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Author: Aniza Pourtauborde

European Universities Alliances And Leadership In Focus At The EUA Annual Conference

Written by Aniza Pourtauborde on . Posted in News.

On 17 April 2026, Aurora was represented at the European University Association (EUA) Annual Conference in Istanbul, where Rector Silja Bára R. Ómarsdóttir of the University of Iceland spoke in a plenary session on the future of international cooperation in higher education. The discussion brought together university leaders to reflect on how alliances contribute to long‑term collaboration and institutional transformation.


From left to right: Amanda Crowfoot (European University Association), Silja Bára R. Ómarsdóttir (University of Iceland), and Pedro Azeres (University of Minho)

Deepening International Cooperation Through Aurora

Rector Ómarsdóttir drew on the University of Iceland (UI)’s long-standing involvement in Aurora to show how the alliance has evolved over time. She highlighted the shift from Aurora’s beginnings as a high‑trust network in 2016 to its role as a European university alliance from 2020 onwards. This development has strengthened cooperation across partner universities and expanded opportunities for students and staff.

“The value created by Aurora is moving beyond traditional student and staff exchange programmes toward deep, high‑trust internationalisation of education and research,” said Rector Ómarsdóttir. “Through our participation in Aurora, we prioritise institutional transformation that embeds internationalisation into our core structures rather than treating it as an add‑on.”

She noted that Aurora has increased access to transdisciplinary courses, and supported staff development and research cooperation. For UI, this has translated into a multiplication of student interest and participation in short-term mobility, while providing staff with robust frameworks for pedagogical development and research collaboration. This approach positions Aurora as a space where universities can test new ideas, streamline processes, and work collectively towards a more connected European academic landscape.

Leadership and Institutional Alignment

A key theme of the session was the role of leadership in ensuring that alliance engagement is firmly embedded within universities. Rector Ómarsdóttir explained how her university integrates Aurora into its governance structures. As Rector, she sits on the Aurora Board and General Council, providing strategic direction along with other Aurora universities’ presidents and rectors. Furthermore, two Vice-rectors participate in the respective Vice-rector bodies for Education and Research, ensuring that alliance initiatives are directly integrated into UI’s core academic mission.

A primary goal for UI is also to embed the Aurora mission more deeply into the university’s new institutional strategy. The university’s participation in Aurora is a central pillar of its identity and internationalisation priorities.

She also addressed the challenges created by national regulatory and funding frameworks. In Iceland, universities involved in European alliances have joined forces to advocate for more supportive conditions for internationalisation. By collaborating on high-level discussions with the Ministry of Higher Education, they have successfully highlighted the friction between their international ambitions and the current financial model. This coordinated approach has contributed to constructive dialogue with national authorities.

Alliances as Platforms for Future‑Oriented Cooperation

The plenary explored whether alliances are becoming a central model for international cooperation or one tool among many. As a laboratory of change, Aurora’s experience shows how alliances can act as platforms for experimentation, balancing deep integration with wider global engagement.

“I see great advantages in European degrees and access to micro-credentials that students can bring back into their study programmes at home,” said Rector Ómarsdóttir. “We cannot offer all the specialisations that we know our students want to get access to. Short term exchanges and international courses open the doors to more diverse study programmes and expand our students’ horizons, and those of our staff as well!”

Rector Ómarsdóttir emphasised that sustaining this level of cooperation requires trust, shared purpose, and long‑term commitment — all essential for building resilient partnerships across Europe.

High Engagement In First Aurora Student Council Open Session

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The Aurora Student Council (ASC) introduced its first Open Session, an initiative by ASC President, Simona Gibalová. The objective of this initiative is to provide current Aurora Student Ambassadors an insider perspective on Aurora student representation, and the role and responsibilities for these students in Aurora universities. 

The first part of the online session began with a look into the Aurora Student Ambassador programme, then followed by a second part on a regular ASC work meeting. 

Engagement in Aurora through the Student Ambassador Programme

The Open Session kicked off with a warm welcome by Aurora Student Council (ASC) President Simona Gibalová. She outlined her vision of creating a space connecting alumni and potential future members of the Aurora student community.

“In the Aurora Student Council, we value continuity and cooperation, and we care deeply about the entire project,” said Simona. “Since this year’s theme is inclusivity, there was no better way to approach it than by opening our online doors to former and future members, connecting them, and introducing them to the world of student representation.”

Simona set the tone for the introduction to the Aurora Student Ambassador programme by Niels Hexspoor, Aurora Engagement and Impact Leader at Palacký University Olomouc (UP). He provided a thorough overview of this flagship initiative for the student community within Aurora, emphasising on the impressive year-on-year growth in membership, and engagement activities across Aurora universities.

To illustrate the success of the programme, three former members of the Aurora Student Council shared their diverse experiences of student representation in Aurora. All three started as Student Ambassadors, before taking on bigger responsibilities on the ASC Board in the later years in Aurora:

 

Mathilde Chaumont, former ASC President of 2024/2025, reflected on her year as President, as an active advocate for students’ rights at the European Students Union, and her team’s work on the Aurora Student Rights Charter.

 

 

Sören Dahn, former ASC Vice-president of 2024/2025, spoke of his representation at the European Student Assembly and in the seizmic social entrepreneurship and social innovation project in the Aurora 2030 programme.

 

 

Hanuš Patera, former ASC President of 2023/2024, offered insights into his presidency and deep involvement in the work for Aurora at his home university UP, as well as upon graduation at Copenhagen Business School (CBS).

 

 

Inside the Workings of the Aurora Student Council

In the second part of the online open session, the ASC held its regular meeting with its members. Among the key topics on the agenda included updates on the Aurora Student Conference in June, hosted by the Pavol Jozef Šafárik University in Košice, the trainings organised by the European Students Union (ESU), the ESU Conference of the Alliances in Malta, updates from the FOREU4ALL topical group Student-led Community. Part of the conversation also turned to the Aurora Student Rights Charter, and local events at each of the Aurora universities.

By being involved in the ASC meeting, Student Ambassadors were able to get a first-hand experience of what student representation looks like in Aurora, and the wider European student community. Participants also had the opportunity to learn more about student-led initiatives, work to be done, challenges addressed and achievements to celebrate.

Empowering Student Leadership for Democratic Engagement: Insights from the SLIDE Study Session in Strasbourg

Written by Aniza Pourtauborde on . Posted in News.

From 16 to 20 February 2026, the European Students’ Union (ESU) organised the study session “SLIDE, Student Leadership Initiatives for Democratic Engagement” at the European Youth Centre in Strasbourg, France. The initiative brought together student representatives from across Council of Europe member states, creating a dynamic space for collaboration, learning, and strategic reflection on the future of higher education in Europe. Insights and key learnings from this event by Alexandra Mihaela Valsan, Human Resources Officer and student representative of the Universitat Rovira i Virgili (URV) within the Aurora Student Council. 

Alexandra Mihaela Valsan, Aurora Student Council Human Resources Officer and student representative of Universität Rovira i Virgili

SLIDE Study Session, Unpacked

The SLIDE study session aimed to strengthen the capacity of student representatives and national unions to defend academic freedom, promote democratic participation, and safeguard student rights. Through an intensive five-day programme, participants engaged with key themes shaping the European Higher Education Area, combining theoretical input with practical skill-building in advocacy, leadership, and project management.

A central component of the session focused on reinforcing participants’ understanding of fundamental values such as academic freedom, institutional autonomy, and the right to education. These principles were explored not only from a conceptual perspective but also in relation to current political and social challenges affecting students across Europe. A masterclass delivered by an international human rights lawyer provided particularly valuable insight into the legal frameworks protecting these rights and the risks they currently face.

The Role of Youth in the European Higher Education Area

The programme also offered in-depth exploration of the Bologna Process and the broader European Higher Education Area, equipping participants with the tools to critically engage with ongoing reforms and to hold institutions accountable. Discussions extended to the origins and internal functioning of the European Students’ Union, as well as to the historical and contemporary role of student movements in driving change within higher education systems.

Throughout the session, particular attention was given to the role of youth in times of economic and political uncertainty. Participants reflected on how crises and global conflicts shape student engagement, potentially both limiting and motivating collective action. These discussions underscored the need for resilient, inclusive, and forward-looking student organisations.

Beyond the academic content, the experience was enriched by institutional visits to the European Parliament and the European Court of Human Rights. These visits provided a tangible connection between student advocacy and the broader European democratic framework, highlighting the importance of active citizenship and participation.

European Students Union SLIDE Study Session workshop on European values

Key Learnings for Aurora

As a representative of the Aurora Student Council, this experience provided a valuable opportunity to present the current state of student participation within the alliance. While recognising areas for improvement, it became evident that Aurora operates within a comparatively supportive environment, where student voices are heard and integrated into institutional processes. This position entails both responsibility and opportunity: to remain critical, ambitious, and committed to continuous improvement.

In line with this, a written contribution was developed and addressed to the Aurora Student Council, outlining concrete and achievable objectives aimed at strengthening its representativeness, efficiency, and overall impact.

Overall, participation in the SLIDE study session has proven to be both transformative and strategically relevant. It has reinforced the importance of equipping student representatives with the knowledge, skills, and networks necessary to actively shape the future of higher education in Europe. The experience in Strasbourg stands as a clear example of how international collaboration can empower student leadership and foster meaningful democratic engagement.

Aurora Students Develop Managerial Skills Through Innovative Tabletop Role‑Playing Games

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Hosted by the IAE Paris-Est at the Université Paris-Est Créteil (UPEC), a new Blended Intensive Programme (BIP) explored the use of tabletop role‑playing games as a tool for developing managerial and transversal skills in students. Supported by Aurora, this BIP reflects Aurora’s commitment to fostering innovative, inclusive, and challenge‑based learning across its member universities.


Table-top role-playing games and managerial skills BIP participants at the IAE Paris-Est, UPEC

Advancing Aurora’s Educational Mission Through Ludopedagogy

Coordinated by UPEC with Aurora universities University of Iceland and Palacký University Olomouc, and other partner universities the University of Skövde and Valparaiso University in the United States for the Scenario Creation Contest, the BIP was  developed within the EdUTeam project at UPEC. Using  a ludopedagogical approach, the programme combined  physical and digital games as learning tools. Tabletop role‑playing games served as a creative framework for students to co‑construct narrative scenarios while strengthening key transversal skills such as creativity, collaboration, and decision‑making,  central to Aurora’s pedagogical vision.

The programme brought together 35 students from 11 nationalities and 14 faculty members representing 8 countries across the Aurora network. Following an online preparatory phase, participants met in Créteil, France, for a week‑long immersive experience at the GamiXlab of IAE Paris‑Est. The initiative was coordinated by Associate Professors Patricia Noël and Philippe Lépinard, with strong support from International Offices  across the alliance.

Throughout the week, students engaged in lectures and workshops led by European scholars from Aurora universities, exploring diverse approaches to integrating games into management education. This cross‑institutional collaboration illustrates Aurora’s ambition to build a shared European learning space grounded in pedagogical innovation.

Tight collaboration between French and international colleagues and students from Aurora universities and beyond

Learning Management With Game-based Scenarios

Working in international teams, students designed scenarios for the role‑playing game Dungeon Crawl Classics, in partnership with the American publisher Goodman Games. Beyond the creative dimension, the activity encouraged participants to reflect on how game‑based scenarios can be embedded into university‑level management courses.

This approach supports the development of essential transversal skills and key competencies in communication, problem‑solving, and strategic thinking.

“It is not the role‑playing games themselves that develop managerial skills, but the pedagogical framework built around them,” explains Philippe Lépinard. The programme also strengthened professional connections within the alliance. As Philippe Lépinard notes, “The BIP allowed us to collaborate closely with international teams and to meet new colleagues, both French and international.”

Hands-on experience in table-top and role-playing games at the GamiXlab

The scenarios designed by the students will be evaluated by an international jury, with the winning project announced during the International Game Evolution conference on 13 May 2026. Students reported highly positive experiences, highlighting the value of intercultural collaboration and the opportunities created through Aurora mobility.

Governance, Strategy And Sustainability Focal Points At The Aurora Executive Committee Meeting In Paris

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In March 2026, Aurora’s vision of matching academic excellence with societal impact came together during the Aurora Executive Committee hosted by the Université Paris-Est Créteil (UPEC). Over two intensive days, members of the Aurora Central Office and Institutional Coordinators from all nine Aurora universities exchanged on governance, educational strategy and sustainability.


From left to right: Thomas Baumgartner, Joan Miquel Canals, Bruno Catalanotti, Jordi Serra Calvó, Anna Savostina, Alexander Lindemans, Chiara Cardigliano, Esmee Paques, Niels Hexspoor, Maria José Montaña Correa, Ivona Barešová, Petra Günther, Pasquale Sellitto, Anne-Karen Hüske, Dejan Lukovic, Fanney Karlsdottir, Svandís Halldórsdóttir, Julia Tackenberg, Tomasz Walicko, Selma Porobic, and Martin Schwell

Governance and Strategic Vision

 The starting point that kicked off the meeting focused on the current governance and long-term strategic vision for Aurora. From governing, managing, to executing operations, Institutional Coordinators (ICs) reflected on the Aurora organisational structure, and the roles and responsibilities of each layer within.

In three working groups, the ICs clarified the embeddedness of their universities in Aurora, the engagement of key leadership roles, and the process of decision-making across the alliance. They further discussed about the position and purpose of external boards.

The thought-provoking exchange on governance set the scene for the sessions that followed on the overall Aurora strategy and in particular, educational strategy. ICs reiterated the importance of institutional alignment in addition to existing alliance-level alignment when it comes to meeting research and education objectives together.

Aurora Central Office members, Institutional Coordinators, and university representatives reflected on key topics over two days of meetings, presentations and workshops

Charting the Way Forward

A broader discussion ensued, touching on the feedback from the Aurora 2030 progamme mid-term evaluation. Members of the Aurora Central Office and ICs highlighted major progress in the first half of the programme, and spoke about the developments yet to be achieved by the end of the funding period in November 2027.

The conversation then turned toward preparations for the future Erasmus+ call that can offer Aurora the possibility of a two-year extension of its programme under the framework of the European Universities Initiative. To better anticipate the writing of the proposal, the group agreed on the creation of a coordination committee where target stakeholders actively participate and have specific responsibilities pertaining to their expertise.

The Aurora Executive Committee meeting closed with a presentation of the Aurora Annual Conference 2026. The in-person conference is scheduled to take place from 18 to 20 May at the University of Duisburg-Essen (UDE) campuses, and gathers over 200 academics, staff, students, and external stakeholders from across Europe. A space to debate ideas, exchange perspectives, share best practices, and chart the way forward as one.

UPEC Hosts Aurora Workshop on LOUIS Educational Tool

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Université Paris-Est Créteil (UPEC) brought together 24 participants for a workshop dedicated to LOUIS (Learning Outcomes in University for Impact on Society), an educational tool developed within the framework of the Aurora European university alliance.


UPEC educators gather during in-person Aurora workshop to discover the LOUIS educational tool

LOUIS As An Assessment Tool For Transversal Skills

LOUIS (Learning Outcomes in University for Impact on Society) is one of the three components of the Aurora Competence Framework, alongside seizmic and BEVI. The framework supports Aurora’s educational vision of equipping graduates not only with subject expertise, but also with the skills and mindset needed to contribute positively to society. LOUIS helps teachers articulate and assess general academic and personal competences within subject-based courses, bridging the gap between broad competence frameworks and students’ actual learning progress in the classroom.

Organised by Christelle Garrouste, Associate Professor in Economics at UPEC, with the support of Martin Schwell, Vice-President for European Affairs and Aurora Institutional Coordinator at UPEC, the event provided teachers with the opportunity to discover this tool as a way to assess and develop students’ transversal skills in higher education.

This workshop served as an introduction to the tool, ahead of a Blended Intensive Programme (BIP) on LOUIS that will take place in Amsterdam from 1 to 5 June 2026. On this occasion, academic staff from the nine Aurora universities will have five days to test the application of the tool in their courses and be ready to implement it in the next academic year.

Left to right: Christelle Garrouste, Florian Freitag and Kees Kouwenaar present the LOUIS educational tool to educators at UPEC

Adapting LOUIS To Teaching Practices

The workshop was led by Florian Freitag, professor at the University of Duisburg-Essen, and Kees Kouwenaar, Senior Advisor at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam and developer of LOUIS. The session presented the principles and objectives of this educational tool, which enables a structured evaluation of the acquisition of essential transversal skills such as critical thinking, communication, teamwork and problem-solving.

Developed within Aurora, LOUIS is based on VALUE, a higher education learning assessment approach developed by the American Association of Colleges & Universities.

“In Aurora’s vision, LOUIS aims to help students develop the skills they will need in their future lives in order to contribute positively to society and to Europe,” explains Florian Freitag.

The workshop also provided an opportunity to discuss the practical use of the tool in different teaching contexts. Participants exchanged with the speakers about how LOUIS could be adapted to the specific needs of their courses and programmes.

Delphine Adam, a participant in the workshop and a lecturer at UPEC, highlighted: “It is a good basis for reflection that can be adapted to students and to different teaching contexts.”

The session concluded with group discussions and a final exchange with participants, allowing them to explore potential ways of integrating LOUIS into teaching practices at UPEC.

Aurora Communication and Dissemination Team Explores Brand Storytelling Through Merchandising Strategies

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From 3 to 5 March 2026, Palacký University Olomouc (UP) hosted the annual Aurora Trusted Local Communicators (TLC) Workshop, bringing together communication representatives from across Aurora universities. Over two days, participants explored how brand storytelling can be shaped through visual communication and merchandising strategies.


Aurora Communication and Dissemination team during the Aurora TLC Workshop 2026

The workshop was part of Aurora 2030 Work Package 10 on Impact and Dissemination, particularly Task 10.1 on Communication and Dissemination. It provided an understanding of the different ways that universities can adopt storytelling strategies that communicate vision, values and impact to their target audiences.

Institutional Strategy as a Foundation

The programme opened with a welcome by UP Vice-Rector for International Relations Ivona Barešová, who highlighted the importance of collaboration in shaping strong and lasting institutional narratives.

This was followed by a presentation from Matěj Dostálek, UP Vice-Rector for Communication and Social Responsibility. Emphasising on the maxim of being “regionally rooted, globally connected”, Dostálek revealed “UP to the Future”, a ten-year strategic framework leading the development of the university in the context of future challenges. Based on the values of responsability, sustainability and resilience, this framework aims to build the university of the future as a space of trust, an actor of public responsability, and a European institution in both its values and action.

Left to right: Ivona Barešová (UP Vice-Rector for International Relations), Selma Porobic (Aurora Institutional Coordinator at UP), Matěj Dostálek (UP Vice-Rector for Communication and Social Responsibility) and Vendula Lužná, Science Communicator

Storytelling in Practice

Communication being the driver of change, UP representatives demonstrated how storytelling is applied across communication activities:

Vendula Lužná, Science Communicator
“Science is not finished until it is communicated.” Lužná pointed to the university’s role in building trust by connecting scientific research with real-world issues through active scientist engagement. UP is able to connect topics of interest to real societal issues such as mental health, healthy aging, and digital technologies.

Ondřej Martínek, Head of Marketing and University Events
“We define and sell the values of the university.” Martínek outlined UP’s strategy of building a “love brand” and promoting Olomouc as a student-friendly city, supported by strong marketing tools such as social media, video, a mobile app, merchandising, and a student ambassador programme.

Michael Kozák, Marketing and Events Specialist
“University storytellers.” Through a series of beautiful photographs, Kozák presented the UP Student Ambassador programme, highlighting students’ key role in peer-to-peer communication and community building through events such as roadshows, education fairs, and festivals.

Vojtěch Kmenta, Photographer and Social Media Manager
“Stories connect, emotion drives engagement.” Building on five content pillars, Kmenta demonstrated how UP uses Instagram to create an emotional gateway to the university through visually driven storytelling.

Sustainable Merchandising as Storytelling

Sustainability is one of the core values at UP, reflected in its merchandising. Marie Hanušová, UPoint Shop Manager, presented the principles behind UP’s official merchandise store in Olomouc city:

  • A clear framework for evaluating sustainable materials and suppliers
  • Practical design and production strategies
  • Tools for communicating sustainability authentically.

Marie Hanušová, UPoint Shop Manager, presented the principles behind UP’s sustainable merchandising strategy

“Sustainable merchandise is not a cost. It’s a statement of values,” says Hanušová. “When done well, sustainable merchandise builds emotional connection, extends brand reach, and positions your institution as a leader – not a follower – in the values economy.”

Each product’s story adds value, builds trust, and invites customers to be active participants of something good beyond just being regular buyers. The session offered practical guidance for more impactful merchandising choices in future Aurora activities.

From Ideas to Practice

Participants then applied these insights in two interactive workshops focused on Aurora’s upcoming participation at the EAIE 2026 conference in Glasgow. Discussions explored:

  • Visual concepts for the Aurora exhibition booth
  • Ideas for sustainable and engaging merchandise.

Working in groups, participants first developed creative concepts without limitations and then refined them under specific constraints, encouraging both innovation and strategic thinking.

Brainstorming visual design and merchandising strategies for the Aurora booth at the EAIE 2026

The Aurora TLC Workshop 2026 on Brand Storytelling through Merchandising Strategies provided a clear and practical overview of how storytelling, design, and sustainability can work together to strengthen institutional communication and enhance the Aurora brand.

seizmic Awards 2025 Demonstrates The Power Of Responsible Entrepreneurship

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The seizmic Awards 2025 once again demonstrated the power of responsible entrepreneurship. This year’s submissions showed not only creativity and innovation, but also a deep understanding of how business models can address real world challenges.

The seizmic Awards jury carefully reviewed projects from diverse academic and geographic backgrounds. The overall quality was remarkable. The selected winners stood out for their clarity of purpose, feasibility, and measurable impact potential. Each submission reflects the growing commitment among students and young entrepreneurs to rethink business as a force for positive change.

Congratulations to all participating teams for their dedication to social entrepreneurship and innovation for good.

Discover the winning projects for seizmic Awards 2025 and access the full business models on the seizmic APP by following this step-by-step guide.

Winners of the seizmic Awards 2025

Winner: SavEat

See the business model

SavEat addresses one of the most urgent environmental and economic challenges of our time: food waste. A significant share of food produced globally is never consumed, leading to unnecessary emissions, wasted resources, and economic loss. SavEat proposes a solution that combines smart distribution systems with behavioral insight. By identifying surplus food and redirecting it efficiently, the project reduces waste while encouraging more conscious consumption patterns. What makes SavEat stand out is its balance between impact and scalability. The model demonstrates how environmental responsibility and commercial viability can reinforce each other rather than compete.

 

Runner Up: YUI

See the business model

YUI focuses on strengthening social inclusion through improved access to services and community resources. The project builds a platform that connects individuals, institutions, and opportunities in a more coordinated and accessible way. Many communities struggle with fragmentation and unequal access to support systems. YUI responds to this challenge by creating clearer pathways for participation and engagement. The jury particularly valued the project’s systemic perspective and its potential to generate long term social value while maintaining a sustainable revenue structure.

 

Runner Up: TerraPulse BioSolutions

See the business model

TerraPulse BioSolutions works at the intersection of biotechnology and sustainability. The project transforms biological waste streams into valuable inputs for agriculture and industry, contributing to more circular production systems. Environmental degradation and resource inefficiency remain central global concerns. TerraPulse BioSolutions addresses these challenges through scientific innovation combined with practical application. The strength of the model lies in its strong technical foundation and its clear pathway toward scalable environmental impact.

 

The seizmic awards continue to highlight how responsible innovation can shape the future of business. We look forward to seeing how this year’s winners further develop and implement their ideas.

Interested in participating in the next edition of the seizmic Awards? Stay tuned for upcoming calls for submissions.

The Social Business Model Panorama remains available to support you step by step in building your own impactful project.

For further information, please contact the seizmic team at: seizmic@cbs.dk

Inclusivity Is Key In The Aurora Student Council

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In June 2025, Aurora Student Council (ASC) members gathered at the Universität Innsbruck for their biannual Aurora Student Conference. During the conference, they voted in the new ASC Board for the academic year 2025/2026. ASC President Simona Gibalovà from Aurora Associate Partner Pavol Jozef Šafárik University in Košice, talks about her journey toward becoming president, and expresses the Council’s thematic vision for the year ahead. 


From left to right: Simona Gibalovà (ASC President 2025/2026), Mathilde Chaumont (ASC President 2024/2025, and Veronika Sexl (Rector of Universität Innsbruck and Aurora President) 

My Path to Becoming the Aurora Student Council President

The first time I considered running for president was during the European Students Union (ESU) meeting in Timisoara, Romania in November 2024 after a conversation with the former Aurora Student Council (ASC) President, Mathilde Chaumont. At the time, I was about a year into my student representation in Aurora and finally felt comfortable understanding the inner structures of the alliance as well as the wider concept of European Universities Alliances. This meeting was very evocative and thought-provoking, and sparked the first idea of working towards the Aurora Student Rights Charter and more concrete goals and aspirations for the future of the ASC.

The work on this Charter really exposed me to some fundamental questions, such as what Aurora values are and what they mean to students, and also how important it is to have clear goals and aspirations formulated for the future of Aurora and next student councils to come. Inspired by this momentum and a very progressive moment within the Council, I was determined to keep this idea going for the next Student Council in the role of a president.

Inclusivity as the ASC Theme of the Year

The uniqueness of this presidency comes from two major distinctions in comparison to past Student Councils: the fact that I come from an associate partner university Pavol Jozef Šafárik University in Košice, and also the fact that we have an all-female Aurora Student Council board for the first time. Since both of these moments originated very naturally but represent a striking moment of progress and inclusivity, we only thought it logical to frame our focus on this phenomenon. I have to give credits where credits are due, for the phrasing of the theme of the year, “Inclusivity is the key”, this is the doing of our ASC Vice-president, Eliška Karasová. She is amazing with bringing ideas into concrete wording.

I was advised at first by some people to not bring much attention to the fact that I come from an associate partner university, however I decided to go against it. I believe the advice was made in good faith, to protect me from possible doubts that people may have about students like me, and to make sure my voice is heard as strongly as the full-member university representatives, which unfortunately both proved to be an issue in the early stages of my presidency.

I do feel a significant importance in the fact the the Student Council chooses to blur the line between what student comes from which university, because in the end, our goal as the Student Council, and I believe the goal of Aurora as well, is to ensure a better future for students across as many parts of Europe and the world as possible. As students, we believe there are many creative ways to make an impact regardless of what university or what project receives a certain cut of funding or not, and it is particularly interesting to take a look of how creative the associate partner universities have been in these past years in their collaboration with Aurora despite certain obstacles.

I feel very inspired by painting a spotlight to this unique side of Aurora collaboration and we do believe that this creativity is something to nourish and celebrate despite what your sending institution is, which is what this academic year and its theme has been about for us.

Simona Gibalovà
Aurora Student Council President (2025/2026)

Third Aurora Call Expands to Include Mixed Incentive Research and Education Projects

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Following the success of the 2024 and 2025 calls, with over 90 submitted proposals, and after the final Aurora Board decision on 18 February 2026, Aurora launches a new Call for Exploratory Research and Education Projects, Thematic Schools, Research Seminars, and Secondments of Early-stage Researchers.

Two Key Actions with An Added Angle on Education

This new call aims to address the intersection between research and education. It incentivises the formation of original collaborative research actions and research-driven educational actions in Aurora’s six thematic hubs of transdisciplinary research and education: Sustainability and Climate Change, Digital Society and Global Citizenship, Health and Wellbeing, Culture: Identities and Diversities, Social Entrepreneurship and Innovation, and Peace Education.

“As Aurora has taught us so far, learning is key in all innovative research,” says Barbara Buchenau, Professor of North American Studies at the University of Duisburg-Essen, and Lead of Aurora transdisciplinary hubs. “It allows us to explore the boundaries between what is known and what is uncertain or contested. This call therefore explicitly recognizes the importance of learning activities for successful transdisciplinary research. It invites small European teams to further develop their visions for transdisciplinary research and education, thereby strengthening research-driven education and cutting-edge research in and among Aurora universities.”

This added angle on education is reflected in two of the call’s three Key Actions:

Key Action 1 – Exploratory and collaborative research projects, or projects that are built at the interface between research and education.

KA1 adds the possibility of submitting projects that mix teaching and research. Whenever selected projects fall within the domain of one of the six Aurora Hubs above, they should contribute to, and strengthen the Hub’s life. Therefore, projects that include both research and education perspectives can propose design measures for the creation of future blended intensive programmes, micro-credentials, or joint programmes. Still, research only projects, also outside the Hubs, are also welcome.

Matthias Beekmann, Aurora Research Council President and researcher at Université Paris-Est Créteil (UPEC) states: “We expect that more than 10 of such incentive projects will be funded, strengthening the Aurora research and education community, and creating opportunities for Aurora researchers and teachers to participate in future European calls.”

Key Action 2 – Thematic Schools and Intensive Research Seminars

In addition to the thematic schools already present in previous calls, KA2 now also includes multi-day intensive research and teaching seminars. These seminars must feature contributions of researchers from Aurora universities, and should include hands-on, theory-driven field work or community engagement as well as student research.

Increased Available Budget to Support Excellent Projects

The available budget for the above two key actions has nearly increased by a half for this 2026 call to reach 240,000 Euros, a considerable increase from past years. A large part of this budget comes from additional contribution by Aurora member universities in addition to the budget provided under Aurora 2030 Task 5.2 on Academic Collaboration and Community Building.

This steadfast engagement allows for the possibility to support a larger number of excellent projects. It demonstrates a strong commitment in Aurora to provide and foster a solid environment for research, education and innovation within its community.

Submission of Proposals

This call is officially launched on 20 February 2026, with a deadline for proposals to be submitted on 17 April 2026, 12:00 CEST. For further information, go to Call for Incentive Research and Education Collaboration.