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Author: rostanetek

Fostering Community Building through Blended Intensive Programme at Universität Innsbruck

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Foster community building: This was the overarching theme of the first Aurora BIP Staff Week, which took place at Universität Innsbruck from October 2-6, 2023. Participants from almost all Aurora partners – coming from both academia and administration – exchanged manifold ideas with colleagues from Universität Innsbruck to develop new activities and projects.

With more than 50 members of staff, the first Aurora Staff Week at Universität Innsbruck was a great success. In different formats and settings, the main topics of Transformative Education, Innovation Management, Societal Engagement, and Internationalization were explored in depth over several days. Best practices from Universität Innsbruck and the Aurora partner universities served as the basis for the exchange, stimulating a mutual dialogue in the sense of peer learning and opening space for creativity and new ideas.

“Personal encounters are incredibly important for a network like Aurora to be filled with life,” emphasises Rector Veronika Sexl, who is responsible for international affairs at Universität Innsbruck. “I am very pleased that so many colleagues, both in-house and from the Aurora partner universities, have actively taken up the invitation to exchange ideas and that new projects are already in the pipeline.” The “matchmaking sessions” were particularly fruitful, where concrete new activities, such as the development of joint courses, could be discussed in individual smaller settings.

First Erasmus+ Blended Intensive Programme (BIP) hosted by Universität Innsbruck

The Aurora Staff Week, which was funded and organised as an Erasmus+ Blended Intensive Programme (BIP), took place in Innsbruck after a virtual exchange of participants in September. For the first time, the Universität Innsbruck served as a hosting institution for the event. The Aurora Staff Week will conclude with a virtual follow-up meeting at the end of October.

BIPs are teaching/learning formats jointly run by several universities and combine virtual components with physical short-term mobility (“blended”). BIPs are a new mobility format embedded in the Erasmus program, implemented as part of the Erasmus program generation 2021-2027. Within Aurora, the general goal is to develop more joint BIPs between Aurora partners in the coming years. These can be used for training as well as teaching purposes.

Aurora Networking: Universität Innsbruck and Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II successful joint meeting

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From March 28th to March 30th, 2023, the Aurora facilitated a meeting of quantum physicists from the University of Naples Federico II (UNINA) and Universität Innsbruck (UIBK). The purpose of this gathering was to share insights into their respective research fields, explore synergies, and establish the foundation for future collaborative projects. The three-day event, hosted by UIBK, began with a warm welcome from Professor Francesca Ferlaino, an alumnus of UNINA. Vice Rector for Research and fellow physicist Gregor Weihs also extended his greetings to the delegation on behalf of UIBK.  Thomas Baumgartner and his Aurora Alliance Office team in Innsbruck introduced the structure and focus of the Aurora Alliance, highlighting successful cooperation initiatives, including joint courses, micro-credentials, and staff mobility opportunities. This set the framework that guided the researchers in their discussions and brainstorms over the following days. Day two of the event featured in-depth discourse on each delegation’s research fields, laboratory visits at UIBK, and lively debate on potential joint projects. These exchanges allowed the participants to better understand each other’s expertise and identify areas of mutual interest. During the last day, in the pleasant and stimulating environment of the Claudiana, a hall that links Italy and Austria with its history, the participants enthusiastically discussed short- and long-term goals. These, thanks to the participation of Alessandro Arienzo and Dejan Lukovic from the Aurora offices in Naples and Innsbruck respectively, were immediately considered in terms of feasibility. With the groundwork laid for collaboration, the first joint initiative is slated to commence this summer. This promising partnership between UNINA and UIBK is poised to foster impactful advancements in the field of quantum physics, benefiting both institutions and the scientific community at large.    

Linguistic diversity, intercultural competences & European identity

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Are you a Bachelor, Master or PhD student in the fields of Education, Humanities or Social Sciences? This unique opportunity suits you! The University of Naples Federico II, University of Innsbruck, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, and Palacký University Olomouc, participated in the first Blended Intensive Programmes (BIP) call for applications and received funding for the course “Linguistic diversity, intercultural competences & European identity”. Visit the Course Catalogue to find out more.

First Aurora micro-credential “Sustainability & Climate Change” awarded

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On 2 February 2023, Universität Innsbruck awarded the first micro-credential certificate to Giusi Merola from Università Federico II di Napoli. The micro-credential, part of the Aurora joint programme on “Sustainability & Climate Change,” was awarded for Giusi’s completion of 10 ECTS credits. Giusi is the first student, not just at Federico II but throughout the Aurora European University Alliance, to receive a micro-credential, making her the trailblazer for a new era in higher education within Aurora. A micro-credential is a record of the learning outcomes acquired after a short course of study. The courses are designed to provide students with specific knowledge, skills, and competencies that meet societal, personal, cultural, or labour market needs. Micro-credentials are portable and can be shared with potential employers or higher education institutions. Giusi’s experience with the micro-credential was overwhelmingly positive. She shares, “During the lessons, we learned about climate change from various perspectives: anthropological, social, cultural, and scientific. We were given the tools to identify the realities that truly care about sustainability. As a final test, we wrote a report identifying companies close to receiving the B-Corp certification and developed a social start-up project which was presented at the European Forum of Alpbach in Austria to hundreds of students and investors. The experiences enriched me as a person, added valuable skills to my CV, and created numerous online and offline connections.” The “Sustainability & Climate Change” micro-credential is a unique and innovative approach to learning that aligns with the European Council Recommendations. The micro-credential allows participating universities to share the latest research results with students in real time through research-led teaching and challenge-based learning. The certificate not only strengthens opportunities for inclusive international learning but also engages all partners in the Aurora Alliance to provide quality education. Moreover, the micro-credential certificate represents the effort for interoperability of the Aurora universities’ IT systems and connection to common European interfaces and platforms, such as Europass and European Digital Credentials for Learning. This is a further step to help overcome recognition problems that still exist in some places, often due to national study laws. Universität Innsbruck’s issuance of the first micro-credential certificate demonstrates the potential for a new and innovative approach to learning across Aurora universities. The “Sustainability & Climate Change” micro-credential provides students with a unique opportunity to gain specialized knowledge and competencies while simultaneously addressing the challenges posed by climate change.

AWARD CEREMONY: Micro-credential “Sustainability & Climate Change”

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On 2 February 2023 at 11:00 a.m., the UNINA Department of Chemical Sciences will hold the “Micro-credential “Sustainability & Climate Change” award ceremony to celebrate the outstanding achievement of the student Giusi Merola, enrolled in the “Molecular and Industrial Biotechnology” degree course at the University of Naples Federico II. Giusi is the first student in the entire Aurora Alliance to have acquired micro-credentials (10 ECTS) as part of the Aurora Joint Programme Sustainability & Climate Change (https://aurora-universities.eu/sustainability-climate-change/). During the ceremony, the student will be officially presented with the programme completion certificate issued by the University of Innsbruck. It will be possible to attend the ceremony in person or online via the link on the poster.” award ceremony_FINAL

Virtual Lecture Series and Early Career Networking Hour

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The Societal Challenges Lecture Series is aimed at early career researchers with a two-fold objective: delivering cutting-edge academic analysis on the diverse problems of our times, and providing international networking opportunities for doctoral researchers and postdocs. The lecture series aims at providing an antidote to impulsive disaster talk through perceptive academic analysis. Outstanding researchers within the Aurora European University Alliance will give engaging online lectures during the academic year 2023 within two of the Aurora priority domains:
  • Digital Society & Global Citizenship
  • Health & Wellbeing
Delivered online via Zoom, each event begins with a 30-45 minute lecture by an outstanding researcher. You can register for individual dates or the entire series. Following the talk, you will have the opportunity to discuss the lecture, formulate questions for the speaker, and network in breakout rooms for 20 minutes. Finally, the audience and speaker reconvene for a well-prepared, stimulating Q&A. Take the opportunity to meet your peers as well as renowned researchers from the Aurora partner universities. Expand your network and maybe even start new collaborations in your research area! Participation will be certified upon request. Find out more information about the program and registration here.

Aurora workshop on “Digital nomads: living in a society of digital enterprises”

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Together with the VU Amsterdam Network Institute Aurora universities central office organised the workshop on Digital Nomads – Living in a Society of Digital Employees at the Neth-ER premises in Brussels on 14 June 2022. The workshop addressed how society, employers and employees may deal with the new way of working in the digital society, and how to contribute from a scientific perspective. It has been attended by policy-makers from the European Commission, 12 scientists from Aurora universities and its central office and three people representating employees, policy making and digital nomads. Background: The Covid-19 pandemic has inspired an increasing number of employees to work from a different country where their organisation is located. There are several structural factors in society that may further spur the number of digital nomads in Europe, such as an increased desire among employees for autonomy and flexibility in balancing professional and private life, and the advent of digital technologies and intermediary companies that enable a nomadic lifestyle. The digital nomads trend provides scientists, strategists and policy-makers with new technological, organisational, legal, ethical, economical and socio-cultural challenges.   Question: How can current and future research provide input to strategies and policies, and vice versa? Aim: The aim of this workshop was to bundle expertise from ambitious and excellent scientists from various disciplines to discuss challenges related to digital nomads with European policy-makers, and provide directions for the European Commission’s Research & Innovation programs. Results: Certain actions have been identified that are needed from policy-makers and scientists. This will result in a white paper and policy input for the European Commission. The workshop also aimed to foster new contacts between researchers and policy-makers from the European Commission and to provide opportunities for research collaborations. The academic attendees expressed their interest to create an Aurora network of experts related to this topic.

Five Aurora-based university professors got their ERC Advanced Grant

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Scientists from three Aurora universities got five prestigious ERC advanced grants in the 2021 competition, three of which were allocated to researchers from the University of Innsbruck. We congratulate all laureates and their research teams. University of Innsbruck: – Hans BRIEGEL. QuantAI – Artificial agency and learning in quantum environments. – Francesca FERLAINO. DyMETEr – Quantum Simulation with Long-Range-Interacting Dysprosium and Erbium: from Microscopy to Rydberg Tweezers. – Kathrin THEDIECK. BEYOND STRESS – The stress granule machinery controls metabolic signaling through mTOR at steady-state. Copenhagen Business School: – Poul Fritz KJAER. GLOBALVALUE – Global Value Chain Law: Constituting Connectivity, Contracts and Corporations SH2. Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences & Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam: – Eus VAN SOMEREN. OVERNIGHT – Overnight Vulnerable Emotion Reset Normalizing Invalidating Generalized Hyperaroused Tension. For more information see: https://erc.europa.eu/news/erc-2021-advanced-grants-results

Time to register to the 2022 Spring School in Transferable Skills!

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Are you thinking about the next step in your career? This 2-day online Spring School in Transferable Skills will focus on developing skills in grant and CV writing and how to get a faculty position. The school will provide the participants with an overview of the breadth of interviews that can be expected on your interview journey and will provide a space to practise interview questions. Also, topics such as team management, public engagement, gender equality and communication in academia and research will be discussed. The Spring School is free and will be held online on Zoom on the 4th and 5th of May 2022. The School is open to all Aurora universities’ undergraduate, master and PhD students from the STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) area. To register, please email internationalfarmacia@unina.it by the 1st of May. A link to the event will be sent to all participants. For more information, please download the School flyer.

Applications open for exciting Intensive Field Course in Iceland!

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Practical training in the use of geospatial technologies in hazard research and response  This Aurora-supported intensive graduate-level field course is offered by of the Department of Geography and Tourism Studies of the University of Iceland, in collaboration with colleagues from the UI Science Institute and Palacký University Olomouc, Czech Republic. Graduate students from Aurora universities are encouraged to apply, especially those with a background in human or physical geography, geology, environmental sciences or environmental engineering. Applicants are expected to have some basic knowledge of geographic information systems. The course provides students a first-hand experience with state-of-the-art geospatial technologies that are becoming important for both basic research and practical response planning in locations exposed to natural hazards. The focus is on two methodological innovations, understanding physical processes that contribute to landslide hazards and enabling meaningful participation of local publics in hazard research and response. The course gives students the chance to explore Icelandic nature, gain a practical experience in the field, and to work on projects in international teams. Download the flyer for more information! Intensive Field Course in Iceland

Educational and Scientific Digital Infrastructure should be exempted from the Digital Services Act

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Brussels, 5 April 2022

  European Research organisations, libraries, repositories and university networks call for the exclusion of not-for-profit repositories, digital archives and libraries from the obligations of the Digital Services Act (DSA). Not-for-profit scientific and educational repositories, digital archives, and libraries that allow for the upload of content by students, researchers, and third parties, are likely to fall in the scope of the current version of the Digital Services Act. This is in spite of the fact that the legislation is devised for and targeted at commercial platforms. As a result, not-for-profit educational and scientific digital infrastructures would incur additional administrative and financial costs. In addition, the signatories consider that the inclusion of not-for-profit scientific and educational repositories, digital archives, and libraries in the DSA scope would create inconsistency in EU legislation. ‘Not-for-profit educational and scientific repositories’ are already excluded from the scope of the Directive on Copyright in the Digital Single Market (Article 2(6)). The signatories consider that legal coherence between the DSA and Digital Single Market Directive should be ensured to avoid confusion within our institutions. The negotiation position adopted by the European Parliament provides a procedure to exempt not-for-profit repositories from the obligations imposed on online platforms. However, it is overly long and complex and will result in administrative and financial burdens that not-for-profit scientific and educational repositories, digital archives, and libraries will not be able to meet. For these reasons, the undersigned organisations, including AURORA,  which represent most universities, research performing organisations, research funding organisations, research libraries and repositories in Europe, call for the exclusion of not-for-profit repositories, digital archives, and libraries from the obligations of the Digital Services Act. 20220404_Statement_DSA_Final

Aurora Student Council Statement on the Russian War in Ukraine

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The Aurora Student Council stands with Ukraine in the face of the devastating and appalling invasion of Russia. This invasion is in direct violation of international law and benefits no one. We condemn the inhumane attack of the Russian government on the people of Ukraine and Ukrainian democracy. Aurora is working with our Ukrainian associate partners at Karazin Kharkiv National University to identify areas of need and offer the necessary support. Our respective universities are working on supporting the Ukrainian Universities Association and are exploring how they can best offer support. Our thoughts are with all students in Ukraine whose lives have been severely disrupted by the war. We urge our own respective governments to take action and support those seeking refuge from the war as quickly and in as direct a manner as possible. Despite current events, we urge you to remember that we should not equate the actions of governments with their respective citizens. Our solidarity goes out to all Russians who bravely protest their own government and condemn their government’s action as much as we do. War is not a game in which we cheer for either side. This is not the only ongoing humanitarian crisis in the world. We appreciate the efforts of Aurora and our institutions towards aiding in the crisis in Ukraine. Still, it is important to remember that students are experiencing conflict in various areas that have not been given the same amount of attention. We hope that in the future Aurora and our individual institutions will do better when it comes to recognising the aid that students in other war-torn regions require and providing the support needed. As Aurora Student Council, we call for peace everywhere! With love and solidarity, Aurora Student Council  

Statement from the President of Aurora on the situation in Ukraine

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In this incredibly sad time for Ukraine and its people, I, on behalf of Aurora, want to send a message of solidarity, hope and strength to the people of Ukraine to endure. We are shocked and appalled by the actions taken by the Russian government and condemn this unconscionable and unjustified assault on Ukraine´s democracy and sovereignty. We have reached out to our partners and friends at the Karazin Kharkiv National University to offer our support in any way we can. We highly appreciate the collaboration with our Ukrainian partners and continue to admire their strength and determination to promote strategic partnerships between European universities despite the dire circumstances that unfortunately as of now continue to escalate. We hope to continue this work with you and to support your efforts in promoting democracy, freedom and friendly relationships in the context of the European Universities initiative. We stand strongly in solidarity with you in these extremely difficult times. Sincerely Prof. Jon Atli Benediktsson Aurora President Rector of the University of Iceland

University associations join forces to advance European Research Area

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A range of leading European university associations have joined forces through an ‘ERA University associations group’ coordinated by the European University Association (EUA) to help advance the ERA in the context of the ERA Forum. The following associations in alphabetical order are currently involved in this open, inclusive and informal group: The joining of forces amongst our associations aims at coordinating the advice from the European university sector following the publication of the Commission communication A new ERA for Research and Innovation from 30 September 2020, the Council recommendation ‘Pact for research and innovation in Europe’ and conclusions on ‘Future governance of the European Research Area’ from 26 November 2021. It also serves the purpose of ensuring the coordinated representation of the European university sector in the new ERA governance. In the conclusions, the Council defined twenty ‘ERA Actions’ in an ‘ERA Policy Agenda 2022-2024’ and introduced the ‘ERA Forum’ as: “The body, established by the Commission, responsible for enhancing coordination towards the effective implementation of the ERA Policy Agenda, supporting the Commission and the Member States in the delivery of the ERA Actions”. The Council further defined that the ERA Forum should: “Ensure representative involvement at its relevant meetings of EU-level umbrella organisations or other appropriate representative organisations relevant at EU level of the following seven types of stakeholders: universities and other higher education institutions, research and technology performing organisations, R&I-intensive businesses, including SMEs, individual researchers and innovators, including at early- and middle stages of their carriers, research infrastructures, R&I-funding organisations and academies of sciences”. The discussions with the Council and the Commission clarified that one individual from each of the seven types of stakeholders identified may be present at the meetings of the ERA Forum. Aurora is involved in the pre-ERA Forum meetings to provide its input. The first meeting of the ERA Forum is taking place on 25 February. Stephane Berghmans (EUA) or Silvia Gomez Recio (YERUN) will represent the European university sector.

Open courses for Aurora students in spring/summer 2022

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This spring and summer, all Aurora students are invited to have a look at what courses are on offer for them at other Aurora universities. From Fintech and Emerging Financing Models, Big Data Management and Analysis, to Psychology in Sports, there’s a variety of subjects to suit everyone in each study level. Click the button below to access more information on 98 courses at 8 different Aurora universities. Use the ‘Sort & Filter’ option in the spreadsheet in order to check prices, ECTS credits*, dates, and deadlines**. Some application windows are already open, find out how to apply on the respective course websites:
Spring and Summer Courses
Each Aurora university has an allocation of Aurora funding to support outward mobility, and this may be available for your selected courses. Please check with your home university’s study abroad office for details on how to access relevant funding. We hope you will be able to take the opportunity to study abroad at another Aurora university during your degree! So what are you waiting for? Sign up for a course to acquire new knowledge or learn a new skill! *Admission to a course does not guarantee that the achieved learning outcomes or grades will be recognized at your home institution for your respective study programme. It is recommended to discuss recognition issues with the respective office/person at your home institution (e.g. Dean of Studies) as soon as possible. **Please note that some dates are to be confirmed, and delivery modes may change due to unforeseen circumstances. Please get in touch directly with the hosting university for final details.