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Aurora Joins Discussions On Community Engagement At FOREU4ALL Workshop In Strasbourg

Written by Aniza Pourtauborde on . Posted in News.

From 1 to 4 June 2026, four Aurora representatives attended FOREU4ALL’s third transversal workshop “From Campuses to Communities: Enhancing Engagement and Sense of Belonging in European Universities”, at the European Parliament in Strasbourg, France. Hosted by EPICUR alliance, the workshop gathered 140 attendees in-person from over 50 European university alliances, as well as online participants from across Europe.

Participants of FOREU4ALL Workshop 3 “From Campus to Communities”

Building A Shared European University Community

Organised by the FOREU4ALL Community Engagement, and Communication and Dissemination Topical Groups, within which Aurora is actively represented, the event explored community engagement, inclusion, and the role of communication to further build a shared European Universities community and identity.

Through keynote speeches, plenary sessions, poster presentations, and collaborative workshops, participants addressed one of the most important challenges faced by European Universities Alliances (EUAs): how to embed genuine connection and inculcate a sense of belonging for students, staff, academics and stakeholders involved within alliances as well as their institutions.

Aurora representatives Aniza Pourtauborde and Anaïs Warda Kaci (Université Paris-Est Créteil), Alma Ágústsdóttir (University of Iceland), and Ulrike Jessner-Schmid (Universität Innsbruck), joined colleagues in discussions on building thriving communities that extend beyond individual campuses. During the poster session, Aniza and Alma presented the Aurora Student Ambassador programme, one of the cornerstones of student engagement in Aurora.

As Head of Communications Strategic Programmes, Aniza stressed on the importance of working closely with the student community to raise visibility on the impact of the opportunities Aurora provides to students through its educational offers, international mobility, and involvement in Aurora governance structures.

Former Aurora Student Council (ASC) President, Alma echoed this further by showing how student-led activities have strengthened the foundation of student engagement in Aurora. Through the ASC and the Student Ambassador programme, students from Aurora universities meet in-person twice a year to work on formal structures and practices that embed the student voice at every level in Aurora. During these meetings, students also exchange institutional best practices through peer-to-peer learning workshops.

Poster session with Aniza Pourtauborde and Alma Ágústsdóttir
Aurora Student Council Member Anaïs Warda Kaci with student colleague

Engagement, Identity And Sense Of Belonging

A recurring theme throughout the workshop was that a sense of belonging cannot be created through communication campaigns alone. Attendees underlined shared values, and meaningful participation and opportunities, as criteria for personal connection. Discussions followed on moving alliances beyond administrative frameworks to create communities that inspire commitment, collaboration and a shared identity.

Over the two days, participants brainstormed on the following themes during several parallel workshops:

  • Reinforcing the sense of belonging through values, interpersonal relations and Europe.
  • Strengthening awareness, local visibility and understanding of European Universities Alliances.
  • Overcoming mobility barriers, inclusion and diversity in EUAs.
  • Improving motivation through formal recognition.
  • Understanding the value of EUAs.

Aurora actively contributed during two workshops, presenting the groups’ proposals on prototype opportunities that have the potential to engage institutional students and staff at the alliance level.

From Ideas to Action

One of the most productive elements of the workshops was the collaborative design process. Working groups developed practical prototypes aimed at strengthening engagement and community-building across EUAs. Proposed initiatives ranged from cultural and artistic projects, to innovative Blended Intensive Programmes, and shared research databases, networking activities and new approaches to communication and outreach. These proposals, along with other outcomes of the workshops, will be made available through the FOREU4ALL website.

A critical point that emerged from this two-day event was the necessity for targeted and inclusive communication. Rather than relying solely on institutional messaging, alliances must engage professors, student representatives, alumni and local communities as ambassadors of the EUAs’ vision.

Building strong communities requires continuous dialogue, active participation and opportunities for meaningful interaction. For Aurora, the event reinforced the importance of collaboration between alliances and demonstrated how shared challenges can become opportunities for collective learning and innovation.

Three Communities Of Practice Receive Inaugural Aurora Awards

Written by Mark Jeffreys on . Posted in News.

During the closing ceremony of the Aurora Annual Conference 2026, three Communities of Practice (CoPs) were honoured as laureates of the inaugural Aurora CoP Awards.

Laureates of the Aurora Communities of Practice Awards 2026. © Photo credit: eventfotograf.in

First-ever Aurora Communities of Practice Awards

Selected from ten recently registered communities of practice (CoPs), the winning teams were recognised for their strong alignment with Aurora’s core values and their demonstrated impact:

Permahaven Research Group (PRG)
Praised for its commitment to sustainability through deeply embedded collaboration between universities and their local communities, the PRG delivers tangible societal impact via regenerative, place-based learning environments. Through applied, experiential learning in permaculture-oriented urban gardens, these living laboratories connect students, staff, and community members, translating sustainability theory into collaborative practice.

Word from the jury: “It is widely perceived as attractive and inspirational, engaging participants intellectually, socially, and emotionally.”

Peace in Practice Across Universities
This CoP stood out for its contribution to societal change-making, translating principles of peace, democratic participation, and global citizenship into collaborative educational initiatives and public engagement activities. Peace in Practice Across Universities gathers Aurora institutions to co-create research, teaching and engagement on peace and global citizenship. Its activities include policy dialogues, public seminars and challenge labs on conflict, democratic participation and intercultural understanding.

Word from the jury: “It excels in collaboration and places peace and intercultural understanding at the center of inter-university collaboration in a time of heightened global polarisation and political divide.”

South-South and Triangular Cooperation on Food Systems and Climate Change (SSTC-FSCC)
SSTC-FSCC was recognised for its exemplary global collaboration model, fostering equitable partnerships between the Global South and North and addressing food systems and climate resilience through inclusive, participatory approaches. This CoP enables Aurora to act as a bridge for building sustainable partnerships, and promotes the use of innovating teaching and research methodologies, like Real-Life Learning Labs (RLLL) and Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL), thereby contributing to societal transformation, collaboration and sustainability.

Word from the jury: “This CoP has a strong ethical positioning and real-world impact, is highly innovative in its approach to knowledge exchange, and reaches out to members beyond Aurora universities, and beyond Europe underlining the importance of a joint global approach to food security and climate change.”

Opening of the award ceremony by Henk van den Heuvel
Laureate: Permahaven Research Group (PRG)
Laureate: Peace in Practice Across Universities
Laureate: SSTC-FSCC

About the CoP Awards

The Aurora Communities of Practice Awards recognise outstanding achievements, innovative practices, and inspiring individuals or teams involved in Aurora’s CoPs. The awards aim to celebrate excellence, facilitate the exchange of best practices, and promote Aurora’s core values of collaboration, societal impact, and sustainability.

Currently registered Communities of Practice include:

  • Permahaven Research Group (PRG)
  • Peace in Practice Across Universities
  • Supporting Doctoral Researchers and Supervisors
  • The seizmic Community of Practice: Social Entrepreneurship Education, Impact Competencies, and Systemic Change
  • Co-Creating Global Education: The Aurora Internationalisation of the Curriculum CoP
  • INSIGHTS
  • LOUIS: Learning Outcomes in University for Impact on Society
  • Low-Dimensional Materials for Advanced (Bio)Sensing
  • Aurora Research Managers
  • South-South and Triangular Cooperation on Food Systems and Climate Change (SSTC-FSCC)

The Aurora Annual Conference 2026 also highlighted how the achievements of Aurora’s first decade have laid a strong foundation for its next phase of development. By combining thoughtful reflection on ten years of progress with a forward-looking vision, the conference demonstrated the vital role European university alliances can play in shaping a more connected, inclusive, and resilient higher education landscape.

Dr. Margrethe Jonkman Elected As New Aurora President

Written by Mark Jeffreys on . Posted in News.

VU Amsterdam’s Dr. Margrethe Jonkman has been elected as the new Aurora President for the next 12 months.

The official Aurora Presidency handover took place during the 2026 Aurora Annual Conference, held in conjunction with the 10th anniversary of the Aurora network. The opening session marked this milestone by reflecting on and celebrating the longstanding collaboration among Aurora’s member universities. The conference was hosted by the University of Duisburg-Essen, Germany, and began on 18 May.


Margrethe Jonkman, Aurora President. © Photo credit: eventfotograf.in

During the conference, Margrethe highlighted the importance of sustaining strong inter-university collaboration in the context of rapidly evolving international and societal developments. Furthermore, the conference provided a platform for discussions regarding joint educational projects, knowledge exchange, and Aurora’s strategic direction leading up to the application for funding renewal in 2028.


Left to right: Janette Walde, Vice Rector for Teaching and Students at Universität Innsbruck, and Margrethe Jonkman, Aurora President and President of the Executive Board of VU Amsterdam. © Photo credit: eventfotograf.in

Margrethe was kind enough to answer a few questions about her new appointment:

What are your main priorities as the new President of Aurora in the coming year?

I am grateful to my predecessors and all the work that has been done in the past ten years. My priorities for the coming year begin with securing the extension of Aurora’s flagship programme Aurora 2030, ensuring that its next phase continues to strengthen the values that unite our alliance. With our alliance we can further strengthen our university network, building on a resilient Europe. We see significant potential for our shared work on global citizenship—building on the energy generated by the symposium at VU in May—by drawing on the diverse innovative pedagogies that already distinguish Aurora. Take community service learning, Seizmic, LOUIS, and other collaborative educational initiatives across the alliance.In addition, I would like to explore opportunities to broaden Aurora’s international engagement, including the possibility of deepening connections with partners in the Global South, to reinforce and extend our European collaborations beyond Europe. Together, these priorities reflect my ambition to shape a network that is outward‑looking, socially engaged, and globally connected.

What challenges does Aurora face in delivering on its strategic priorities for diverse education, research innovation, and societal change?

Delivering on Aurora’s strategic priorities will, however, require navigating a number of significant challenges. Geopolitical tensions continue to affect academic cooperation and mobility, while budget cuts across universities place pressure on our capacity to innovate and sustain long‑term transformation. These realities make it even more important to maintain focus on our core mission: diverse, inclusive education; fostering innovation; and driving societal change. With Aurora we need to move forward with confidence and determination.

What is your favourite memory working in an international educational setting?

One of my favourite memories goes back to my student years, when I completed an internship in India. It was an eye-opening experience because it made me realise that the way I viewed challenges and opportunities was just one perspective among many. Working and learning in a different cultural context taught me to listen more carefully, question my assumptions, and appreciate different ways of thinking. That lesson continued throughout my later global role in a corporate environment. Collaborating with colleagues from diverse cultural backgrounds was not always easy, but it consistently broadened my perspective and helped me grow, both professionally and personally.

Read more about Dr. Margrethe Jonkman here.

Aurora Annual Conference 2026 Charts Future Of European Higher Education While Celebrating A Decade Of Collaboration

Written by Aniza Pourtauborde on . Posted in News.

In May 2026, the University of Duisburg-Essen hosted the Aurora Annual Conference 2026, an international gathering of the Aurora community from its 15 universities across Europe and Canada. Gathering nearly 200 participants, the conference served as a key platform to discuss the progress of the Aurora 2030 programme while marking the ten years of cooperation within the Aurora network.


Participants from 15 Aurora universities across Europe and Canada. © Photo credit: eventfotograf.in

Over four days, academics, students, staff and stakeholders, engaged in plenary sessions, workshops, strategic meetings, and networking events designed to address some of the most pressing challenges facing higher education. Numerous exchanges focused on how universities can strengthen their societal impact, foster innovation, support student engagement, and build trust in science in an increasingly complex global environment.

Building A Future Of Trust

A central theme throughout the conference was the role of universities as trusted institutions. In the opening keynote, renowned science communicator and chemist Dr Mai Thi Nguyen-Kim addressed the challenge of communicating science in an era of information overload and declining public trust. Her presentation sparked discussions on how universities can engage more effectively with society, combat misinformation, and strengthen public confidence in research and evidence-based decision-making.

Dr Mai Thi Nguyen Kim opens with keynote of science communication
Attentive participants during the Opening Ceremony
Plenary session on Innopreneurship and Peer Review
Plenary session on Student Representation

© Photo credit: eventfotograf.in

Research and innovation, and entrepreneurship featured prominently across the programme. Sessions examined topics such as open science, digital education, international mobility, citizen engagement, and innopreneurship, highlighting ways Aurora institutions are developing new approaches to teaching, learning, and research. Students also played an active role in the conference, contributing perspectives on inclusion, mobility, and the future of students’ active involvement in European higher education.

During the conference, attendees confirmed their commitment to Aurora’s long-term vision for transforming higher education through joint educational programmes, interdisciplinary research, and learning opportunities that prepare students to tackle global challenges.

Marking Milestone Moments And Achievements

One of the highlights of the Opening Ceremony at the Aurora Annual Conference 2026 was the handover of the Aurora Presidency to Dr Margrethe Jonkman, President of the Executive Board of Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam. In her first address as Aurora President, Jonkman highlighted the importance of strong collaboration among Aurora universities in a rapidly changing international landscape and emphasised the commitment to joint education, knowledge exchange, research cooperation, and societal impact.

The opening also featured the seizmic Awards 2025, an initiative that rewards students’ engagement for societal impact through their social entrepreneurship and innovation projects. This year, Project SavEat took the grand prize and was lauded for its practical solution to food waste in Naples, Italy.

Handover of the Aurora Presidency to Margrethe Jonkmann, VU Amsterdam
Project SavEat team, seizmic Awards 2025 Winner
Celebrating 10 years of collaboration in Aurora
Aurora Communities of Practice Awards 2026

© Photo credit: eventfotograf.in

While the conference focused on future ambitions, it also provided an opportunity to reflect on Aurora’s achievements since its inception in 2016. Over the past decade, Aurora has grown into a global network of universities committed to matching academic excellence with societal impact, and doing this through international collaboration and community engagement. The Aurora community looked back on ten years of joint projects, student exchanges, research partnerships, and institutional cooperation that have strengthened connections between member universities.

The conference was also an opportunity to recognise and formalise the work of Aurora Communities of Practice (CoP). During the closing ceremony, three CoPs were voted as laureates for the first-ever Aurora CoP Awards: South-South and Triangular Cooperation on Food Systems and Climate Change (SSTC- FSCC), Peace in Practice Across Universities, and Permahaven Research Group (PRG). 

The Aurora Annual Conference 2026 further emphasised that the achievements of Aurora’s first decade provided a foundation for the next phase of development. By combining reflection on ten years of progress with a clear focus on future goals, the conference showed how European university alliances can help shape a more connected, inclusive, and resilient higher education landscape.

From Ambition To Practice: Aurora At The EARMA Conference 2026

Written by Niels Hexspoor on . Posted in News.

From 5 to 7 May 2026, Marie Jadrníčková, Aurora Research Officer at Palacký University Olomouc (UP), represented Aurora at the EARMA Conference 2026 in Utrecht, The Netherlands. Together with colleagues from the EDUC and SEA-EU European university alliances, she participated in a panel discussion on behalf of the EARMA Thematic Group on the European Universities Initiative.


Aurora representatives at EARMA Conference 2026: Sedef Iskit (VU Amsterdam), Marie Jadrníčková (Palacký University Olomouc) and Svandis Halldórsdóttir (University of Iceland)

Bridging Ambition And Everyday Practice 

During the panel session, Marie delivered a presentation titled “From Ambition to Practice: How Alliances Shape Universities”. She raised the key question of how European university alliances can become an integral part of long-term institutional strategies and development. The discussion that followed focused on the challenge of translating European-level ambitions into meaningful institutional change.

While governance structures and legal frameworks often dominate discussions on European university alliances, the session also explored how these initiatives are implemented in practice and how they influence the day-to-day functioning of universities.

Research managers and professional staff play a crucial role in connecting policy and practice. They help translate alliance objectives into concrete processes, align stakeholders, and support the integration of new structures into institutional environments. The discussion also addressed challenges such as ensuring continuity beyond project-based funding, retaining skilled staff, and managing financial uncertainty.

Integrating Research And Innovation In Erasmus+ Projects 

In addition to the conference, Marie also contributed to a webinar hosted by the EARMA European Universities Initiative Thematic Group. The webinar, titled “Integrating the R&I Agenda in Erasmus+ Projects”, brought together more than 100 participants from across Europe to exchange perspectives on the research and innovation landscape within European university alliances and on the role of Erasmus+ funding in this context.
 
Moderated by Ladislav Cocek from EDUC, the webinar featured Marie alongside Nina Shiel from CHARM-EU. Together, they shared practical insights into how institutions can better connect research and education within Erasmus+ frameworks and make use of funding synergies to strengthen research capacity. The webinar highlighted the importance of more integrated approaches within European university alliances, particularly at the intersection of research and education.

As European university alliances continue to evolve, the role of research managers remains central to embedding alliances within institutions and supporting their long-term implementation in practice. Aurora’s engagement in platforms such as EARMA contributes to the exchange of practical experience, supports discussions on how alliances function in everyday academic environments, and helps strengthen their long-term sustainability.

Aurora Communication and Dissemination Team Explores Brand Storytelling Through Merchandising Strategies

Written by Aniza Pourtauborde on . Posted in News.

From 3 to 5 March 2026, Palacký University Olomouc (UP) hosted the annual Aurora Trusted Local Communicators (TLC) Workshop, bringing together communication representatives from across Aurora universities. Over two days, participants explored how brand storytelling can be shaped through visual communication and merchandising strategies.


Aurora Communication and Dissemination team during the Aurora TLC Workshop 2026

The workshop was part of Aurora 2030 Work Package 10 on Impact and Dissemination, particularly Task 10.1 on Communication and Dissemination. It provided an understanding of the different ways that universities can adopt storytelling strategies that communicate vision, values and impact to their target audiences.

Institutional Strategy as a Foundation

The programme opened with a welcome by UP Vice-Rector for International Relations Ivona Barešová, who highlighted the importance of collaboration in shaping strong and lasting institutional narratives.

This was followed by a presentation from Matěj Dostálek, UP Vice-Rector for Communication and Social Responsibility. Emphasising on the maxim of being “regionally rooted, globally connected”, Dostálek revealed “UP to the Future”, a ten-year strategic framework leading the development of the university in the context of future challenges. Based on the values of responsability, sustainability and resilience, this framework aims to build the university of the future as a space of trust, an actor of public responsability, and a European institution in both its values and action.

Left to right: Ivona Barešová (UP Vice-Rector for International Relations), Selma Porobic (Aurora Institutional Coordinator at UP), Matěj Dostálek (UP Vice-Rector for Communication and Social Responsibility) and Vendula Lužná, Science Communicator

Storytelling in Practice

Communication being the driver of change, UP representatives demonstrated how storytelling is applied across communication activities:

Vendula Lužná, Science Communicator
“Science is not finished until it is communicated.” Lužná pointed to the university’s role in building trust by connecting scientific research with real-world issues through active scientist engagement. UP is able to connect topics of interest to real societal issues such as mental health, healthy aging, and digital technologies.

Ondřej Martínek, Head of Marketing and University Events
“We define and sell the values of the university.” Martínek outlined UP’s strategy of building a “love brand” and promoting Olomouc as a student-friendly city, supported by strong marketing tools such as social media, video, a mobile app, merchandising, and a student ambassador programme.

Michael Kozák, Marketing and Events Specialist
“University storytellers.” Through a series of beautiful photographs, Kozák presented the UP Student Ambassador programme, highlighting students’ key role in peer-to-peer communication and community building through events such as roadshows, education fairs, and festivals.

Vojtěch Kmenta, Photographer and Social Media Manager
“Stories connect, emotion drives engagement.” Building on five content pillars, Kmenta demonstrated how UP uses Instagram to create an emotional gateway to the university through visually driven storytelling.

Sustainable Merchandising as Storytelling

Sustainability is one of the core values at UP, reflected in its merchandising. Marie Hanušová, UPoint Shop Manager, presented the principles behind UP’s official merchandise store in Olomouc city:

  • A clear framework for evaluating sustainable materials and suppliers
  • Practical design and production strategies
  • Tools for communicating sustainability authentically.

Marie Hanušová, UPoint Shop Manager, presented the principles behind UP’s sustainable merchandising strategy

“Sustainable merchandise is not a cost. It’s a statement of values,” says Hanušová. “When done well, sustainable merchandise builds emotional connection, extends brand reach, and positions your institution as a leader – not a follower – in the values economy.”

Each product’s story adds value, builds trust, and invites customers to be active participants of something good beyond just being regular buyers. The session offered practical guidance for more impactful merchandising choices in future Aurora activities.

From Ideas to Practice

Participants then applied these insights in two interactive workshops focused on Aurora’s upcoming participation at the EAIE 2026 conference in Glasgow. Discussions explored:

  • Visual concepts for the Aurora exhibition booth
  • Ideas for sustainable and engaging merchandise.

Working in groups, participants first developed creative concepts without limitations and then refined them under specific constraints, encouraging both innovation and strategic thinking.

Brainstorming visual design and merchandising strategies for the Aurora booth at the EAIE 2026

The Aurora TLC Workshop 2026 on Brand Storytelling through Merchandising Strategies provided a clear and practical overview of how storytelling, design, and sustainability can work together to strengthen institutional communication and enhance the Aurora brand.

Aurora Micro-credential Coordination Committee (Aurora-MCC) Moves from Framework to Implementation

Written by Aniza Pourtauborde on . Posted in News.

The Aurora Micro-Credential Coordination Committee (Aurora-MCC) formally constituted itself in November 2025, marking an important step in translating the Aurora Guidelines for Setting Up Micro-Credentials into coordinated practice across Aurora.

Participants at the second Aurora-MCC meeting. Photo credit: Aurora-MCC, Raab 

The constitutive meeting chaired by Christina Raab from Universität Innsbruck, confirmed the committee’s mandate, composition, and operational arrangements. With this, the Aurora-MCC was established as a permanent, cross-institutional coordination body focused on facilitation, peer learning, and ecosystem-building rather than quality control.

Moving from Framework to Implementation

The committee’s work builds directly on the Aurora Guidelines for Setting Up Micro-credentials, published in 2025 as a living document aligned with the European Council Recommendation on a European approach to micro-credentials. These Aurora guidelines provide a shared European framework for the quality-assured design, implementation, recognition, and visibility of Aurora micro-credentials, while fully respecting institutional autonomy and national regulatory contexts. The Aurora-MCC ensures continuity between this strategic framework and its operational interpretation across Aurora.

At its second meeting in January 2026, conducted online, the Aurora-MCC discussed a proof of concept for the implementation of jointly offered Aurora micro-credentials. The discussion addressed overarching principles and workflows, including coordinated academic collaboration, issuing arrangements and digital and administrative processes. The proof-of-concept discussion served as a structured test case to explore how the Aurora guidelines can be applied in practice and how joint Aurora micro-credentials could be implemented in a scalable and interoperable manner.

The Aurora-MCC currently works predominantly in an online format, enabling regular monthly meetings and continuous exchange. Through its ongoing activities, the Aurora-MCC is actively advancing the implementation phase of the Aurora guidelines, contributing to the development of a trusted, interoperable, and future-oriented micro-credential ecosystem within the Aurora.

For questions related to the work of the Aurora-MCC, the committee can be contacted via aurora-courses@uibk.ac.at

A Broader Mind event at VU Amsterdam

Written by Sharon Feijen on . Posted in News.

On 15 October 2025, educators and academic leaders from across Aurora gathered at VU Amsterdam to explore an innovative approach to interdisciplinary education: the A Broader Mind Course. Organised by the Digital Society and Global Citizenship Hub, the event offered Aurora partners a unique opportunity to experience first-hand how VU Amsterdam prepares students to engage with complex societal challenges through cross-disciplinary thinking.
Developed by Prof. Govert Buis, the A Broader Mind Course challenges early-stage students to look beyond their primary discipline, guided by more advanced peers. Through diverse academic perspectives, students develop a holistic understanding of pressing societal issues: a mindset they carry throughout their academic journey.

From Concept to Collaboration

The day brought together teachers, students, educational advisors, researchers, policy staff, and programme directors to dive deep into the A Broader Mind methodology. Prof. Buis introduced the course’s pedagogical foundations, followed by a hands-on session where participants engaged with a concrete course assignment, experiencing the interdisciplinary approach from a student’s perspective.
The heart of the event was dedicated to ideation: working groups explored how A Broader Mind could evolve into a true Aurora-wide initiative. Participants discussed various implementation models: from flex mobility arrangements and local course variants to student exchange opportunities and joint programme development across partner institutions.

Building a Broader European Education

The event concluded with plenary feedback sessions where groups shared their visions for bringing A Broader Mind to their own universities, creating a roadmap for follow-up collaboration.
The A Broader Mind Event demonstrated how peer-guided interdisciplinary learning can make teaching more engaging, curricula more relevant, and institutional societal impact more profound. It marked an important step in the Aurora community’s shared mission to transform higher education across Europe, preparing students not just for their chosen fields, but for the complex, interconnected challenges of our time.

Aurora Showcased at CEEDUCON Conference in Prague

Written by Niels Hexspoor on . Posted in News.

On 19 and 20 November 2025, Palacký University Olomouc (UP) represented Aurora at CEEDUCON 2025, one of Central Europe’s leading conferences on the internationalisation of higher education. The seventh edition of the event, formerly known as CZEDUCON, brought more than 900 participants to Prague’s O2 Universum.  Over the course of two days, they participated in expert lectures, interactive sessions, and exchange among practitioners and policy makers.

The Czech National Agency for International Education and Research organised CEEDUCON, together with several other central European Agencies such as DAAD and OEAD. It serves as a key platform for advancing dialogue on global engagement in higher education. This year’s programme featured over 50 sessions and focused on themes central to Aurora’s mission. These included Internationalisation for All, strategic Global & Regional partnerships, Smart & Sustainable International Cooperation, and Alumni, Employability & Future Skills.

Representatives of Palacký University Olomouc participated in discussions, panels, and workshops. They shared their institutional experience and achievements, contributing Aurora’s perspective to the broader European conversation on higher-education cooperation.

Strengthening Stakeholder Engagement

The UP Aurora Office prominently highlighted Aurora in two sessions, also featuring Aurora associate partner Pavol Jozef Šafárik University in Košice (UPJS).

Selma Porobić, Aurora Institutional Coordinator at UP, chaired a panel “Advancing Strategic Global & Regional Partnerships: Insights and Lessons from European University Alliances”. It featured contributions from Silvia Ručinská (UPJS), as well as Magdalena Sikorska (EUNICE Alliance) and John Gardiner (Ulysseus Alliance). The discussion drew on experiences from the FOREU4ALL Topical Group – Internationalisation and Global Outreach, chaired by Selma, Magda and John.   

The panel featured three concrete case studies of best practices:

  • Aurora  – a regional cooperation model focused on structured outreach and capacity-building in the CEE region;
  • Ulysseus – showcasing global strategic programmes and multi-continent partnerships;
  • EUNICE – presenting global gateway initiatives and innovative formats for inclusive stakeholder collaborations.

Additionally, Niels Hexspoor, Aurora Engagement and Impact Leader at UP, led an interactive workshop that explored how European university alliances can create inclusive and future-proof student communities in “Next Gen Student Communities: Futures Thinking for European Universities”. In the workshop, participants were challenged to imagine different possibilities for inclusive student engagement.

UP’s active presence at CEEDUCON 2025 was a great opportunity to demonstrate Aurora’s commitment sharing and learning with other higher education professionals to shape the future of European higher education—foregrounding openness, inclusivity, and strategic partnership building as shared priorities across Europe.

Building the Future of Flexible Learning: Aurora’s Shared Approach to Micro-credentials

Written by UIBK on . Posted in News.

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.

The alliance’s decision to develop shared guidelines stems from the need to remove structural and technical barriers, align institutional practices, and ensure that learners can benefit from high-quality, jointly recognised opportunities – regardless of where they begin their studies.

These guidelines fully align with the 2022 Council Recommendation on a European approach to micro-credentials, as well as the principles of the European Qualification Framework (EQF), National Qualifications Frameworks, and the European Standards and Guidelines for Quality Assurance (ESG).

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
  • Levels of Aurorisation: Micro-credentials must reach at least Level 2 – meaning they are aligned with an Aurora Educational Hub, an SDG, and at least one key competence, ensuring a clear connection to Aurora’s mission and pedagogical standards.

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.