Polyxeni Arapi

Polyxeni Arapi is a permanent Laboratory Teaching Staff member at the School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Technical University of Crete, where she serves as technical coordinator of the Software Systems Technology & Network Applications Laboratory (SoftNet). With over two decades of involvement in European research projects since 2002, her work bridges academic research and practical applications in educational technology, digital libraries, and vocational training systems.

Education:

• Ph.D. in Informatics, Institute of Mathematics and Informatics, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences (2017)
• M.Sc. in Electronic and Computer Engineering, Technical University of Crete (2011)
• Diploma in Electronic and Computer Engineering, Technical University of Crete (2003)

Dr. Arapi's research centers on Learning Support Systems, Digital Libraries, and Service-Centric Internet Architectures, with significant contributions to semantic interoperability and personalized learning experiences. Her work consistently addresses the integration of emerging technologies like AR/VR in vocational contexts, particularly robotics and Industry 4.0 training systems. She has pioneered frameworks for spatiotemporal visualization in crisis training and location-based mobile learning environments.

Analysis of her publication record (2013-2022) reveals a strategic evolution from foundational digital library interoperability to advanced vocational training applications. The trajectory shows increasing focus on Industry 4.0 technologies, with robotics education becoming a dominant theme in her most recent work, while maintaining core expertise in digital library integration and personalized learning systems.

Scientific Awards:

• Best Diploma Thesis in Electronic Engineering by Technical Chamber of Greece (2003)

Dr. Arapi has participated in 18 major European projects including FP5-UP-TV, FP6-DELOS II, FP7-Natural Europe, and multiple Erasmus+ initiatives. Her grant portfolio spans ICT-PSP, LdV, and ECHO programs, with recent focus on vocational training for Industry 4.0 (TI4 project) and digital coaching (E-Coach project). As technical coordinator of SoftNet laboratory, she oversees development of learning platforms like Coursevo and PlayLearn.

The SoftNet laboratory under her technical coordination develops software systems for network applications with emphasis on educational technology infrastructure. Her team specializes in creating interoperable solutions connecting digital libraries with e-learning platforms, and has pioneered applications in natural history museum data federation and crisis training visualization systems.