Author: Anna Klas

The Aurora Virtual Autumn Summit brought together academic minds to reflect on the achievements of the Aurora Research and Innovation (R&I) Programme and to chart its course toward the future. The plenary session, “The Legacy of Aurora R&I Programme: Reflecting on the Past, Empowering the Present, Shaping the Future,” offered an insightful exploration of collaborative research efforts within Aurora universities. This inspiring event highlighted critical themes like open science, shared resources, and strategies for fostering future research collaborations.

A Roadmap for Innovation

Svandís Halldórsdóttir, Head of the Grants Office at the University of Iceland, emphasized the Aurora R&I roadmap’s cornerstone achievements. “This roadmap is built on six core building blocks,” Halldórsdóttir shared, detailing components such as joint online platforms, capacity-building plans, and the creation of open science training modules. She stressed the importance of institutional trust and collaboration, underscoring that Aurora universities have the collective will to innovate together even without substantial funding.

Svandís Halldórsdóttir acknowledged the challenges faced, such as navigating local legislation and addressing structural differences among universities. The feasibility study conducted during the project identified actionable strategies to enhance collaboration. She stated, “The main conclusion was to focus on uniting researchers around funding opportunities and encouraging research support staff to exchange best practices.”

Open Science and the Future

Sander Bosch, Chief Open Science Officer at VU Amsterdam, provided a compelling overview of the progress in open science practices under the Aurora R&I Programme. Bosch cited the UNESCO Open Science framework as foundational, broadening the scope of open science to include not only open access to knowledge but also increased collaboration and inclusivity. “Open science is a value-driven framework that aligns perfectly with Aurora’s mission,” he remarked.

Bosch showcased innovations like the Aurora Open Science Monitor and training programs that aim to make open science practices accessible for early-career researchers. He highlighted the importance of sustainable tools and increased community involvement in firmly establishing these practices within Aurora’s institutions.

Building Research Communities

Professor Guðmundur Hálfdánarson of the University of Iceland emphasized the critical role of fostering academic collaboration. Reflecting on Aurora’s journey, he highlighted the need to move beyond administrative coordination to actively engaging academics in shared research endeavors. “We must involve the academic community and make Aurora a part of their daily lives,” Hálfdánarson asserted, pointing to new initiatives like summer schools and collaborative research projects as steps in the right direction.

The roundtable discussions reinforced these sentiments, with participants agreeing that fostering trust and creating real-life opportunities for collaboration are key to building a robust Aurora research community.

A Shared Vision for 2030

The summit closed with a look toward Aurora 2030, the ambitious next phase. A focus on sustaining and expanding the tools, networks, and practices established under the R&I Programme was at the forefront. As one participant aptly summarized, “The most important outcome of this project is the trust we’ve built. That trust is the leverage we need to share more than strengths—it’s the foundation for shared resources and a unified vision.”

The Aurora Virtual Autumn Summit demonstrated that Aurora is more than a collaboration; it is a community united by a shared commitment to advancing research and education for societal benefit. Watch a recap of the summit on YouTube.

Aurora, a network of like-minded research-intensive universities, continues its mission to promote collaboration and dialogue among students across the continent. With a deep commitment to advancing higher education, Aurora empowers students to engage in projects that drive social impact and equip them with the skills needed to address global challenges, emphasising sustainability, innovation, and cross-cultural understanding. 

As part of its efforts to strengthen student involvement, the Aurora Student Council (ASC) has introduced a fresh group of student leaders who will guide the Council’s activities for the upcoming year of 2025. The new members will bring renewed energy and vision to the Council’s work by focusing on creating inclusive and diverse student-led initiatives that align with Aurora’s core values.

Mathilde Chaumont: The New Face of  Student Leadership 

Mathilde Chaumont takes on the prestigious role of President of the Aurora Student Council, embodying the spirit of collaboration and inclusivity that Aurora seeks to promote. With her clear vision and dedication, Mathilde aims to cultivate a sense of unity among students while driving forward important initiatives. In her candidacy, she said: “It would be an honour to represent the ASC and ensure our students’ voices are heard.” 

Sören Daehn: Supporting Innovation as Vice President 

As Vice President, Sören Daehn will work closely with Mathilde to implement the Council’s initiatives and provide strategic direction. His role will be critical in ensuring the council’s smooth operation. He states, “My vision for the vice presidency is, together with the president, to ensure that the ASC and students’ interests are represented, heard and considered on a strategic Aurora-wide level.” 

Andréa Gaucher: Ensuring Transparency as Secretary 

As Secretary, Andréa Gaucher will oversee the Council’s organizational activities, ensuring transparency and effective communication between the student body and university leadership. Her contributions will be key to maintaining transparency within the council and managing student feedback efficiently. 

Paula Mora: Amplifying the Student Voice as Communications Officer 

Paula Mora, as the Communications Officer, will be responsible for amplifying the work of the Aurora Student Council across various platforms, ensuring students remain informed and engaged. Her role will  also be crucial in connecting students with opportunities and encouraging them to participate in Aurora’s diverse range of activities. Therefore, the Aurora Student Council remains committed to representing students’ diverse interests across the Aurora network, creating an inclusive environment where students can thrive academically and personally.

With this new leadership in place, the council is well-positioned to continue fostering unity. Follow the Aurora Student Council’s Instagram to track their latest initiatives and get involved in shaping the future of higher education! 

In the vibrant city of Toulouse, France, the 2024 EAIE (European Association of International Education) conference for higher education professionals spotlighted Aurora universities. From September 17 to 20, over 7,300 global participants gathered to enhance transnational educational cooperation.

The Aurora community contributed to three sessions, each addressing key themes in shaping higher education’s future: fostering mutual benefits through African partnerships, exploring global opportunities, and championing sustainability literacy across university alliances. This event reaffirmed Aurora’s commitment to innovation and collaboration in the global education landscape. The sessions included:

Partnerships with Africa: How to Unlock Mutual Benefits at the Internationalisation of European Universities Alliances: the new frontiers side event.

Hosted by the Université de Toulouse and la Région Occitanie, the Internationalisation of European Universities Alliances side event examined the reasons and methods by which European Universities alliances establish strategic partnerships with universities and stakeholders within and outside the European Union. Across the sessions, European universities’ alliances discussed their internationalisation strategies and approaches and presented case studies on how alliances can forge successful international connections.

The “Partnerships with Africa: How to Unlock Mutual Benefits” panel session, held on Tuesday, September 17, 2024, from 11:40 to 12:45, included Laurent Thevenet, the Vice-Rector for Internationalisation at Université Paris-Est Cretéil. Laurent Thevenet highlighted the need for structured exchange programs to enrich educational opportunities as African students often study in Europe individually. Equally vital is enhancing European students’ experiences in Africa, using initiatives like the real-life learning lab as a practical framework. Increasing intra-African mobility, currently limited, is crucial. Laurent stated, “We must work collaboratively to establish exchange programs and enhance cross-mobility both to and within Africa.”

The session, recorded for later viewing, further addressed challenges in forming partnerships between European and African universities, advocating for diversity and inclusion by engaging a geographically diverse set of African partners and embracing linguistic diversity. Building equitable partnerships requires moving beyond university rankings, focusing on existing collaborations, and supporting African initiatives through funding and research opportunities. Supporting African early career researchers through these partnerships is vital, enabling them to gain valuable experience and contribute positively to their home countries upon returning.

Unlocking Global Opportunities: Outreach Programmes at European University Alliances

On Wednesday, September 18, 2024, from 13:30 to 14:30, the session Unlocking Global Opportunities: Outreach Programmes at European University Alliances delved into the global dimension of European University Alliances. This session was organized by the chairs of ‘Non-EU partnerships’ ForEU2 working group and featured Selma Porobic, Aurora institutional coordinator at Palacký University Olomouc (UPOL), as well as speakers from EUNICE and UNITA.

Selma Porobic presented the results of a survey of 18 alliances on their geopolitical strategy for non-EU collaborations and inclusivity programmes for migrants and refugees. She highlighted the different approaches to non-EU partnerships as an important ambition of all the surveyed Alliances, with one-third of Alliances already pursuing non-EU partnerships. Selma shared noticeable trends in approaches:  “The interest is mostly expressed towards US and Canada, and then Ukraine, and the Western Balkans countries. One major obstacle is, of course, ineligibility of EUIs funding for the associate partners and existing disconnection between the available EU funds to support these pioneering efforts.”

Selma also presented the existing support programmes for integration of migrants and refugees across the Alliances which demonstrated the key focus of these being on the efforts to integrate Ukrainian refugees. These were mostly supported by institutional funding, with only universities in Poland receiving targeted government support.

How European University Alliances are Spearheading Sustainability Literacy for All

Held on Friday, September 20, from 10:30 to 11:30, featuring Christina Raab, Jo Angouri from the University of Warwick (EUTOPIA), and Alexsi Vauhkonen from the University of Helsinki (Una Europa). They explored how European University Alliances tackle similar challenges in developing “Global Challenges” into innovative, scalable, and sustainable formats for students, researchers, and administration. This effort is crucial for a thriving European Higher Education and Research Area. Echoing Einstein’s wisdom, “We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them,” the session highlighted how these initiatives are successfully creating innovations in learning, teaching, and research, equipping students with essential skills and mindsets.

As the EAIE conference concluded, Aurora universities’ contributions left a lasting impact on the global higher education community. The discussions emphasized the transformative potential of educational landscapes, promoting mutual benefits and cross-border collaborations. The insights from this conference continue to inspire efforts towards an inclusive, sustainable, and interconnected academic future.

In a recent development within the European research and innovation landscape, the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) program has been widely recognised for its crucial role in nurturing talent and driving innovative research. However, its absence from key European Union policy documents, notably Mario Draghi’s report and mission letters for several prominent EU leadership roles, has sparked concern among research and innovation organisations.

Aurora is deeply concerned by this oversight as an active supporter of scientific progress and a dedicated advocate for research talent development. The MSCA program is integral to strengthening Europe’s research capabilities and fostering global collaborations, which are essential for driving economic growth and maintaining Europe’s competitive edge in the global market.

This omission is particularly troubling given MSCA’s alignment with strategic objectives to support the next generation of researchers and foster cross-sector collaboration. Failure to include MSCA risks diminishing the programme’s legacy and potential for future contributions to Europe’s research and innovation landscape.

Aurora encourages all its stakeholders to advocate for the recognition and increased funding that MSCA rightfully deserves. A renewed and strengthened commitment to this program would not only allow the European Union to reaffirm its dedication to research excellence, innovation, and economic growth but also to empower researchers and stimulate even more significant scientific breakthroughs.

For further details and to support this cause, we encourage you to read the joint statement here.

How is higher education shaping the future of Europe and charting new pathways for global collaboration? The European Association of International Education’s Conference in Toulouse, France (17-20 September 2024) will provide a unique opportunity to explore answers to this question and many more with real-life examples, testimonials, and facts.

This is the first time that the European Universities Alliances, a flagship initiative of the European Commission and its European Education Area since 2019, will come together and present themselves in a united way at a major international conference. This will allow the international HE community to better understand the dimension of the European Universities Initiative, which is co-funding 64 Alliances today.

By showcasing their collaborative efforts and dynamizing a series of joint activities, European Universities Alliances will take the stand as pioneers of a new paradigm of cooperation in Higher Education, paving their way to a leading role in shaping the global landscape of academia and research. They will also provide insight into their contributions as key actors in a transformative approach aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), viewing Higher Education as the catalyst for building a more resilient, sustainable, and equitable society.

Inspired by the EAIE Conference’s theme En Route!, the Alliances will disseminate their objectives and actions, share the impact created, and communicate information regarding their results on topics such as mobility or new joint programs. They will also present the steps toward the innovative and unprecedented European Degree, a new type of degree awarded jointly by a group of European universities and automatically recognized in the EU. All these efforts will underline an inspiring model for transnational collaboration even amidst challenging times of global conflict.

The Alliances are also offering, as part of the EAIE conference’s programme of activities, a series of sessions covering a wide range of subjects, demonstrating their commitment to innovation in higher education and research.

On behalf of Aurora Christina Raab from the University of Innsbruck and co-lead in T2.5 on Coordination of joint education and joint accreditation, will contribute to the session on How European Universities alliances are spearheading sustainability literacy for all. Similarly, Selma Porobic from Palacký University Olomouc and lead of the T7.3 on Implementation of Capacity Development Programme in CEE will contribute to the session Unlocking global opportunities: Outreach programmes at European University Alliances at EAIE 2024 in Toulouse.

Check the list of sessions proposed by the European Alliances.

Highlight on the Globalization Potential of Alliances

Prior to the initiation of the EAIE Conference, there will be an opportunity to witness the Alliances in joint dialogue at a special side event hosted by the Université de Toulouse and la Région Occitanie on September 17, 2024, at the Hôtel de Région Occitanie from 08:45 to 13:00. Titled “Internationalisation of European Universities Alliances: the new frontiers”, the event will explore why and how European Universities Alliances build strategic partnerships with institutions and stakeholders beyond the European Union. A plenary session will discuss strategies and approaches and present case studies about how alliances can forge successful international connections. Two other sessions will examine partnerships with Ukrainian institutions amidst conflict and post-war reconstruction and cooperation with African partners. This gathering aims to facilitate dialogue between Alliances, non-European higher education institutions, and European, national, and regional policymakers to explore the current state of play and the possible pathways of alliances’ internationalisation. The event will be streamed online.

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The European Universities Alliances are a flagship initiative of the European strategy for universities. They encompass 64 European Universities and alliances with more than 560 higher education institutions across Europe. Check the full list of Alliances by country.

The EAIE Conference is the most important event dedicated to higher education in Europe and the second largest in the world. Its recent venues have been Barcelona (2022) and Rotterdam (2023), where exhibitors and visitors exceeded 5000 participants each year, showing that transnational cooperation is now a growing sector of influence and action in a more and more globalized and interconnected world of higher education systems.

On May 28, during the Spring Biannual hosted in Naples, Italy, the project management team of the Aurora 2030 project came together during a workshop to carve out pathways for better collaboration and synergy within work packages (WPs). The workshop was attended by work package leads and co-leads, all focused on identifying how their collective efforts could be more effectively aligned.  

Workshop Objectives

The workshop aimed to create a more cohesive and robust management framework for better outcomes. It is part of a series of activities that will take place over the next three years. Organized by the management team (WP1), it sought to maintain strong connections between WP leads by fostering a collaborative environment, encouraging mutual support among WPs, and reducing redundancy and double reporting. 

“Our goal is to foster a collaborative environment where leaders can identify synergies and opportunities. By working together and maintaining open lines of communication, we can address challenges proactively and strengthen each other’s efforts,” said Maria José Montaña Correa, Project Manager for Aurora 2030. 

Primarily, the workshop focused on identifying new synergies and possibilities to secure the sustainability of the Aurora 2030 activities. 

Key Areas of Synergy 

Several critical areas for increasing synergies were identified during the workshop: 

• Aligned Efforts: The need to align efforts across various WPs was emphasized to ensure that resources, initiatives, and reporting are not duplicated. This alignment is essential for maximizing the impact of the project’s activities. 

• Funding and Educational Opportunities: Exploring possibilities for funding new educational offers was a priority. This includes discovering innovative ways to support existing and future educational initiatives. 

• Student Needs and Interests: Students expressed their desire for innovative inter- and transdisciplinary courses. The discussion also focused on alternative ways of mobility, while some of the leads proposed innovative approaches to financing new opportunities.

Reporting and Continuous Improvement 

To maintain transparency and keep everyone informed, ongoing communication and regular reporting are crucial. These types of workshops are the ideal opportunity to align on the reporting cycle. During the meeting, the project management team launched the newest version of the Aurora 2030 Handbook, where the reporting processes and needs are presented together with the communications guidelines and other useful tools.  

In conclusion, the Spring Biannual leadership workshop in Naples successfully laid the groundwork for increased synergy and collaboration within the Aurora 2030 project. The teams continue strengthening their collaborative efforts by addressing key areas such as funding, student needs, and better alignment. 

On 28 May  2024, rectors of Aurora’s universities came together to sign the Common Footprint Reduction Plan during the Aurora Spring Biannual at the  University Federico II of Naples. This collective effort is a unified commitment to sustainability and sets the stage for a greener future for universities within Aurora.

The Common Footprint Reduction Plan serves as a subsequent step to the Sustainable Campus Action Plan. Lorenzo Rieg, Sustainability Coordinator at the University of Innsbruck and Lead for T6.2 on Aurora Sustainable Campus, shared: “We had the Sustainable Campus Action Plan as our first deliverable from Aurora universities, committing to being sustainable and responsible universities making positive change in our societies. This Common Footprint Reduction Plan builds on the first by adding specific actions focused on several sustainability measures.”

Aurora Common Footprint Reduction Plan

The Common Footprint Reduction Plan underscores that each university will create tailored sustainability plans to suit its unique circumstances. Universities within Aurora will determine a baseline for CO2 emissions, preferably from 2019 onwards, and commit to achieving net carbon neutrality by 2040. This includes a 50% reduction in CO2-equivalent emissions by 2030.

Furthermore, universities will also commit to:

• Net-zero emissions
• Join the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Education Race to Zero.
• Measure the baseline for CO2 emissions and implement monitoring measures in key action areas.
• Initiate sustainability reporting by 2025 with annual updates, ideally following Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) regulations.
• Set specific targets in at least three action areas from the Sustainable Campus Action Plan.

Zuzanna Hunkova, Coordinator for Sustainable Development at Palacky University Olomouc and Co-lead for T6.2, said: “The Common Footprint Reduction Plan isn’t only about reducing air travel but encapsulates much more.” While all Aurora universities will implement the Aurora travel codex, other elements in the plan include procuring 100% certified green energy and committing to certify newly (re)constructed buildings according to a green building standard.

Through these actions, universities within Aurora reaffirm their commitment to the outlined sustainability goals, underlining the critical role in our mission to enhance sustainability on campus by setting clear, comprehensive, and measurable goals to reduce our carbon footprint.

The European Research Area Forum, in collaboration with the Commission and stakeholders, has developed guidelines to promote the responsible utilisation of generative artificial intelligence (AI) within the European research community.

These guidelines, influenced by established frameworks like the European Code of Conduct for Research Integrity and guidelines on trustworthy AI, provide crucial recommendations to researchers, research organisations, and funders across Europe. With the rapid spread of this technology’s use in all domains, including science, the guidelines address key opportunities and challenges. However, despite its benefits, the commission advises researchers to remain vigilant of potential pitfalls such as plagiarism, privacy breaches, and inherent biases. Margrethe Vestager, Executive Vice President, emphasised the importance of fostering an AI ecosystem in Europe while upholding ethical standards, urging researchers to leverage generative AI for the betterment of society.

Key highlights from the guidelines include refraining from sensitive activities like peer reviews, ensuring privacy and intellectual property rights, and fostering transparency in funding processes.

Aurora representatives played a significant role in shaping these guidelines, with contributions from experts such as Prof. Kamil Kopecky (Palacky University) and Prof. Koen Hindriks (VU Amsterdam), supported by Pim de Boer from Aurora Central Office and expertise from the University of Iceland. These guidelines mark a pivotal step towards establishing a reference for European research, with plans for continuous updates based on scientific and stakeholder feedback. Moreover, they align with Aurora networks’ involvement in the proposal for a European Research Area action plan for 2025-2027.

The Aurora board is pleased to welcome Dr Ramon Puras as its new Secretary-General, effective 1 May, 2024, marking the beginning of a new era within Aurora.    

The Secretary-General serves as chief operational officer and is the most senior appointed official within the Aurora network. Dr Ramon Puras will succeed Frans Snijders, who has been the interim Secretary-General. Ramon Puras, previously Dean of the Faculty of Education at Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences, brings a robust portfolio of achievements to Aurora. He has led educational and research initiatives that have substantially advanced the pedagogical landscape in Amsterdam. His dedication extends to employing cutting-edge research and emerging technologies to enrich and continuously innovate higher education programmes.  Apart from his managerial commitments, Dr Puras finds joy in teaching an innovative course, Gastronomy, the Art and Science of Cooking, bridging his interests in science, cooking and education. This multifaceted approach highlights his drive to explore and foster interdisciplinary connections within the academic realm.  

The Aurora board believes Ramon will bring great expertise to Aurora as Secretary-General, focusing on engagement with Aurora’s member and partner universities. Aurora’s President, Jón Atli Benediktsson, expressed: “Dr Puras is an outstanding fit for Aurora. His lifelong background in higher education, international experience, and prior leadership positions are particularly relevant to Aurora. Furthermore, his perspective that students must be engaged with research from the very beginning of their undergraduate studies is nothing short of inspiring. Dr Puras has all the makings of a successful Secretary-General for the international network that Aurora is, and I welcome him warmly.” 

With Ramon at the helm, Aurora anticipates a strategic leap towards matching academic excellence with societal relevance. Ramon notes: “The combination of excellence in academia to create positive societal impact speaks to my heart. I’m excited to be part of Aurora and lead its future development towards achieving this objective.”  

As Aurora embraces this new chapter in its leadership, its community welcomes Ramon on board and supports the innovative directions he envisions to drive profound and impactful change.