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Professor Florian Freitag receives 2023 UDE Teaching Award

Written by Anna Klas on . Posted in News.

A highly contagious passion for his topics, high-quality lecture slides which engage students, clearly formulated learning outcomes, and topicality with respect to content are just a few reasons why the University of Duisburg Essen (UDE) student council nominated American Studies professor Florian Freitag for the 2023 UDE Teaching Award. The award was presented to him at the Dies Academicus in May.

UDE students praised Freitag‘s interdisciplinary and intercultural approach to teaching, which included collaborations with fellow students from the Aurora University partner Universitat Rovira i Virgili in Catalonia via the COIL (Cooperative Online International Learning) format.

“The nomination itself was a special honour since it came from the ranks of the students,” says Freitag, who has been teaching at the UDE since 2019. “And when not only ‘my’ students, but also my colleague Prof. Dr Barbara Buchenau spoke a few words during the laudatory speech, I was ready to cry. The award motivates me to continue to develop new tools and formats within Aurora.”

Along with this prestigious honour comes an award of 10,000 Euros. Freitag plans to establish a social fund to enable Master’s students in Anglophone Studies with a specialization in American Studies to take part in excursions to North America. In collaboration with colleagues from the University of Innsbruck in Austria, Freitag is also developing a “Survey of Canadian Literature” with instructional videos involving North American colleagues.

“Challenges in Europe” student conference in Amsterdam

Written by Anna Klas on . Posted in News.

From June 7-9, 2023, the Aurora Pilot Domain “Culture: Identities and Diversities” collaborated with Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam to host the inaugural “Challenges in Europe” student conference in Amsterdam. The Student Conference marked the culmination of the hybrid course, which is an integral component of the Understanding Europe module.

Since April, students from various Aurora universities participated in the online course, forming four distinct groups. Each group, led by a professor from an Aurora member university, concentrated on a specific challenge in Europe” connected to a particular Sustainable Development Goal:

  • “Religious Heritage: Claims and Contestations” (taught by Irene Stengs, VU);
  • “Place Attachment in Mobile Europe” (Ólafur Rastrick and Guðmundur Hálfdanarson, UIce);
  • “Sustainable Tourism” (Florian Freitag, UDE); and
  • “Sustainable Language Education and Critical Pedagogy” (Marián Arribas-Tomé, UEA; Ulrike Jessner-Schmid, UIBK; and Spyros Themelis, UEA).

Throughout the online phase, students designed research projects centred on these themes, with topics ranging from “Community-based Tourism in Tyrol” and “The Future of Summit Crosses” to “Place Attachment in Boarding Schools” and “How Can We Teach about Colonisation?” The conference served as a platform for participants to present and engage in discussions about their research with fellow students and instructors from six Aurora universities, spanning various disciplines and countries. Moreover, students had the opportunity to discover the picturesque city of Amsterdam and the state-of-the-art facilities at VU Amsterdam.

Students particularly enjoyed meeting and discussing with their peers during the conference: “I found the conference in Amsterdam absolutely perfect. It was brilliantly devised,” one student wrote in her class evaluation. Co-organizer Florian Freitag thought the conference was an extremely rewarding experience: “Witnessing the enthusiasm and dedication of the students in attendance, their eagerness to learn, ask insightful questions, and contribute their perspectives was genuinely inspiring.” His colleague and co-organizer Guðmundur Hálfdanarson agrees: “The student conference was an extraordinary event that enriched the students’ academic experience and fueled my passion for teaching and research in my field. I am confident that the knowledge on place attachment in Europe and connections gained during the conference will have a lasting impact on the student’s academic and professional trajectories, and I wholeheartedly recommend this event to my fellow educators and students alike.”

The Understanding Europe initiative will continue in Fall 2023 with “Perspectives on Europe in a Global Context.” The “Challenges in Europe” course will return in the Summer of 2024.

Advancing Research Management in European Universities Alliances: Insights from the Aurora Universities Network

Written by Anna Klas on . Posted in News.

The recent workshop organised by the CIVICA European Universities Alliance brought together various European Universities Alliances and associations, including TORCH, EUt+, 4EU+, UNA Europa, Unite!, FIT FORTHEM, SEA-EU, ECIU, and the Aurora Universities Network, to explore research management practices within European Alliances. With a focus on understanding the development, implementation, and challenges encountered in research management at the alliance level, the workshop aimed to provide valuable insights and suggestions for improvement.

Context
The workshop took place in the context of ERA Action 17, a European Research Area policy action co-led by the Aurora Universities Network, which aims to strengthen the research support capacity in public research organisations. Some of the key findings of the workshop include:
Collaborative research support offices have proven to be highly beneficial for some alliances, as they offer valuable services such as training for research management, support staff, and early career researchers. Additionally, they provide an interoperable digital platform with local databases, primarily focusing on publications. While not all alliances have been able to establish joint research support offices, they are actively working on strengthening their research support activities and collaborations.

Most alliances have made a concerted effort to engage the broader research community of research support and management administrators (RSMA), including grants advice, knowledge transfer, open science, data stewardship, science communication, and research policy advice. However, there are still obstacles to overcome in the pursuit of a common research agenda. These challenges include late engagement of research support and management staff in proposal writing, different types of organisations involved in research support, varying resource allocations, and a lack of incentives for participation.

To address these challenges and improve the research support landscape, several recommendations can be made:

  • Early engagement of researchers, particularly early career researchers, should be emphasized in research management activities.
  • Co-creation principles should be adopted when developing research management activities to foster collaboration and inclusivity.
  • High-level university management should limit their involvement in the operational details of development and implementation, allowing research support professionals to take the lead.
  • Incentives, dedicated time, and adequate resources should be provided for researchers to participate in research support and management activities within alliances.
  • Awareness at all levels within universities about the roles and functions of research managers and research support and administration officers should be enhanced.

By implementing these recommendations, alliances can work together to create a more efficient and effective research support environment, ultimately benefiting the entire research community.

Vision for the Future
The workshop concluded with an inspiring vision for the future of research support and management activities in alliances. Pim de Boer, the EU Liaison representative from the Aurora Universities Network, shared an encompassing presentation that addressed many of the discussed aspects, highlighting the collective goals and aspirations of the participating alliances.

By fostering collaboration, early engagement, and effective resource allocation, European Universities Alliances have the potential to test and enhance research management practices and drive meaningful advancements in research support within the European higher education landscape.

The Aurora Student Advocate Open Badges Initiative at University Federico II of Naples

Written by Anna Klas on . Posted in News.

In a pioneering initiative, the University Federico II of Naples (Unina) has recognised eight Aurora Student Advocates for their active participation in various learning activities by awarding them Open Badges. These students have effectively utilised the Open Badge system to showcase their skills and experiences within the Aurora network, demonstrating the value of collaborative learning with an international and diverse group of peers and educators.

Open Badges: Enhancing Knowledge Exchange and Relationship Building

Through active involvement in workshops, group discussions, collaborative sessions, and interactive laboratories, these Aurora Student Advocates have facilitated a vibrant exchange of knowledge. One student shared, “The activities offered fresh perspectives and fostered mutual learning. They also helped me build valuable relationships with other students and lecturers, enriching my learning experience.”

Experienced researchers and professors within the Aurora network enhanced this experience by sharing their insights, leading to a rich and comprehensive learning environment. Another student highlighted the benefits of networking within Aurora, stating, “Establishing relationships with other students and faculty was instrumental in acquiring new ways of learning and knowledge.”

Student Advocates Embrace Cultural Diversity

The Aurora programme allows students to interact with diverse cultures, fostering an appreciation of their shared philosophies despite their differences. Reflecting on this, one student said, “Working with an Austrian, a German, and a Spaniard, we engaged in meaningful conversations that transcended cultural boundaries.”

Moreover, the language practice and personal growth opportunities offered by the programme were equally appreciated. A student noted, “We are not used to speaking English regularly in Italy. I am glad I got to practice it with other Aurora students, understand another university’s climate, and create spaces for my personal growth.”

The Aurora experience at the University Federico II of Naples included participation in the “Innovation Village,” a scientific-technological event emphasising research significance. This event fostered collaboration among local and international students, facilitating a dynamic exchange of ideas and knowledge. Students reported that Aurora significantly enhanced their soft skills, such as organisation, planning, and collaboration, contributing to their overall learning experience.

Open Badges: Certifying Skills and Accomplishments

Open Badges are digital credentials representing students’ skills, providing international recognition and adding value to their extracurricular, research, and cooperative activities. They certify a specific competence acquired by the recipient, allowing students to communicate their learning experiences, methods, and outcomes concisely.

Aurora Student Advocates who earn Open Badges demonstrate:
• Collaboration with a student from another institution.
• Active engagement in an Aurora working group.
• Authorship of a reflective paper discussing their student experience in Aurora.
With Open Badges, students can effectively highlight their skills and accomplishments in today’s digital age, distinguishing themselves in the competitive academic and professional landscape.

UNINA has awarded 8 Aurora Student Advocate Open Badges, with two more in the pipeline.

UNINA celebrates the achievements of these pioneering students! Ad Maiora!!!

Meet Markéta Šemberová, Education Coordinator at Palacký University Olomouc

Written by Niels Hexspoor on . Posted in News.

Markéta Šemberová shared her background, her passion for education and intercultural competences, and her journey studying philology in the Netherlands as a master’s student to obtaining her PhD, which focuses on strengthening intercultural competences in university teachers. She also expanded on her role and responsibilities as Education Coordinator, highlighting her work in supporting education-related activities at Palacký University Olomouc and collaboration with partner universities. Read on for the full interview.

Could you tell us something about yourself?

Markéta: My name is Markéta Šemberová. In January 2023, I started my new role as Aurora Education Coordinator at Palacký University Olomouc. My interest in education, intercultural competencies, and didactics began during my master’s studies in Dutch philology, where I completed a two-year add-on course in education. From there onwards, I pursued postgraduate studies in education and even completed my PhD thesis on developing a model of intercultural competencies for university teachers in the Czech Republic. Before joining the Aurora team, I was a project manager for lifelong learning infrastructure at Palacký University Olomouc. I also continue working as a multicultural and intercultural lecturer, teach preparatory courses for obtaining a language certificate in Dutch, and supervise bachelor and master thesis students.

Could you share something about your role as Education Coordinator?

M: As Education Coordinator, my main task is to support any education-related activities at Palacký University. Therefore, I mainly support the Vice-Rector for Education, local WP3 members, and the Aurorisation processes at Palacký University. In collaboration with our Centre for Excellence in Teaching, I help to prepare, plan and organise courses for academics and staff on developing their competences, such as LOUIS and BEVI training. Together with our Mobility Coordinator, we work on the methodologies of our internal processes for ECTS recognition and accreditation procedures connected to Aurora. I also support joint activities and project proposals between Palacký University Olomouc and our partner universities and engage in internal communications at the university by disseminating Aurora opportunities to staff and students.

There are many developments in the field of Aurora Education Development and Coordination. Could you share some of them?

M: Thanks to my talks with the Educational Developer at the Aurora Central Office in Amsterdam, it was possible to connect with educational developers from other institutions. We established a temporary support group that connects people who work with education at their institution. Recently, we have discussed the quality of the courses offered within the Aurora course catalogue, accreditation processes and obstacles with ECTS recognition. This group is a preparatory group for a future work package 2.5, and we will be more than happy to welcome anyone interested in joining our conversations.

Could you tell us a bit more about the increased role of education developers in the following Aurora proposal?

M: Each institution seems to struggle with different aspects internally, which is logical thanks to different legislation in each country. What could be a problem for Palacký University Olomouc does not necessarily have to be an issue for another partner university. Creating a work package that connects all the educational developers in the next phase enables us to get inspired in solving obstacles, removing barriers, and supporting the full potential of activities that Aurora offers. In the next phase, I look forward to testing out new things and progress that happen at Aurora or Palacký University Olomouc internally. For example, UP is currently developing an infrastructure for micro-credential use, and I cannot wait to support them in this next phase.

Are there any other topics you are currently working on?

M: With Kees Kouwenaar retiring in autumn 2023 and LOUIS being transitioned to Vice-Dean Maxim Tomoszek, I supported this transition and LOUIS at UP. The most recent update is, for example, our plan to organise a series of workshops on LOUIS in autumn 2023 that will be a joint initiative between UP and UDE.

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

Written by UIBK on . Posted in News.

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.

 

 

Aurora thanks former Vice-Chancellor of UEA, Professor David Richardson

Written by Anna Klas on . Posted in News.

The Aurora community would like to express our gratitude and appreciation to one of the founding fathers of the Aurora Network, Professor David Richardson. Professor Richardson has been a pillar of the Aurora community and has played a vital role in the development of the Aurora Universities Network since its creation in 2016. Although he stepped down two weeks ago as Vice-Chancellor of the University of East Anglia, and therefore no longer represents his institution as a Board member of Aurora, his legacy and impact on Aurora remains strong beyond his tenure.

Professor Richardson has an impressive Aurora record of service. The University of East Anglia (UEA), under Professor Richardson’s leadership, was one of the founding institutional members of the network. He was also the Chair of the Aurora Board for four years from 2016-2020, and was recently re-elected again in 2022, serving as Board Treasurer. His belief in the added value of Aurora never wavered, including during the challenging period leading up to Brexit and the resulting changes this meant for higher education in the UK in the area of international cooperation and mobility. Despite these challenges, UEA remains committed  to the Aurora Alliance as an Associate Partner in the new funding bid for the Erasmus+ European Universities Initiative.

“It has been a pleasure to work with David Richardson ever since we first started discussing establishing a new university network in 2016,” Aurora President Jón Atli Benediktsson states. “The Aurora Network thrived under his leadership and dedication. David was a strong supporter of Aurora expanding and applying to become one of the European University Alliances as he recognized the tremendous opportunities this would provide for our students, staff, and wider community.

David is a great friend and working with him has been a privilege. We very much appreciate his contribution to Aurora.”

Mirjam van Praag, President of Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, said:

“As one of the founding fathers of Aurora, David is a long-time and dear friend to us. He excelled in keeping us all on track, from the start of the Network through the phase of forming the Alliance. With him on board, the road ahead was suddenly clear for everyone, redirecting us to more productive alleys whenever we went astray, looking at issues from a new angle, and all of that he seemed to do effortlessly.”

As the Aurora community, comprised of ten research-intensive universities, continues to strengthen our international cooperative partnership, we will carry forward Professor Richardson’s legacy through our continued commitment to academic and research collaboration, innovation in teaching and learning, positive student development and transformation.

University of the Future – Pedagogical Developments in Aurora

Written by Anna Klas on . Posted in News.

AURORA is a network of European research universities working towards creating universities of the future with systematic pedagogical development and innovation to meet current societal challenges.

Aurora aims to graduate students with the competencies and mindset necessary for future generations to thrive in ever-changing communities and a dynamic labour market.  Emphasis is, furthermore, placed on students acquiring entrepreneurial and innovative skills, thus developing the mindset and drive needed to tackle the numerous societal changes the world currently faces.

Do you want to participate in the University of the future?

“The Aurora collaboration is an ambitious project that has been under development for years. The first phase of the project is been characterised by a lot of work on behalf of the universities staff; administrative and academic alike, to align processes in different institutions and find common ground for university collaboration,” says Sandra Berg Cepero, Aurora project manager at the University of Iceland’s Division of Academic Affairs and Task Team leader for Teaching for Societal Impact. Teams were formed and collaborative projects were defined. Sandra says that the next phase in the collaboration will revolve more around the substance, the actual work of creating Aurora courses, creating academic connections between the universities, and work- and pedagogical development among the teaching staff. Emphasis will also be placed on promotional material on educational vision and Aurora’s ideals. “Teaching staff is encouraged to keep abreast and can always contact me (sandra@hi.is) if they are interested in Aurora’s pedagogical development or even participate in creating Aurora courses, joint study programmes, or other exciting opportunities this collaboration entails.”

Aurora’s educational vision in teaching and learning

The collaborative platform will be digital and, first and foremost, based on a virtual campus where students and staff will have mobility in various fields in diverse forms. Teaching and learning will be executed in the platform, simplifying the design and development of joint courses and degrees in line with the Aurora ideal. To realise its ideals, Aurora has created an educational vision to follow that supports both its goals and execution.

The Aurora educational vision is based on four main pillars; the UN Sustainable Development Goals, pedagogical development, students’ competencies, and the internationalisation of study programmes, and the network universities are supposed to:

  • Tackle societal needs and challenges and find research topics across traditional academic boundaries of disciplines.
  • Implement student-centred and inclusive learning – and teaching methods
  • Strengthen students’ educational and personal competencies as well as academic ones
  • Use internationalisation in education to enhance the quality in education and student competencies

University of the future

Aurora is comprised of ten universities. Diverse institutions in design and operation see the benefits of joining forces for societal impact and making use of progress in technology to strengthen education, teaching, and research. Thus, the universities’ staff can learn about new teaching methods, participate in events abroad, attract international students to their courses, and find European collaborators in research and teaching.

The University of Iceland has been active in the network since its founding in 2016. One of its focuses has been increasing diversity in study selection and strengthening collaboration and innovation in teaching and learning. This is manifested in courses offered by some universities but open to all Aurora university students. Teaching staff at the University of Iceland has, furthermore, had the opportunity to attend Aurora workshops in pedagogical development, an important opportunity for career development. “These teaching methods and tools will provide opportunities for pedagogical development with societal changes as the driving force, using modern course design and teaching with internationalisation at the core,” concludes Sandra.

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

Written by UIBK on . Posted in Events, News.

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.

Palacký University Staff participated in the Open Science Incubator

Written by Niels Hexspoor on . Posted in News.

Tereza Motalová is the first person from within the Aurora Community to have successfully completed the Open Science Incubator organized by VU Amsterdam. Completion of this Incubator plays a crucial role in the creation and further development of Open Science communities within Aurora, and at Palacký University Olomouc in particular.

Building on the renowned Open Science expertise of the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, in the Open Science Incubator Dutch Open Science experts trained the participants in how to set up, develop and manage an Open Science community, over the course of a 12-week programme.

Based on the outcomes of the Open Science Incubator, a comprehensive Open Science Community strategy and action plan were created at UP, pioneering these developments in Czech Higher Education. This led to UP making a concrete plan towards the creation of the Open Science Community Olomouc, which aims is to generate interest form a core group of influencers and engage early career researchers and students informally, through a variety of methods.

According to Tereza, “participating in the Open Science Incubator was a great experience, which will be invaluable in developing Open Science at Palacký University. I look forward to putting everything we learned into practice!”

This development directly contributes to the completion of the activities in Aurora RI WP6, and ties into Aurora’s ambitions for the next phase and the activities of the proposes work package and Research and Open Science.