The European Commission is investing €5 million to launch Phortify, a Europe-wide photonics education and training network. Coordinated by Vrije Universiteit Brussel and involving 12 partners from 7 countries, the initiative aims to build a strong talent pipeline for Europe’s digital industries.
Phortify (Photonics education network for next-gen innovation and digital skills excellence for industry and society is a Digital Europe Programme action delivered by a consortium of 12 partners coordinated by Vrije Universiteit Brussel. The initiative harmonises learning outcomes and quality assurance, enables cross-border mobility, and awards certifications to accelerate Europe’s photonics talent pipeline.
Phortify creates a shared photonics curriculum across seven Master’s programmes, complemented by industry-co-designed self-standing modules for professionals. Students and researchers will gain access to Europe’s leading laboratories, digital resources and instructors. This new initiative will build a continent-wide talent pipeline for industry, giving companies access to graduates and professionals trained on real tools, workflows and challenges in photonics.
The University of Eastern Finland is the only Nordic parter in the Phortify project. Professor Jyrki Saarinen is looking forward to strengthening the European educational collaboration:
“UEF is working together with Europe’s leading photonics universities to build educational collaboration and networks, both for students and for companies. The European Commission has identified photonics as one of the key competencies for Europe’s digitalisation, and Finland plays a significant role in this field.”
Photonics – the science and engineering of light – enables technologies from high-speed communications and medical imaging to advanced manufacturing and AI. With a global market projected to reach €1.4 trillion by 2032, Phortify ensures Europe remains competitive by equipping the next generation with cutting-edge skills.
The programme places strong emphasis on diversity and inclusion, offering scholarships, mobility support and mentorship opportunities for underrepresented groups. A digital library, hybrid learning model with remote and XR-enabled labs and industry-supervised projects will make top-quality training accessible across borders.
How to participate
- Get started: Visit www.phortify.eu or contact us at [email protected]. Companies interested in collaborating –whether by offering internships, hosting guest lectures, or exploring other opportunities – are warmly invited to contact us directly.
For more information: www.phortify.eu | [email protected]
Co-funded by the European Commission under the Digital Europe Programme (No. 101226191).
Media contact: Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels Photonics, [email protected]
Web & social: phortify.eu – LinkedIn — Instagram
