Ella Hafermalz and Christer Guldemond – School of Business and Economics (International Business Administration)
Joram Pach and Arjen de Wit – Faculty of Social Sciences
These awards acknowledge the recipients’ dedication to integrating academic learning with meaningful societal engagement, reinforcing the role of higher education in addressing real-world challenges.
Through the recognition of these exceptional projects and collaborations, the event underscored the importance of innovation, partnership, and community engagement in advancing global citizenship education. The award-winning contributions serve as inspiring examples of how universities and their partners can create positive impact locally and globally.
For the first time, the Aurora Students Conference was hosted in Košice, Slovakia, at Pavol Jozef Šafárik University in Košice (UPJŠ), bringing together members of the Aurora Student Council, Aurora Student Ambassadors, and students from across Aurora.
Learning And Working Hand-in-hand
More than a regular Aurora Student Council (ASC) meeting, the conference was designed as an opportunity to strengthen intercultural exchange, foster collaboration, and encourage dialogue among students from different Aurora universities. The event formed part of the Blended Intensive Programme (BIP) “Globalization Processes and Global Skills”, creating a unique environment where Student Council representatives and BIP participants could learn and work together.
In total, 33 students took part in the week-long programme, representing Pavol Jozef Šafárik University in Košice (UPJŠ), Palacký University Olomouc (UP), Universität Innsbruck (UIBK), South-West University “Neofit Rilski”, Universitat Rovira i Virgili (URV), V. N. Karazin Kharkiv National University (KKNU), Università Federico II of Naples (UNINA), and Copenhagen Business School (CBS).
Over two days, participants engaged in a diverse programme that combined Student Council governance with interactive learning activities. The conference opened with a workshop on Global Skills – New Jobs and the Labour Market Today, led by representatives from Košice IT Valley, followed by a discussion session exploring the skills needed to navigate an evolving global labour market. Alongside these activities, ASC members held their dedicated closed meeting to discuss ongoing initiatives, future priorities, and opportunities for strengthening student engagement across the alliance.
The second day focused on collaboration between Student Council members and the wider BIP cohort. Through the “Students to Students” workshops, participants took part in a series of interactive activities designed to encourage reflection and dialogue. Simona Gibalová (UPJS) and Eliška Karasová (UP) led an outdoor Walk of Privilege, inviting students to reflect on the intersectionality of privilege within a diverse and multicultural group. This was followed by “What Is There Behind an Object?”, a workshop facilitated by Benedetta Toledo (UNINA), which encouraged participants to explore the social, cultural, ecological, political, and economic dimensions of everyday objects in a globalized world, closely aligning with the overarching theme of the BIP.
Developing Intercultural Competencies In Higher Education
The programme concluded with an interactive workshop on Intercultural Perspectives on Globalization by Niels Hexspoor (UP), encouraging students to reflect on cultural diversity, global challenges, and the importance of intercultural competencies in higher education.
By combining governance meetings with collaborative workshops and intercultural learning, the conference demonstrated Aurora’s commitment to empowering students as active contributors to the alliance. Hosting the event within the framework of the BIP further strengthened connections between Student Council representatives and students from across the network, creating new opportunities for cooperation, knowledge sharing, and lasting international friendships.
The successful event marked another important milestone for Aurora, highlighting the essential role of students in shaping a more inclusive, collaborative, and internationally connected European Higher Education community.
The Universitat Rovira i Virgili (URV) recently hosted the Blended Intensive Programme (BIP) Linguistic Diversity, Interculturality and European Identity. The programme brought together students from Aurora universities to explore multilingualism, intercultural competence and the role of linguistic diversity in fostering a shared European identity.Attendees of the Linguistic Diversity, Interculturality and European Identity BIP
Organised in collaboration with Aurora partners Universität Innsbruck (UIBK), Palacký University Olomouc (UP) and Università Federico II of Naples (UNINA), the programme combined online learning with an intensive on-site week in Tarragona. The course was designed collaboratively by the four institutions, with lecturers from each partner university contributing to the different modules. For instance, Prof. Lídia Gallego co-teached one of the modules with Prof. Ulrike Jessner, both specialists in multilingualism.
This year’s edition welcomed 21 mobility students, 8 local students and 5 lecturers at URV. Previous editions attracted a similar number of participants, demonstrating the programme’s growing appeal across the Aurora alliance. In fact, according to Prof. Gallego, interest has increased significantly, with many more applications received than could be accepted, as participation was capped at 30 students.
One of the most valuable aspects of the programme was its innovative approach. “Through a carefully designed combination of online and on-site components, participants engaged in collaborative learning that required them to navigate linguistic diversity and intercultural interaction in authentic academic contexts,” explains Prof. Gallego. Working in multilingual and intercultural groups enabled students and staff from different Aurora universities not only to learn about these topics, but also to put them into practice throughout the programme.
The edition hosted by the URV was particularly enriched by its coincidence with Sant Jordi, one of Catalonia’s most emblematic cultural celebrations. Participants also had the opportunity to experience other university and local cultural events taking place during the same period, including Aurora Gastro Week and Lletra Fest, the Faculty of Humanities’ literature festival.
Intensive in-person classes on multilinguism, diversity and interculturality
Building European Identity Through Cultural Exchange And Short-Term Mobility
Beyond the academic programme, participants connected in informal settings and experienced local culture first-hand. On Monday, students from URV and Aurora Student Ambassadors organised a beach volleyball activity on one of Tarragona’s beaches, creating a relaxed environment for intercultural exchange and community building.
For Prof. Gallego, the programme offers significant benefits for students. It provides an international and Erasmus-like experience without requiring them to leave their home university for an extended period. Students can put their multilingual skills into practice, particularly by using English intensively throughout the week and during the online sessions, while gaining new perspectives on interculturality, identity and multilingualism. The programme also introduces them to the international mobility opportunities available through URV and the Aurora alliance.
The BIP format offers several advantages. It allows students to experience international mobility before committing to a long-term Erasmus exchange, helping them overcome potential concerns about studying abroad. Academically, students can complete an elective course in an intensive format and have it recognised as part of their degree. At the same time, the short duration makes participation more accessible, as students do not need to relocate, secure accommodation or establish a new social network.
Reflecting on the overall outcomes, Prof. Gallego notes that the experience had “a strong educational and personal impact, strengthening participants’ intercultural competences and reaffirming the value of European cooperation in higher education.”
The initiative reflects Aurora’s commitment to promoting diversity, inclusion and international collaboration through innovative learning experiences. By encouraging participants to engage with different languages, perspectives and cultures, the programme contributes to building a more connected and inclusive European Higher Education Area.
The next edition of the BIP has already been confirmed and will take place at Universität Innsbruck in May/June 2027.
07 January 2026
Aurora Universities has joined forces with 16 other European higher education organisations to issue a joint statement calling for an Erasmus+ budget of at least €60 billion for 2028–2034. The statement, published on 7 January 2026, urges the European Parliament, the European Commission, and Member States to significantly increase Erasmus+ funding to meet the programme’s ambitions.
Aurora is fully committed to the success of Erasmus+. The Aurora 2030 programme has made great progress on international cooperation and student and staff exchanges. However, the proposed budget will not suffice to maintain mobility and cooperation at scale, nor to broaden efforts and societal impact.
This joint statement, therefore, highlights the importance of securing funding aligned with Erasmus+’s ambitious objectives. This will allow the higher education organisations to secure one of Europe’s most tangible success stories, which will positively impact employability, innovation capacity and civic engagement across Europe.
Read the full statement here
For more information, please contact Pim de Boer (senior policy advisor) or Ramon Puras (secretary general)
Micro-credentials are rapidly transforming higher education in Europe. As certified, small-scale learning units with clearly documented and assessed learning outcomes, they offer a flexible, inclusive, and responsive way for learners to acquire relevant competences. Within Aurora, micro-credentials play a vital role in shaping the inter-university campus of the future – one that is modular, transdisciplinary, and accessible across borders.Christina Raab from Universität Innsbruck presents the Aurora Guidelines for Micro-credentials
The newly developed Aurora Guidelines for Micro-credentials provide a shared framework for designing, issuing, and recognising these qualifications across partner universities. Grounded in the European Council’s Recommendations and driven by Aurora’s mission for societal impact, these guidelines aim to harmonise practices and strengthen collaboration throughout the alliance.
A European Approach for a Changing Learning Landscape
Micro-credentials have emerged as important instruments to support lifelong learning, upskilling, and mobility within the European Higher Education Area. They allow learners to engage in small-scale learning experiences while ensuring that the acquired competences and knowledge are quality-assured, portable, transparent and stackable.
For Aurora, micro-credentials are more than just short courses. They are building blocks for a European inter-university campus:
Gateways to flexible participation across institutions
Tools for harmonising recognition and mobility
Foundations for socially impactful, transdisciplinary education.
Designing Micro-Credentials for Quality, Transparency, and Impact
Aurora micro-credentials follow a set of shared principles to ensure comparability and quality across universities:
Learning outcomes-based design: Each micro-credential integrates subject-specific and transversal competences, drawing on frameworks such as the Aurora Competence Framework, LOUIS, BEVI, and seizmic
Standardised size and structure: Typically 3 to 10 ECTS credits, documented according to the standard elements defined by the European Council Recommendation
Quality assurance: Each issuing university applies its institutional QA processes, guided by ESG standards and national regulations
Together, these principles ensure that every Aurora micro-credential is robust, comparable, and recognised across the alliance and beyond.
Aurora Academic Matchmaking Retreat where the Aurora Guidelines for Micro-credentials were presented
Collaboration Across Borders: How Joint Micro-Credentials Are Built
Joint micro-credentials are co-designed within Aurora’s Educational Hubs, where academics collaboratively develop content, align learning outcomes, and agree on assessment methods. “Joint” may also simply refer to the fact that participating students can come from all Aurora universities. While co-creation in the development process is the intended goal, it is not an absolute requirement for every joint micro-credential. Each participating university quality-assures the components it teaches, while one or more designated universities act as the official issuers. Because not every partner institution is equally positioned or technically equipped to issue micro-credentials, issuing responsibilities are assigned based on regulatory and technical feasibility. This collaborative model – anchored in mutual trust and transparent procedures – allows learners to combine learning units across institutions and receive a single, high-quality, jointly recognised credential.
To ensure consistency and support continuous development, Aurora’s Micro-Credential Coordination Committee (Aurora-MCC) – formally established in November 2025 – serves as a central body for coordination, expertise, and peer learning. Rather than enforcing compliance, the committee fosters a shared ecosystem, promoting visibility, interoperability, and alignment across work packages.
Digital Solutions for a Seamless Learning Experience
Technology is central to Aurora’s micro-credential ecosystem. The Aurora Virtual Campus serves as the central platform for publishing, accessing, and promoting Aurora micro-credentials. The corresponding courses will be displayed in the Aurora Joint Course Catalogue, enhancing visibility, transparency, and open participation for Aurora students and staff.
Aurora universities currently issue micro-credentials in two primary formats:
Digitally signed (e-sealed) PDF certificates, and
Secure digital badges, compliant with EU interoperability and data protection standards.
Looking ahead, the alliance aims to adopt European Digital Credentials (EDC) and digital wallets, enabling learners to securely store, manage, and share their achievements across Europe.
These digital solutions reinforce learner ownership, transparency, and employability -supporting a truly borderless learning experience.
Next Steps: Harmonisation, Visibility, and Future Readiness
Implementation of the guidelines will progress through several key actions:
Mapping existing micro-credentials and aligning them with Aurora standards
Increasing visibility through the Aurora Virtual Campus and shared catalogue
Developing shared workflows for issuing, recognition, and interoperability
Establishing a regular review and peer-learning cycle under the Aurora-MCC.
By 2030, micro-credentials are expected to become a core element of Aurora’s inter-university campus model. They will support personalised learning pathways, enable digital and physical mobility, and strengthen the alliance’s mission to foster research-driven, socially impactful education across Europe. Aurora also plans to expand micro-credentials into non-formal learning spaces and diverse learner communities, promoting access, inclusion, and lifelong learning.
Reflections: Opportunities and Challenges Ahead
The movement toward micro-credentials brings immense promise. They empower learners to design their own pathways, support cross-institutional collaboration, and encourage institutions to adopt more flexible, outcome-based approaches to teaching, learning and recognition. They also help connect formal and non-formallearning in more seamless ways.
Yet challenges persist. Aligning institutional regulations, recognition procedures, and digital infrastructures remains complex. Equally important are the cultural aspects: varying understandings of learning, hesitations around new practices, and the natural pull toward familiar institutional traditions.
Overcoming these challenges requires openness, trust, and a shared commitment to innovation. For Aurora, the path forward is clear: building a flexible, interoperable, and learner-centred ecosystem that supports Higher Education’s transformation in an era of continuous change.
On 29 October 2025 in Vancouver, Canada, Aurora officially welcomed Simon Fraser University (SFU) as Global Member, marking a key step in Aurora’s growth as a global network of universities dedicated to societal impact through academic excellence.From left to right: Veronika Sexl, Aurora President and Rector of Universität Innsbruck; Dugan O’Neil, SFU Vice-President Research and Innovation; and Ramon Puras, Aurora Secretary General
Transatlantic Collaboration Engaged To Global Societal Impact
SFU’s membership strengthens Canadian–European collaboration in higher education and research. In times of global uncertainty, this partnership reflects a shared commitment to academic cooperation, democratic values, and societal engagement. Together, Aurora and SFU will advance work on sustainability, equity-driven inclusion, and educational innovation, connecting regional strengths with global impact.
“Strengthening our relationship with SFU is a major milestone in expanding our global partner network,” said Veronika Sexl, Aurora President and Rector of Universität Innsbruck. “We share not only values and visions but also many thematic intersections and opportunities for growth. United by our mission to build bridges and positively shape societal change, we are reinforcing transatlantic cooperation during challenging times.”
“SFU is committed to collaboration across borders as we help build solutions to the global challenges affecting us all,” said SFU President Joy Johnson. “Membership in the Aurora European Universities network allows us to pursue exciting partnerships with leading institutions in Europe. I look forward to strengthening our international engagement while furthering our research and innovation impact.”
Celebrating transatlantic collaboration and commitment to societal impact between Aurora and Simon Fraser University
The Connection Agreement, signed on 29 October 2025 at SFU’s Burnaby campus, formalises the partnership between SFU and Aurora. The signing took place in the presence of Aurora President Veronika Sexl, SFU Vice-President, Research and Innovation Dugan O’Neil, and Aurora Secretary General Ramon Puras.
“This agreement marks an important milestone for Aurora’s global development,” said Ramon Puras, Aurora Secretary General. “It opens new opportunities for transatlantic collaboration and for turning shared values into meaningful societal impact.”
A strategic meeting was held at The Place Beyond the Bytes Startup Incubator, hosted by Professor Dr. Hannes Rothe. The session brought together representatives from two leading European university alliances: Professor Dr. Jan Kratzer and Rozaliia Pait (ENHANCE Alliance/ TU Berlin) met with Professor Dr. Karen Shire, Petra Günther, and Dr. Tomasz Waliczko (Aurora Universities/ University of Duisburg-Essen) to explore new pathways for collaboration in education, research, and innovation.
Discussions focused on advancing academic mobility, launching joint research initiatives, and developing short-term mobilities that promote innovation and sustainability. Participants shared a strong commitment to connect students, researchers, and entrepreneurs across Europe and to turn today’s dialogue into concrete actions in the near future.
On 17 October 2025, during the “Dies Academicus” celebration at Universität Innsbruck, Professor Dr. Jón Atli Benediktsson, former Rector of the University of Iceland, was awarded the title of Honorary Senator. The distinction recognises his outstanding contributions to academic cooperation and his strong commitment to Aurora.
Beyond his remarkable academic career, Professor Benediktsson has been a leading voice in shaping the European Higher Education Area. As President of the Aurora network (2020–2024), he played a pivotal role in defining the alliance’s strategic direction. During his presidency, Universität Innsbruck joined the Aurora alliance, greatly enhancing its European and international visibility.
Born in Reykjavik in 1960, Professor Benediktsson earned his PhD in Electrical Engineering from Purdue University (USA) in 1990. He began his career at the University of Iceland in 1991 and became Full Professor in 1996. From 2009 until his appointment as Rector in 2015, he served as Pro-Rector for Science and Academic Affairs.
One of Iceland’s most productive researchers, Professor Benediktsson has published over 400 scientific papers in the fields of remote sensing, image analysis, pattern recognition, machine learning, and biomedical signal processing. He is a Fellow of the IEEE (since 2004) and SPIE (since 2013) and has received numerous awards, including the IEEE Millennium Medal and the Highest Impact Paper Award of the IEEE Geoscience and Remote Sensing Society.
Driving Force Behind Collaborative Initiatives in Aurora
Within Aurora, he has been a driving force behind the creation of joint European teaching and study programs, collaborative research initiatives, and higher education policy positions. Under his leadership, the University of Iceland took on the consortium leadership of Aurora 2030 funded by the European Commission with approximately €15 million, and led the Horizon Europe project Aurora Research & Innovation.
A memorable moment in his collaboration with Universität Innsbruck was his participation in the Aurora Spring Biannual 2022, held in Innsbruck from 10 to 12 May 2022. Together with the then Rector of Innsbruck, he opened the event that brought together over 200 participants from across Europe to shape the future of the alliance.
During his presidency, he also championed Aurora’s solidarity with Ukraine, notably with V.N. Karazin Kharkiv National University. He played a central role in a fundraising campaign that raised €51,000 to support the continuation of the university’s operations during the war and in establishing the Aurora Karazin University Peace Hub – a platform for peace education and conflict transformation.
This collaboration culminated in the Aurora International Peace Conference, hosted by Universität Innsbruck in February 2025. The high-level event gathered international experts from academia, politics, and civil society to advance dialogue on peacebuilding and further strengthened Innsbruck’s international profile.
On July 7, 2025, members of the Aurora UDE Community came together for an informal meet-up to connect, exchange ideas, and welcome new faces. Colleagues from various Aurora work packages based at the University of Duisburg-Essen (UDE), as well as several Aurora student ambassadors, took the opportunity to share insights about their work and their experiences, and learn more about each other’s activities within the Aurora network. The gathering provided an open space for networking, questions, and inspiration, particularly for newcomers interested in contributing to Aurora’s mission of combining academic excellence with societal impact.
Thank you to everyone who joined and made the exchange so enriching. The Aurora Community at the UDE looks forward to continuing these conversations and strengthening connections across disciplines and departments
For further inquiries about the UDE Aurora Community, please contact the Aurora Alliance Office here.
Universität Innsbruck, in cooperation with Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II (Italy) and Palacký University Olomouc (Czech Republic) and representatives of the Université Paris-Est Créteil (France), successfully convened a hybrid working meeting to launch the hybrid Joint Master Degree Programme entitled “Digital Society, Social Innovation, and Global Citizenship” (DIGISOC).
This innovative joint programme aims to address the pressing challenges, but also the opportunities, of increasing digitalisation through a collective effort. 42 colleagues from all involved universities and participating organisations took part in this intensive working session, either on-site or online.
During the meeting, the Vice Rector for Teaching and Student Affairs at Universität Innsbruck, Univ.-Prof. Dr. Janette Walde, emphasised the need for a unified curriculum that effectively combines the diverse offerings of the three degree-awarding universities and for optional practical phases involving companies and small and medium enterprises (SMEs).
Aligning University Structures Into A Cohesive Programme
The complexity of aligning three different university structures into a cohesive programme was acknowledged as a significant challenge, but the commitment of the staff involved paved the way for future collaboration, moderated by the responsible Dean of Studies assoz. Prof. Mag. Dr. Nikolaus Umlauf and Christina Raab.
Key issues discussed included the development of scholarship opportunities, student enrollment processes, and key elements for the successful implementation of the Joint Master’s Programme. The selection process will be coordinated by Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II. It was also agreed that each university will publish information about the Joint Master Programme and a call for scholarships, specifying the criteria and stipends, so that eligible students can apply. The aim of this initiative is to increase accessibility and to attract a wide range of students from different fields of study.
Participants also discussed in detail the creation of a comprehensive website to promote the Joint Master’s Programme. The proposed website will serve as a landing page with key information, including the application process. It is planned that the website will be ready for public access by the end of March 2025. In the meantime, the institutional information pages of the three degree-awarding universities will provide information and, of course, link to this page in the near future.
Launching of the Joint Master’s Programme
Looking ahead, the launch date for the Joint Master’s Programme is set for October 1, 2025. The universities expressed their collective commitment to address remaining challenges and completing the necessary accreditation and administrative processes in preparation for this date. The next steps will involve continued faculty and administrative collaboration, with a follow-up meeting scheduled to review progress and finalise outstanding issues.
The Joint Master Degree Programme “Digital Society, Social Innovation, and Global Citizenship” aims to prepare students to become leaders capable of managing global citizenship in a digital society while fostering social innovation; at the same time, it is a demonstration of the added value and feasibility of international cooperation in higher education.
DIGISOC originates from the Aurora Educational Hub “Digital Society & Global Citizenship”, which has facilitated the development of this two-year European Joint Master Degree Program (120 ECTS credits). Due to the ambitious and resource-intensive nature of this initiative, an additional project proposal, EURIDICE, has been submitted to the EU call DIGITAL-2022-SKILLS-03. DIGISOC has now been realised based on this call.
Over 40 educators, researchers, administrators, and students from seven Aurora partner universities – Palacký University Olomouc, Universität Innsbruck, University of Duisburg-Essen, Université Paris-Est Créteil, University of Iceland, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, and University Federico II of Naples —came together for a week to collaborate during the combined Blended Intensive Programme (BIP) for staff and students.
Sustainability Meets Culture: Interdisciplinary Insights and Engaging Dialogues Between Research Groups
The Educational Hubs meeting unveiled surprising commonalities among otherwise distinct disciplines. Members of the Sustainability and Climate Change group discovered valuable intersections with the Culture: Diversities and Identities group, leading to engaging discussions on topics such as ecocriticism and the management of natural resources. Notably, the connection between ecological farming, fertilizer management, and literary studies highlighted the synergies between environmental issues and cultural narratives.
The first four days of the week focused on multidisciplinary projects and initiatives in research and teaching, addressing themes like Cooperative Online International Learning (COIL) and the development of new bilateral partnerships. Janette Walde, Vice-Rector for Teaching and Student Affairs at UIBK, expressed her excitement about the wealth of ideas generated in such a short timeframe. “It’s incredible how many implementation opportunities can emerge in such a short period!” Prof. Barbara Buchenau from UDE added, “The stunning backdrop of the Austrian mountains and the serenity of the surroundings allowed us to harness the power of nature and gain fresh scientific insights.”
Concise, compelling, and convincing: The 3MT competition showcases the art of science communication
A diverse and international group of students participated in training sessions on science communication, practicing the 3MT (Three Minute Thesis) presentation style developed at the University of Queensland. In this challenging format, participants present their research in just three minutes, supported by a single static slide and their voice. Under the guidance of science communication expertsSuzanne Whitby, Stéphane Kenmoe, Melanie Bartos, and Toby Wikström, the students transformed their initial, uncertain attempts into clear and engaging presentations.The event culminated on Friday, October 25, in a competition where an international jury evaluated the students’ 3MT presentations and conducted an online voting for an audience award. In front of a multidisciplinary audience, the finalists showcased remarkable expressiveness and communication skills. Marharyta Hodeieva from UPOL (“Healing Through Stories”), Juliette Direur from UPEC (“Can Breathing Be Dangerous?”), and Stéphanie Chedid from UPEC (“Transporting: Plants to Planes”) all received jury awards, with the latter also winning the audience award.This event not only showcased the exceptional talent and creativity of Master’s and PhD students but also highlighted the power of collaboration across disciplinary boundaries. The connections made and insights gained during this week will undoubtedly inspire future projects and partnerships within Aurora and beyond.
Over the course of four intensive days, IT experts and administrative staff gathered at Universität Innsbruck to set the course for a joint digital campus.
Part of the Aurora 2030 project includes enabling seamless access to educational and training activities for students and staff from Aurora universities. Set under Task 6.1. Aurora IT Development & Services of work package 6 for Green and Digital Campus, this task further aims to deliver shared interoperability, in line with the expansion of EU standards for online authentication and authorization to access digital services.
The starting point of these discussions was to develop a common understanding of the digital campus. Three key building blocks were identified. The first building block is a common central course catalogue that collects information on courses from each individual university system. From this foundational block come procedures for automated enrolment and course registration processes in the local systems. This includes access to the local teaching management systems. Finally, the last building block constitutes the issuance, exchange and archive of digital credentials, for which new IT solutions will need to be developed.
For the joint course catalogue, a pilot that has already been developed will be expanded to include Aurora universities the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam and the Universität Rovira i Virgili (URV). The functionality of this joint course catalogue will be further tested. The University of Duisburg-Essen and the URV will also develop a proof of concept for automated enrolment and course registration within the local university systems. In the meantime, the Universität Innsbruck and the University Federico II of Naples will be responsible for developing a concept for digital credentials.
The four-day meeting and workshop culminated in setting up additional working groups to tackle the various topics and to further realise the plans for a joint digital campus for Aurora universities.
The Department of Social Sciences of the University of Naples Federico II, in collaboration with Aurora Sustainability & Climate Change Pilot Domain, is glad to invite you to the seminar “Conducting transdisciplinary research (PhD)”.
The seminar can be considered a key step in shaping the Aurora Doctorate Schools.
Research is a collaborative journey; seldom is it undertaken in isolation. In today’s landscape, research funding institutions emphasize the importance of transdisciplinary approaches, urging projects to transcend the boundaries of universities, countries, disciplines, geographies, languages, and places. This shift in focus encourages researchers to engage in a collective effort to address complex challenges. However, the path of a doctoral researcher, especially the thesis defence, remains an individual endeavour.
The seminar, guided by Professor Patrik Zapata (University of Gothenburg), will delve into the intricacies of navigating the research world. With a wealth of experience as a director of doctoral studies and an expert supervisor, Professor Zapata brings valuable insights to the discussion.
The seminar will be held at the Department of Social Sciences (Aula Ovale, vico Monte della Pietà, 1, Naples) on November 28th, at 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM and online on zoom here.
The Aurora Hackathon ‘Rethinking Food Systems in the Anthropocene’ – was organised by the University of Naples Federico II and took place in Palazzo Gravina, seat of the UNINA Department of Architecture, from Monday 23 to Friday 27 October 2023. The main goal of the activity was to co-create conceptual solutions to rethink the food economy of a specific area of Naples, drawing inspiration from university seminars, and workshops hosted by representatives of sustainable entrepreneurial local activities and from on-field excursions conducted in the local markets.
The following subjects were covered in the lectures and seminars: Anthropocene/Capitalocene (by Adam Arvidsson); Rethinking the City through Food (by Ramon Rispoli); Service Design in the Food Ecosystem (by Afi Soedarsono); Housing experiments for food collectivization (by Ciro Priore); Jugaad, Informal Economy and Technological Disobedience (by Benedetta Toledo, Cristina Trey). For more info on the program please download the Flyer.
According to the hackathon design challenge, the participants had to develop a design proposal to guarantee ecological resilience, economic sustainability for producers and consumers, and organizational feasibility. The long-term goal would be the generation of new communities involving consumers and producers in a specific area of Naples, around Palazzo Fuga, which was the main building involved in the design proposals.
Moreover, design proposals had to include:
– sustainable and community-based solutions for urban gardening (community gardens, vertical farms, and the like);
– solutions for waste reduction based on circularity (composting, recycling, upcycling, etc.);
– physical and digital spaces able to connect producers and consumers in a direct way (farmers’ markets, consumers’ groups, apps and digital platforms);
– sense-making strategies (promotion of local food and recipes; collective events, initiatives, and campaigns related to food, also as a vehicle for social and cultural integration, community building, and cooperation).
The hackathon involved 54 participants, a strong increase compared to the previous two editions: 12 students from the Copenhagen Business School, 6 students from the University of Iceland and 36 students enrolled in the UNINA Master of Science in “Design for the Built Environment” (DBE). The added value of this experience for the students has been the transdisciplinary learning environment, as students were coming not only from all over Europe but also from different backgrounds (Design; Social Sciences; Business Administration; Service Management; Industrial engineering; Environment and Natural Resources, Renewable Energy Sustainability, Economics, and Policy).
On the final day, the students had the opportunity to showcase their project proposals in front of a jury. The best projects, selected for their creativity, social innovation, sustainability, economic feasibility, and business model, have been nominated for the “Seismic Awards”, a competition held by CBS (Copenhagen Business School) to promote creative and innovative social entrepreneurs.
The participants’ comments reflect the value of the initiative.
We asked the students what they appreciated from this experience and all the lectures, and some of their answers were:
I appreciated that all the lectures were extremely related to what would be our project, giving us a practical approach to problem-solving”
“I appreciated that they presented our photos and cases of food from all over the world and markets in Naples, I was also interested in seeing how cities are organized”
“They provided us with a complex and systemic way of thinking, moreover I was interested in the in-depth knowledge gained of Anthropocene and the problems faced in Naples”
“I enjoyed visiting Neapolitan markets and interacting with people because we had some genuine experience, also we could discover the food system in Naples and the culture from the local perspective and get inspiration”
“Seminars gave me amazing insights to the area of Naples, but also by gathering and visiting the markets I understood more about the big and small markets in the city, I enjoyed getting knowledge by experiencing”
“My favourite activity was when we went in “The Florist Bar” because it was interesting to hear a direct experience of the growth of an activity like that, it was inspiring”
25 participants from 4 European universities with over 22 languages spoken. Students, teachers, and staff were working together towards a common goal: to train and discuss European linguistic and cultural plurality and the development of intercultural skills. In the background Naples and the Mediterranean Sea, its cultures, its languages.
The Aurora Blended Intensive Programme (BIP) Erasmus+ “Linguistic diversity, intercultural competences & European identity”, was carried out in mid-September to educate teachers, students, and staff for a plurilingual and intercultural Europe. BIPs are blended intensive programs of study and research. The BIP is coordinated by the University Federico II (UNINA) in partnership with the Innsbruck Universität (UIBK), the Universitat Rovira i Virgili of Tarragona (URV), and the Univerzita Palackého v Olomouci (UPOL), was designed as part of the Aurora programme activities and financed with Erasmus+ European funds.
The four thematic sessions addressed the topics of European political identity, European multilingualism, the educational methodologies of linguistic ethnography, and the development of intercultural competencies in multilingual education and training.
The topic of European political identity was addressed in two seminars by Alessandro Arienzo (UNINA), designed to understand how our recent history and culture have shaped our ideas of Europe and how Europe as an idea is the result of stratified historical and political paths closely connected to social and individual experiences. The concept of European multilingualism was addressed in two workshops by Ulrike Jessner-Schmid (UIBK) in which the participants, working in groups, by expressing their linguistic portraits, experienced how their prior (multi)linguistic knowledge can help them in learning a new language or decoding texts in other languages. Two workshops by Lidia Gallego-Balsa (URV) dealt with the topics of pedagogical translanguaging and linguistic ethnography as a tool for developing competencies in an additional foreign language. Finally, intercultural competencies were the subject of three workshops by Markus Öbrink (UPOL) with the aim of discussing intercultural communication and conflict mediation. The group developed a common intercultural basis by practising techniques such as asking questions, listening effectively, communicating clearly, and anticipating conflicts.
Participants were engaged in the co-creation of workshop activities, as well as in small group activities and plenary discussions. All activities were based on teamwork and challenge-based: the participants, divided into groups, tried to tackle specific problems through discussion and debate. The educational experience was enriched by participating in the Erasmus Welcome Day organised by UNINA with a visit to the Paleontological University Museum, the National Archaeological Museum, and the Morra Greco Art Foundation.
With an outstanding 90% of participants responding to be “highly satisfied” with the activities, and willing to continue in some for the experience, and an overall 80% “satisfied” rate for each of the workshops, this Blended Intensive Program was a success!
Some comments from the participants:
“The event with the Aurora community was an unforgettable experience. I have learned a variety of new things and skills, both for my professional and my personal development”;
“I will forever be grateful for the many new things I have been able to learn, the people I have met, and all of the great moments lived in this city”;
“Participating in the Blending Intensive Program was a wonderful experience for me. The program’s discussion approach was excellent, and I learned a lot from it. I am now even more motivated to continue researching multilingualism after completing my PhD studies. The BIP program enhanced my understanding of how multilingualism can be beneficial and provide social and cognitive advantages to those who speak multiple languages”;
“This ensured that the course met my expectations of a course focused on Linguistic diversity, intercultural competencies & European identity. It also exceeded my expectations in many ways in terms of meeting new people and learning methods from other universities”;
“Meeting students and professors from different universities and getting to know their opinions on various topics has been an enrichment for me”.
The scientific and educative collaboration initiated in Naples will continue next year in Olomouc, with a new Blended Program dedicated to the study of European multilingualism and educational perspectives for Europe to come.
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Attendees of the Linguistic Diversity, Interculturality and European Identity BIP
Organised in collaboration with Aurora partners Universität Innsbruck (UIBK), Palacký University Olomouc (UP) and Università Federico II of Naples (UNINA), the programme combined online learning with an intensive on-site week in Tarragona. The course was designed collaboratively by the four institutions, with lecturers from each partner university contributing to the different modules. For instance, Prof. Lídia Gallego co-teached one of the modules with Prof. Ulrike Jessner, both specialists in multilingualism.
This year’s edition welcomed 21 mobility students, 8 local students and 5 lecturers at URV. Previous editions attracted a similar number of participants, demonstrating the programme’s growing appeal across the Aurora alliance. In fact, according to Prof. Gallego, interest has increased significantly, with many more applications received than could be accepted, as participation was capped at 30 students.
One of the most valuable aspects of the programme was its innovative approach. “Through a carefully designed combination of online and on-site components, participants engaged in collaborative learning that required them to navigate linguistic diversity and intercultural interaction in authentic academic contexts,” explains Prof. Gallego. Working in multilingual and intercultural groups enabled students and staff from different Aurora universities not only to learn about these topics, but also to put them into practice throughout the programme.
The edition hosted by the URV was particularly enriched by its coincidence with Sant Jordi, one of Catalonia’s most emblematic cultural celebrations. Participants also had the opportunity to experience other university and local cultural events taking place during the same period, including Aurora Gastro Week and Lletra Fest, the Faculty of Humanities’ literature festival.
Intensive in-person classes on multilinguism, diversity and interculturality
Christina Raab from Universität Innsbruck presents the Aurora Guidelines for Micro-credentials
The newly developed 
Aurora Academic Matchmaking Retreat where the Aurora Guidelines for Micro-credentials were presented
From left to right: Veronika Sexl, Aurora President and Rector of Universität Innsbruck; Dugan O’Neil, SFU Vice-President Research and Innovation; and Ramon Puras, Aurora Secretary General
Celebrating transatlantic collaboration and commitment to societal impact between Aurora and Simon Fraser University
The Connection Agreement, signed on 29 October 2025 at SFU’s Burnaby campus, formalises the partnership between SFU and Aurora. The signing took place in the presence of Aurora President Veronika Sexl, SFU Vice-President, Research and Innovation Dugan O’Neil, and Aurora Secretary General Ramon Puras.
“This agreement marks an important milestone for Aurora’s global development,” said Ramon Puras, Aurora Secretary General. “It opens new opportunities for transatlantic collaboration and for turning shared values into meaningful societal impact.”
Beyond his remarkable academic career, Professor Benediktsson has been a leading voice in shaping the European Higher Education Area. As President of the Aurora network (2020–2024), he played a pivotal role in defining the alliance’s strategic direction. During his presidency, 
