Developing Intercultural Competencies In Higher Education At The Aurora Students Conference In Košice
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.