ASC Vice-president Shares Students’ Perspective on Aurora Educational Offers With Aurora Vice-rectors For Education

Through the Aurora Student Council (ASC), student representatives from Aurora universities are able to voice their vision of European higher education, its challenges, and the opportunities it offers them. In line with Aurora strategic priorities of inclusivity and student engagement, students therefore play a crucial role in helping to shape the educational offers in Aurora. Eliška Karasová, ASC Vice-president and student at Palacký University Olomouc (UP), writes about her experience during a meeting with Aurora Vice-rectors for Education.  

I had the privilege of attending a meeting of the Aurora Vice-rectors for Education, where I shared the perspective of the Aurora Student Council (ASC) as its representative. We focused on the structure of educational opportunities as well as the content of the courses offered within Aurora. We are grateful for the wide range of mobility opportunities offered and see flexibility in student life as part of an inclusive approach that enables everyone to participate in international and intercultural exchange. However, we also emphasised that, alongside flexibility, it is essential to provide strong support and a solid coordination framework for students, regardless of the type of mobility they choose.

Regarding the content of the courses offered, we expressed our interest in courses focused on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and its development and impact across different fields. Courses in European shared history also helps students understand historical events from a broader perspective. Furthermore, opportunities that train skills for future leaders and stakeholders, including general soft skills, will certainly benefit students in their future careers.

We are aware that there are already multiple programmes covering parts of these areas. However, we would like to support making these opportunities accessible to a wider student base. In other words, our goal is to make these opportunities available to all students across the alliance, for example, by sharing best practices or developing joint programmes such as Blended Intensive Programmes.

As a member of the ASC, I was particularly pleased with how our suggestions were received. It was a valuable meeting, and I am glad that we will continue to build on this cooperation to strengthen the connection between Vice-rectors for Education in Aurora universities and the Aurora Student Council.