Author: Anna Klas

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.  

Aurora Universities Network Offers Recommendations for Diverse and Sustainable Academic Careers in Higher Education

Amsterdam / Brussels – February 2024

The Aurora Universities Network has released a set of recommendations aimed at enhancing the attractiveness and sustainability of academic careers within higher education. These recommendations, rooted in practicality and alignment with EU Council guidelines, represent a joint effort to address the evolving needs of academia.

Focusing on Alignment with EU Council Recommendations

Central to the recommendations is a focus on aligning with EU Council recommendations on research careers, talent retention, and the CoARA principles. By adhering to these directives, the Aurora Universities Network seeks to ensure coherence and harmonization within the European academic landscape.

Emphasizing Multifaceted Career Roles

Recognizing the diverse nature of academic roles, the recommendations advocate for the inclusion of education, research, innovation, and societal outreach in academic career paths. This acknowledges the reality of hybrid careers and the fluidity with which individuals move between different functions within academia.

Rethinking Recognition and Rewards

A significant departure from conventional approaches is the proposal to reassess the acknowledgment and incentive structure within academia. Instead of solely focusing on publication metrics, the Aurora Universities Network suggests a holistic approach that encompasses teaching, societal impact, research support, management, leadership, and patient care.

Maintaining Realistic Standards

The proposal emphasizes the importance of maintaining realistic standards while striving for consistency across the European Union. Highlighting the need for comprehensive frameworks that accommodate the diverse career paths present in modern academia, it draws on examples such as the Dutch Recognition & Awarding strategy.

Looking Ahead

The Aurora Universities Network remains committed to promoting diversity, sustainability, and excellence in academic careers. By embracing these recommendations, institutions can work towards fostering a more inclusive and vibrant academic community.

For inquiries, please contact Dr. Pim de Boer at w.i.de.boer@vu.nl or Dejan Lukovic at dejan.lukovic@uibk.ac.at.

Exciting developments are underway in Aurora international education, thanks to the newly launched EURIDICE project. Officially initiated at the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam and co-led by the University of Naples Federico II, EURIDICE brings together representatives from European institutions, companies, and universities.

EURIDICE – short for European Inclusive Education for Digital Society, Social Innovation, and Global Citizenship – commenced with a dynamic meeting at VU Amsterdam. Gathering a diverse group of 25 partners, including universities, research centres, cultural and scientific institutions, and companies, the event saw 30-40 attendees on-site and an additional 27 participants joining online from 10 countries worldwide.

Building Digital Society and Global Citizenship

Expanding Aurora’s pilot domain on Digital Society and Global Citizenship, EURIDICE aims to advance Europe toward a digital future by nurturing the next generation of innovators and leaders. These individuals will be equipped with advanced digital skills tailored to societal transformation and global citizenship.

Attendee Dr. Michal Malacka, Vice-Rector for Strategy and Regional Affairs at Palacký University Olomouc, commented, “Aurora has long been dedicated to the Digital Society and Global Citizenship. Initially starting with a common educational module, the project evolved into a comprehensive master’s study program. The complexity of this initiative requires innovative solutions, incurring increased costs. To expand our efforts towards reaching these goals, we have utilized the Digital Europe program of the European Commission to secure funding for the EURIDICE project and facilitate the preparation and implementation of study programs.”

EURIDICE’s objectives are two-fold:

• To establish an international, interdisciplinary, and collaborative master’s degree program (a Joint MA Degree) focusing on digital society, social innovation, and global citizenship.
• To enhance the teaching competencies of educators in higher education by developing a programme for professional training and lifelong learning.

Interdisciplinarity At the Heart of EURIDICE

EURIDICE’s interdisciplinary essence revolves around advanced digital technologies, encompassing fields such as AI, Machine Learning, Data Science, and Cybersecurity. Beyond technical skills, the project integrates perspectives from law, humanities, social sciences, and business/economics to understand the digital landscape comprehensively.

Dr. Pietro Nunziante, Associate Professor in Industrial Design at the Department of Architecture, University of Naples Federico II, was one of the main speakers during the first day of the EURIDICE launch. Providing insight into collaborative learning design, he explained the concept with a particular focus on blended and remote learning.

The consortium driving EURIDICE is robust, consisting of eleven universities across Europe, two independent digital research centres of excellence, two cultural institutes, six small-medium enterprises, and four associated universities, three of which are from the Global South. The project seamlessly integrates ongoing academic digital research into education programs, fostering strong connections with industry and societal institutions. This collaborative effort promises to shape the future of inclusive digital education and innovation in Europe and beyond.