digital competences based on the DigComp framework.

The results demonstrate significant improvements across all competence areas, confirming the educational value of the SIMOnS platform.

Key highlights include:
• 419 students participated in the pilot
• 76.1% completion rate
• 83% of students reported learning new digital concepts

The SIMOnS app combines micro-learning, interactive quizzes, and gamification elements to provide an engaging and effective learning experience.

👉 Read the full newsletter here

P.A.C.E. Project Kick-Off Meeting Held in Paris

Posted on by Lito Mixanetzi in News

The P.A.C.E. project officially kicked off on February 5 & 6 in Paris, France, bringing together project partners from across Europe for the first transnational meeting of the consortium. The event marked the beginning of a promising collaboration focused on achieving the project’s shared goals and establishing a strong foundation for the work ahead.

During the two-day meeting, partners introduced their organizations, shared their expertise, and discussed their roles within the project. The University of Patras (UPatras) was represented by members of our lab, who presented the university and highlighted its research experience, ongoing initiatives, and expected contributions to the P.A.C.E. project.

The meeting provided an excellent opportunity for partners to review the project’s objectives, explore the structure of the work packages, and plan the upcoming activities. Through productive discussions and collaborative sessions, the consortium clarified responsibilities, timelines, and coordination mechanisms that will guide the implementation of the project.

Beyond the formal agenda, the kickoff meeting also strengthened the partnership among the participating organizations. The atmosphere was highly collaborative, with all partners expressing great enthusiasm about the launch of the P.A.C.E. project and the opportunities it offers for innovation and impact.

With the project now underway, the consortium looks forward to the next phases of collaboration, the development of new tools and resources, and the meaningful results that will emerge from this international partnership.

SIMOnS Multiplier Event at the University of Patras 🎇

Posted on by mstamati in Uncategorized

The Multiplier Event of the Erasmus+ project SIMOnS was successfully held on 22 January 2026 at the Department of Computer Engineering and Informatics (CEID), University of Patras, with the participation of more than 100 stakeholders.

The event presented the project’s outcomes, including the SIMOnS mobile application, and fostered discussion on innovative approaches to strengthening students’ digital competencies through presentations and interactive workshops.

🔗 https://www.simonsproject.eu/

SIMOnS Multiplier Event at the University of Patras (CEID)

Posted on by mstamati in Uncategorized

On 22 January 2026, the Department of Computer Engineering and Informatics (CEID) of the University of Patras will host a Multiplier Event of the Erasmus+ project SIMOnS: Students Improvement and Monitoring of Online Skills.

The event will present the project’s outcomes, including the SIMOnS mobile application, and promote dialogue on strengthening students’ digital competencies through innovative assessment tools, self-assessment practices, and interactive workshops.

Learn more about the SIMOnS project:

🔗 https://www.simonsproject.eu/

…BE THERE…

GUESS Project – Multiplier Event Successfully Held in Patras

Posted on by mstamati in Uncategorized

The European project GUESS – Gamified User-centered Environmental Sustainability, funded by the Erasmus+ Programme, successfully organized its Multiplier Event on 14 November 2025 at the Department of Computer Engineering and Informatics (CEID), University of Patras.

The event gathered professionals, researchers, educators, and stakeholders with an interest in innovative approaches to environmental sustainability. Its aim was to present the project’s final results and demonstrate how gamification can be used to support environmental awareness and responsible practices.

Key Highlights

During the event, participants had the chance to:

  • Experience the GUESS gamified learning tools and digital environment.
  • Gain insights into the project’s user-centered methodology.
  • Discuss the role of interactive and game-based elements in enhancing engagement with sustainability topics.
  • Explore possibilities for implementing or adapting the GUESS tools in various contexts.

The program included presentations, demonstrations, and open discussion sessions, offering an engaging environment for collaboration and knowledge exchange.

Acknowledgements

The GUESS consortium extends its warmest thanks to all participants for their valuable presence, contributions, and interest in the project.
Below are photo highlights from the event.

Multiplier Event GUESS UPatras

Posted on by Dimos Minas in News

🔸Erasmus+ Event and Presentation of the GUESS Project 🔸

The University of Patras (Software Quality and Human-Computer Interaction Laboratory) invites you to the Multiplier Event of the GUESS project: User-Centered Gamification for Environmental Sustainability for University Students (GUESS) – 2023-1-EL01-KA220-HED-000161272 which will take place on Friday, November 14, 2025, at 11:00 a.m., at the Department of Computer Engineering and Informatics (University Campus, 25 Martiou, Rio 26500).

We would be delighted to have you join us and learn about our activities.

🔸Διημερίδα Erasmus+ και Παρουσίαση του έργου GUESS project 🔸

Το Πανεπιστήμιο Πατρών (Εργαστήριο Ποιότητας Λογισμικού και Αλληλεπίδρασης Ανθρώπου-Υπολογιστή), σας προσκαλεί στην Πολλαπλασιαστική Δράση του έργου GUESS: Παιχνιδοποίηση με Κέντρο τον Χρήστη για την Περιβαλλοντική Βιωσιμότητα για Φοιτητές Πανεπιστημίου (GUESS) – 2023-1-EL01-KA220-HED-000161272 η οποία και θα λάβει χώρα την Παρασκευή, 14 Νοεμβρίου 2025 και ώρα 11:00 πμ, στο Τμήμα  Μηχανικών Ηλεκτρονικών Υπολογιστών και Πληροφορικής (Πανεπιστημιούπολη, 25ης Μαρτίου, Ρίο 26500).

Θα χαρούμε πολύ να βρεθείτε κοντά μας και να ενημερωθείτε για τις δράσεις μας.

Programme of Multiplier Event/ Πρόγραμμα Πολλαπλασιαστικής Δράσης

TimeObject of the unitName of the presenter
11:00Registration 
11:00 – 11:20Welcoming 
11:30 – 12:00Presentation about GUESS projectMichalis Xenos
12:00 – 12:30Presentation about development process of GUESSDimosthenis Minas
12:30 – 13:00Piloting of GUESS projectMarianna Stamati
13:00 – 13:30Benefits of virtual worldsFotopoulos Angelos
13:30 – 14:00Break 
14:00 – 17:30Workshop 
17:30 – 18:00Closing of the Multiplier Event 
ΏραΑντικείμενο ενότηταςΥπεύθυνος ενότητας
11:00Έγγραφη 
11:00 – 11:20Welcoming 
11:30 – 12:00Παρουσίαση του GUESS projectΜιχάλης Ξένος
12:00 – 12:30Παρουσίαση της ανάπτυξης του εικονικού κόσμουΔημοσθένης Μηνάς
12:30 – 13:00Παρουσίαση της πιλοτικής εφαρμογής του GUESSΜαριάννα Σταμάτη
13:00 – 13:30Οφέλη των εικονικών κόσμωνΦωτόπουλος Άγγελος
13:30 – 14:00Διάλλειμα 
14:00 – 17:30Workshop 
17:30 – 18:00Κλείσιμο του event 

#multiplier_event #erasmus+ #key_action_2 #GUESS_project #upatras #sqlab_upatras

PRAISE Project Officially Launched in Nicosia, Cyprus

Posted on by Lito Mixanetzi in News

The PRAISE project officially kicked off on October 27th in Nicosia, Cyprus, bringing together project partners from across Europe to begin an exciting collaborative journey. The meeting marked the start of a shared effort to advance the project’s goals, establish strong cooperation among partners, and set the foundation for the work ahead.

During the kickoff meeting, representatives from all partner organizations had the opportunity to present their institutions, expertise, and planned contributions to the project. The University of Patras (UPatras) was represented by members of our lab, who delivered a presentation introducing the university, its research activities, and its role within the PRAISE project.

The meeting also served as an important platform for discussing the project’s work packages, timelines, and collaboration strategies. Through productive discussions and interactive sessions, partners aligned on the next steps and clarified the responsibilities that will guide the project’s implementation.

All partners expressed great enthusiasm about launching PRAISE and working together over the coming months and years. The kickoff meeting fostered a strong sense of collaboration and shared vision, with everyone excited about the opportunities and impact that the project aims to achieve.

With the project now officially underway, the PRAISE consortium looks forward to the upcoming activities, joint research efforts, and innovative outcomes that will emerge from this international partnership.

Participation of SQLab at the 11th IEEE International Smart Cities Conference (ISC2 2025)

Posted on by Dimos Minas in News

The SQLab research group from the University of Patras participated in the 11th IEEE International Smart Cities Conference (ISC2 2025) themed “Resilient & Sustainable Smart Communities”, held on October 6–9, 2025, at the Conference and Cultural Center of the University of Patras, Greece.

During the conference, our team presented the paper:
“Immersive Smart Education for Sustainable Urban Mobility: A VR-Based Study on Traffic Systems, EVs, and Sensor-Enabled Crosswalks.”

Our research focuses on leveraging Virtual Reality (VR) technologies to enhance education and awareness around sustainable urban mobility, electromobility, and smart infrastructure.

Participating in ISC2 2025 provided a great opportunity to exchange ideas, explore innovative approaches, and connect with researchers from around the world.

📸 Browse some moments from the conference below.

🎓 MSc in Human–Computer Interaction at the ECE Graduation Ceremony | July 31, 2025

Posted on by Dimos Minas in News

On July 31, 2025, the team of the MSc in Human–Computer Interaction had the pleasure of attending the graduation ceremony of the Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering at the University of Patras.

We were there to congratulate the new graduates and introduce them to our postgraduate program — a unique opportunity for those interested in UX design, interaction technologies, and user-centered systems.

💡 The MSc in HCI is an interdisciplinary, tuition-free, English-taught program that combines technology, design, and human behavior. It is ideal for graduates who want to explore how humans interact with digital systems and create better user experiences.

🎥 Watch highlights from the event in the video below!
📍 Learn more about the program: https://hcimaster.upatras.gr

We wish all graduates the very best in their next steps — and we hope to welcome some of them to our HCI community soon!

🎓 MSc in Human–Computer Interaction Graduation Ceremony | July 22, 2025

Posted on by Dimos Minas in News

On Tuesday, July 22, 2025, we proudly celebrated the graduation ceremony of the MSc in Human–Computer Interaction at the University of Patras.

Our graduates successfully completed a demanding and innovative program, focusing on human-computer interaction, user experience design, intelligent systems interaction, and cutting-edge technologies.

The ceremony was filled with smiles, pride, and optimism for the future.
Congratulations to all our graduates! We wish them every success in their professional and academic journey.

📸 Browse the photo highlights from this special day below.
🌐 Learn more about the program: https://hcimaster.upatras.gr