Start Date: 01/03/2018
End Date: 29/02/2020
Web Site: belsproject.eu

Satellite navigation systems (GNSS) are more and more present in our daily life, from smartphones to autonomous vehicles. The European Union has deployed its own GNSS, the Galileo system. BELS+, a project funded by the European GNSS Agency, proposes a set of coordinated actions to foster collaboration between Europe and Southeast Asia in the field of satellite navigation (GNSS). Main focus is on SMEs willing to widen their market opportunities outside Europe.

Specifically, the project opened the Galileo Demo Centre in Vietnam which is its heritage after the end of the project. The Demo Centre is a showcase of the latest European GNSS technology. It is hosted within the Hanoi University of Science and Technology in the NAVIS Center, one of the most advanced and renowned GNSS research facilities in South East Asia, whose researchers are trained to present the European GNSS products to potential customers. The Galileo Demo Center provides European companies with the opportunity to demonstrate their GNSS products and solutions on Southeast Asian markets.

BELS+ proposes also activities to raise awareness on the European GNSS Galileo with workshops, events and seminars both in Southeast Asia and in Europe. Moreover, BELS+ contributes to raise interest in the field of GNSS among young graduates by fostering their entry into the GNSS working environment. This task is motivated by the fact that Europe requires more highly educated human resources in the field of GNSS. European companies and institutions are lacking navigation engineers and scientists. To facilitate this process on the operative level, BELS+ contributes to build further capacities with professional training sessions both in Europe and South East Asia. Furthermore, the BELS+ team participates in job fairs in top European universities to engage young graduates and professionals in the field of GNSS.