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Aurora Student Council President Simona Gibalová Represents Aurora at EUSAF 2025 Meeting

From 4 to 6 September, Aurora Student Council President Simona Gibalová from Pavol Jozef Šafárik University in Košice, represented Aurora during the EUSAF 2025 meeting at Warsaw SGH School of Economics.


EUSAF 2025 gathering of student representatives from European Universities Alliances across Europe

EUSAF (European Universities Student Ambassador Forum) meetings are all about connection and collaboration. They bring together students, alumni, and young professionals from across Europe to swap ideas, share experiences, and spark new projects. More than just formal sessions, these gatherings create a lively space for networking, learning, and building friendships that last well beyond the event.

Each European Universities alliance sends one representative to share good practices with students who may experience the same issues and create solutions to the problems that alliances may face together. By enabling students to create a unique space to exchange different perspectives, these in-person meetings are vital moments in ensuring a better collaboration on a European level.

Setting the Stage on International Student Engagement

EUSAF sessions were opened by the following engaging keynote speakers:

  • Constance Chevalier-Govers, Erasmus Project Coordinator from EUC Voices
  • Katarzyna Aleksy, Director of Higher Education Programmes Department from National Agency for the Erasmus+ and ESC Programmes
  • Malgorzara Chromy, Director of SGH International Centre.

They brought the students a professional perspective on international student engagement and how these roles function from the perspective of national agencies.

EUSAF 2025 poster pitch session and presentation

During the workshop, the first session focused on students’ journey from election to action and about what it means for student council members to represent their peers. The workshop zoomed in on the organisation of activities on a local level, and how to make such opportunities attractive for a large pool of students. They also discussed collaboration with stakeholders and how student representation can lead to meaningful partnerships.

Overall, these few days sparked many new ideas, which will continue to fruition during this year’s follow-up EUSAF meetings. Furthermore, these ideas will be brought to life through the Aurora Student Council Board.

Discovering Connection and Purpose: My Experience in the Aurora Student Council

The Aurora Student Council (ASC) is made up of two elected student representatives from each university within Aurora. Its role is to focus, and collectively decide, on priorities for the student population. The ASC ensures that the student voice is heard and integrated in decisions taken in Aurora. Paula Mora, student at Universitat Rovira i Virgili, talks about her year-long experience as Communications Officer for the ASC in the academic year 2024/2025.


Memorable moments with the Aurora Student Council

One day, I opened my inbox and came across an email about joining a student programme called the Aurora Student Council. I wasn’t entirely sure what it was about, but something in me felt drawn to it. A few days later, I found myself filling out an application form, then sitting for an interview and, just like that, I became part of something much bigger than I had imagined. At the time, I didn’t know it would lead to one of the most enriching experiences of my university life.

A Space of Possibilities

The Aurora Student Council (ASC) is a space where students from all Aurora universities come together to represent their communities, share perspectives, and work on joint initiatives to improve the student experience across the alliance. Through monthly meetings and events, students engage in real discussions about inclusion, mobility, and participation in higher education, contributing to a more connected and student-driven European university landscape.

At the beginning, everything felt new and slightly overwhelming. I was stepping into a space full of possibilities, an entire network of universities, projects, and people, but I wasn’t entirely sure how to find my place in it. However, after just a few meetings and thanks to the support of both the team at my university and the rest of the Council, I gradually found my rhythm. The sense of community made all the difference.

The Power of Dialogue and Meaningful Engagement

One of the most enriching lessons I’ve learned during my time in Aurora is the power of dialogue. There is something truly special about sitting at a table with students from different countries, fields of study, and cultural perspectives, and realising how much we can learn from one another. Every conversation opens a door to new ways of thinking, and that kind of exchange is something I’ll always carry with me.

Aurora Student Council at conferences in Palacký University Olomouc (Czech Republic) and Université Paris-Est Créteil (France)

Another key lesson has been about the value of meaningful change. With the right tools and the right environment, it is possible to create small but impactful improvements. Aurora, in this sense, is an essential tool. It connects universities in a way that allows ideas and best practices to circulate across borders. That connection creates a kind of collective intelligence, a system where solutions can be shared, tested, and improved together.

I’ve also learned the importance of clarity and communication when working in international teams. Expressing ideas, making space for others, being flexible and proactive, these are skills I’ve strengthened through my experience in the Council. Aurora gives you a space where students can take initiative and learn by doing, all the while being supported by others who care just as much as you do. At the end, student voices are powerful when they are heard, and even more powerful when they are united.

Another realisation has been how closely student engagement is tied to real-world impact. Many of my peers in Aurora are not only students, but also passionate individuals who follow politics, care about climate, education, inclusion…and who want to be part of the solutions.

Unforgettable Opportunities and Shared Moments

Of course, I’m also deeply grateful for the many travel opportunities and people I’ve met along the way. I’m fully aware that travelling is a privilege, and I feel lucky to have attended events like the Aurora conferences in Naples and Paris, and the Student Conference in Palacký University Olomouc. These are not just destinations, they’re memories shared with incredible peers. With Aurora, you don’t just discover new places, you discover them alongside ambitious and open-minded people. It’s hard to explain how many ideas we’ve exchanged around those tables, how much I’ve learned just by listening.

Shared moments with student representatives and members in the Aurora Student Council

Looking back, Aurora has been an incredible experience; one that I wholeheartedly recommend to any student. I leave with my backpack full of stories, lessons, and unforgettable moments. But more than anything, I leave with hope. Hope, because I’ve seen that there are entire generations of students across Europe committed to working for a better, more connected future.

Meet the Aurora Student Council Board 2025/26

This June, during the Aurora Open 2025 in Innsbruck, the Aurora Student Council (ASC) members came together to vote in the annual ASC Board elections. A new board has officially been elected to represent the Aurora student body for the 2025/2026 academic year! From fresh ideas for student events to stronger communication between students and staff, the newly elected council is ready to bring positive change.

For the first time a new role has been introduced in the board: the Human Resources Officer, who will be responsible for the onboarding process of new ASC members throughout the academic year.

Curious who’s leading the way this year? Meet the new Aurora Student Council board — full of energy, ideas, and spirit!

Simona Gibalová (4th year General Medicine student at Pavol Jozef Šafárik University in Košice) as President, will be at the forefront of the student council for the upcoming year. Using her extensive experience working within ASC in the past few years, from collaboration on creating the Aurora Students’ Rights Charter to representing Aurora in the European Student Union, she will be bringing a unique perspective of an associated university to the ASC board for the first time. Her vision for this year involves deepening the student collaboration on a local but also European level, improving the Aurora Student Ambassador programme and bringing forward the needs of students from associated universities. She believes that the ASC is a unique opportunity for every student involved to gain new, outside-of-classroom knowledge, share good practices and gain growth on both personal and professional levels.

 

 

 

Eliška Karasová (MA student at Palacký University Olomouc) will take on the role of Vice-President with a focus on ensuring smooth collaboration and communication across the Aurora Student Council. She is passionate about a new ambassador model that values quality over quantity and is dedicated to promoting equal opportunities for all Aurora members. She deeply appreciates the system that has already been established and aims to ensure that every member has the chance to fully engage and benefit from all that Aurora has to offer. For her, the ASC is also a unique space to experience and celebrate cultural diversity.

 

 

 

 

Kristýna Raimerová (MA Student at Palacký University Olomouc) as Secretary General, will be responsible for ensuring the smooth and efficient functioning of the ASC, with a strong focus on organisation, documentation, and internal coordination. Known for her detail-oriented approach and reliability, she plays a key role in maintaining accurate records, managing council schedules, and keeping members up to date with the latest developments and decisions affecting the Council and the wider Aurora network. Committed to transparency and effective communication, the Secretary General ensures that the Council’s work is well-documented and accessible to both its members and the broader student community.

 

 

 

 

Benedetta Toledo (PhD Student at Università Federico II of Naples), as Communication Officer, will be responsible for promoting the work and initiatives of the ASC across various platforms, ensuring that students from across Europe stay informed, connected, and engaged. She has previous experiences as UX & UI Designer and Social Media Manager. She believes the ASC is a special space for meaningful dialogue, mutual learning, and personal growth. Her role also involves increasing awareness of the Aurora network and encouraging more students to take part in its diverse opportunities. In doing so, the Council continues to promote an inclusive and dynamic environment where student voices are empowered and valued.

 

 

 

 

Alexandra Valsan (Law student at Universitat Rovira i Virgili) will serve as Human Resources Officer on the ASC Board for the upcoming year. With a strong interest in inclusion, team dynamics, and internal cohesion, she brings a people-centered approach to her role. Alexandra has previously been involved in student engagement activities at her home university and now looks forward to contributing to the ASC’s internal development and support structures. Her priorities this year include ensuring a smooth onboarding process for new members, promoting transparent and effective communication within the Council, and creating a safe and welcoming environment where every student feels empowered to contribute. She also aims to strengthen the sense of belonging among ASC members through well-being initiatives and team-building efforts. 

Congratulations to the newly elected team!
Stay connected with the Aurora Student Council.

UDE Aurora Community Meet-Up

On July 7, 2025, members of the Aurora UDE Community came together for an informal meet-up to connect, exchange ideas, and welcome new faces. Colleagues from various Aurora work packages based at the University of Duisburg-Essen (UDE), as well as several Aurora student ambassadors, took the opportunity to share insights about their work and their experiences, and learn more about each other’s activities within the Aurora network. The gathering provided an open space for networking, questions, and inspiration, particularly for newcomers interested in contributing to Aurora’s mission of combining academic excellence with societal impact.

Thank you to everyone who joined and made the exchange so enriching. The Aurora Community at the UDE looks forward to continuing these conversations and strengthening connections across disciplines and departments

For further inquiries about the UDE Aurora Community, please contact the Aurora Alliance Office here.

Aurora Student Council: Empowering Student Leadership Across Europe

The Aurora Student Council (ASC) is the representative body of students within Aurora, bringing together voices from all partner universities to ensure student perspectives remain at the heart of Aurora’s strategic direction. Through monthly meetings and continuous collaboration, the Council enables students to engage in joint discussions, share experiences, and contribute actively to Aurora’s development as a European university alliance.


Aurora Student Council at the Aurora Annual Conference 2025 in Paris

As part of this ongoing work, the ASC met in-person during the Aurora Annual Conference, hosted by Université Paris-Est Créteil (UPEC) in May 2025 in Paris. The meeting served as a space to review progress, exchange ideas, and continue working on several key initiatives.

Strengthening European Collaboration: Aurora and the ESU Candidacy

One of the main points discussed was Aurora’s potential candidacy to become a member of the European Students’ Union (ESU), an umbrella organisation representing over 20 million students across Europe. Membership in the ESU would allow Aurora to increase its visibility within the broader network of European university alliances, foster collaboration on shared student issues, and take an active role in shaping policies relevant to higher education at the European level.

Aurora Students’ Rights Charter: Establishing Shared Standards

The central focus of the Paris meeting was the development of the Aurora Students’ Rights Charter (ASRC). This charter is the result of joint work by the ASC to define the fundamental rights students believe should be respected across all Aurora universities. Once adopted, the ASRC will serve as a reference document, an example of shared commitment that universities can uphold to ensure transparency, protection, and student empowerment throughout the alliance.

Supporting International Students: Exchanging Best Practices

Building on the year’s strategic focus on the integration of international students, the ASC revisited a previous proposal to collect and share examples of best practices related to student mentoring, buddy programmes, and welcoming systems. During the Paris meeting, students presented their contributions and discussed initiatives currently in place. One recurring topic was the implementation of buddy programmes, with several universities already recognising student participation in these initiatives with ECTS credits, an approach that highlights the value of peer support and community building.

Aurora Student Council members working on the initial proposal for the Aurora Students’ Rights Charter

Preparing the Next Elections: Ensuring Fair Representation

The ASC also discussed the timeline for the upcoming elections of the Student Board, which consists of the positions of President, Vice-President, Secretary, and Communications Officer. This year, these roles were held by Mathilde Chaumont, Sören Daehn, Andréa Gaucher and Paula Mora, respectively.

As in previous years, a democratic voting process will be held to select new representatives for the upcoming academic year, ensuring continuity and fair representation for all students within Aurora.

Reflections and Local Reports

Each university delegation was invited to share a brief report on their activities over the past academic year. These reflections highlighted achievements at the local level while also identifying areas for improvement. The exchange allowed students to learn from one another and helped the Council assess its collective progress in key areas of student engagement and communication.

Student Representation in the Plenary Session

As part of the conference programme, Student Council members also participated in a plenary session on the topic: Empowering Voices: Advocating for Students’ Rights Across Europe”, followed by a round-table discussion on The University of Tomorrow”. These sessions provided a valuable opportunity for students to present their perspectives to the wider Aurora community and receive constructive feedback from academic and institutional stakeholders.

The discussion focused on the potential impact of the Aurora Students’ Rights Charter, the challenges encountered during its development, and the varying national contexts that shape student experiences across Europe. Participants also explored future avenues for cooperation with student organisations from other European alliances, underlining the importance of building stronger links at both the international and local levels. Strengthening these connections is seen as a key step toward sharing good practices and amplifying student engagement within and beyond Aurora.

Left to right: Mathilde Chaumont (UPEC), Simon Westhoff (VU Amsterdam), Sören Daehn (Copenhagen Business School) and Simona Gibalová (Pavol Jozef Šafárik University in Košice)

The Aurora Annual Conference in Paris was both productive and dynamic. In addition to advancing shared goals, students enjoyed moments of connection, informal conversation, and laughter. After all, when students from different fields, ages, and countries come together around the same table: just imagine the conversations that can spark.

First-Ever Aurora Open a Smashing Success

The Aurora Open 2025 made its debut this year, bringing together volleyball, and international student community-building. Hosted by Universität Innsbruck (UIBK) in collaboration with the Universitäts-Sportinstitut Innsbruck (USI) and Palacký University Olomouc, the event marked the beginning of what will hopefully become a valued tradition within Aurora.

A Vibrant Start

Aurora students from across Europe came together in Innsbruck for an unforgettable combination of academic engagement, sport, and cultural exchange. The event began with a relaxed and welcoming evening by the lake, offering students the chance to connect informally before the official start.

The following morning featured interactive sessions at UIBK, featuring exchanges between the Aurora Student Council. The conference continued at the USI Sports Campus with a keynote lecture on Health & Well-Being: The Role of Sports & Mental Health, exploring the vital connection between physical activity and mental resilience in student life.

In the evening, participants joined the UIBK Summer Festival, a yearly celebration with live music, food trucks, games, and plenty of opportunities to meet, network, and enjoy the summer atmosphere.

   
Students from Aurora universities experienced formal and informal opportunities of learning and intercultural exchange

Sport, Collaboration, and International Spirit

On 27 and 28 June, the Aurora Open continued with two full days of Beach Volleyball Tournaments, offering an exciting and active component to the programme. Alongside the matches, students also took part in the Peer Learning Activity entitled Together We Learn, Together We Rise”, facilitated by the Aurora Student Council. The session highlighted Aurora’s philosophy of peer learning as a tool for international community building.

The tournament itself was designed to celebrate Aurora’s dedication to Health & Wellbeing and fosters teamwork and international engagement. Students competed with great spirit and sportsmanship, forming connections that extended well beyond the games.

The tournament featured teams from five Aurora universities:

Evenings were dedicated to the social programme, including a relaxed burger party where students and organizers came together to celebrate the end of the academic year, and the successful first edition of the Aurora Open.

Beach volleyball tournament continued over two days against the beautiful backdrop of the Tyrolian mountains.

And the Winners Are…

After two exciting days of competition under the intense Innsbruck sun, the beach volleyball tournament concluded. The final results showed the diversity of the Aurora student community, but above all emphasized the unifying power of sports.


Aurora Open beach volleyball competition players from Aurora universities

In the Women’s tournament, the results were as follows:

  • 1st Place: Czech it Out!, Palacký University Olomouc
  • 2nd Place: Jamonas, Universitat Rovira i Virgili
  • 3rd Place: Die Unselleriösen, Universität Innsbruck

In the Men’s tournament, the winners were:

  • 1st Place: Team URV, Universitat Rovira i Virgili
  • 2nd Place: JBG, Universität Innsbruck
  • 3rd Place: Bananenflanken, Universität Innsbruck

The level of play, and fair-play across all matches was truly impressive. Thanks and congratulations go out to all the teams for their commitment, energy, and collaboration throughout the event, which will hopefully be the first of many more Aurora sports events to come.

Aurora Summer School 2025 at UPEC Dives Deep Into Futures Literacy

From 2 to 13 June 2025, Université Paris-Est Créteil (UPEC) hosted the second edition of the “Emerging Futures” Summer School, designed and coordinated by Felipe Koch, Vice-Dean of AEI International School. As part of Aurora, the summer school brought together students from five partner universities to explore key topics for understanding, imagining, and transforming societies, when the future is anything but certain.


UPEC Summer School 2025 participants at the Certificate Award ceremony

A Summer School to Reflect on the Futures of A Changing World

During the two-week summer school, students were invited to explore innovative approaches to anticipation, develop skills in Futures Literacy, and engage with tools applied in strategic foresight, systems thinking, and social innovation. In the first week, led by Professor Felipe Koch, students participated took part in the Futures Literacy Lab, an immersive experience that raised awareness of multiple temporalities and anticipatory biases. They explored forecasting techniques with Professor Philippe Frouté and were guided through a strategic foresight exercise by Anika Keils, a PhD candidate from the seizmic MSCA doctoral network.

The second week featured renowned international experts such as Riel Miller (former Head of Foresight at UNESCO), Fabio Scarano (ecologist and curator at the Museum of Tomorrow in Rio de Janeiro), Mayra Fonseca (University of Brasília), Ramon Rispoli (Università Federico II of Naples), and Rocco Scolozzi (University of Trento). They shared their complementary approaches to anticipatory systems and processes, regeneration, social technologies, speculative design, and systems thinking.

Taught entirely in English, the programme incorporated reflection on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, with the objective of linking global challenges with local dynamics and collective capacity for action.

Classroom sessions with group preparations and presentations on Futures Literacy

An International Conference Becoming A Landmark Event

The Summer School concluded with an international conference that has become a flagship event in the Aurora calendar. The theme, “Decision-Making under Deep Uncertainty”, created a bridge between academics, institutions, and civil society. The day brought together diverse stakeholders to discuss anticipation, governance, and knowledge in an uncertain world.

Three key perspectives structured the conference:

  • A conversation on pandemic management, hosted by Cecilia Gabizon, with Janet Diaz from the World Health Organisation (WHO), and Fernando Bozza from Fiocruz in Brazil;
  • Financial market resilience, with Olivier de Bandt from the Banque de France, Mohammed Chahad from the European Central Bank (ECB), Patrick Guézais from the Ecole Supérieure d’Assurances (ESA), and Thomas Houy from Télécom Paris;
  • Emerging knowledge for societal transitions, through a 100% female panel with Kwamou Feukeu from the Max Planck Institute, anthropologist Mayra Fonseca from the University of Brasília, futurist Julie Ezan-Zecca from Eranos consulting firm, and Apoorva Arya from the Circular Innovation Lab.

Landmark international conference on “Decision-Making under Deep Uncertainty”

Highlight moments also included:

  • The opening lecture by Riel Miller on Futures Literacy and the diversity of anticipation regimes;
  • A powerful talk by sociologist Stéphane Hugon on the need to reinvent consulting practices in an unstable world;
  • The certificate award ceremony for students from Iceland, The Netherlands, Germany, Spain, Denmark, Italy, Colombia, Brazil, and France.

An Academic, Intercultural and Human Experience

Building memorable connections at the Emerging Futures Summer School 2025

Beyond theoretical learning, this summer school offered a truly intercultural exchange and a vibrant collective experience, strengthening the sense of belonging to an engaged academic community. The intensive and collaborative format fostered lasting connections among students and instructors, in a spirit of experimentation, listening, and dialogue.

This momentum, also supported by the ERASME programme of UPEC, aligns fully with the strategic vision of our institutions, reaffirming our commitment to an open, inclusive university focused on Europe and the future.

Challenges in Europe: Student Conference at the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam

Organised within the activities related to Aurora educational hub Cultures: Identities and Diversities, this third edition of the course on Challenges in Europe culminated with a Student Conference from 4 to 6 June 2025 at the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam.

Challenges in Europe is one of the two courses that make up Understanding Europe, a joint educational programme offered within Aurora. This year, it was realised in cooperation with the University of Duisburg-Essen (UDE) and the Università Federico II of Naples (UNINA), and was highly appreciated by participating students.

Instructors, staff and students in the Challenges in Europe course at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam

Addressing European Issues Through Challenges in Europe

The main objective of the Challenges in Europe activities was to present and have students address some of the most relevant challenges that Europe is facing and will face in the near future. To meet this objective, the course is subdivided into two tracks on Sustainable Tourism instructed by UDE, and Imag(-ing) Cities instructed by UNINA. The course started on 14 April 2025 with an introductory lecture on the general objectives of the course and specific thematic in-depth studies. It further included a didactic phase consisting of 6 online lectures, and concluded with in-person activities organised from 4 to 6 June 2025.

To this end, students had the opportunity to choose a track related to a specific United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG), with a focus on SDG 11. Sustainable Cities and Communities and SDG 12. Responsible Consumption and Production. They were then able to delve deeper into the topic and analyse diverse case studies of contributions from different disciplines.

In total, the course had 7 instructors, with two coming from UDE (Florian Freitag and Zohra Hassan-Pieper) and 5 from UNINA (Francesca Scamardella, Benedetta Toledo, Giovan Giuseppe Monti, Francesco Casalbordino, Maria Fierro). 12 students from five Aurora universities UDE, UNINA, Universität Innsbruck, Université Paris-Est Créteil (UPEC) and Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, attended the course.

Presentation on the Imag(-ing) Cities track instructed by UNINA
Students from Aurora universities attended Challenges in Europe course held at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam

 

Diversity In Learning Approaches

Under the supervision of the instructors, students first developed their own research projects on their chosen topics. Then, they carried out a workshop activity with the aim of working together by sharing new approaches and methodologies across the diverse topics. The combination of support from Aurora universities, lecturers and the active participation of students ensured that the course resulted in high-level training, knowledge acquisition, and growth in personal development. The course was also an important moment of international networking, where multicultural and transdisciplinary approaches allowed critical, unprecedented and stimulating perspectives to be opened up for the challenges ahead.

 

Launch of EURIDICE’s European Joint Master DIGISOC – Digital Society, Social Innovation, Global Citizenship

We are excited to announce the new European Joint Master DIGISOC – Digital Society, Social Innovation, Global Citizenship. Offered as part of the EURIDICE Project, DIGISOC is a pioneering study programme born within the European university alliance Aurora. Its graduates will be jointly awarded the Degree in Digital Society, Social Innovation and Global Citizenship from three Aurora universities: Università Federico II of Naples (Italy), Universität Innsbruck (Austria), and Palacký University Olomouc (CzechRepublic)

The programme is designed to train a new generation of highly qualified socio-digital innovators capable of leading and managing digital transformation processes in diverse societal contexts. Students will learn how to develop, prototype, and promote digital solutions that are not only technologically sound but also ethically grounded and socially impactful. 

About DIGISOC

The programme consists of 120 ECTS credits, culminating in the writing of a Master’s thesis. It incorporates compulsory and elective modules, short-term mobility phases (Summer Schools), provisions for individual learning paths, Internships and Service Learning, respecting the needs and interests of a diverse European student body. DIGISOC is taught in English and mostly delivered in an hybrid mode.

With DIGISOC, students benefit from:

  • an excellence-oriented, research-based and highly interdisciplinary teaching program
  • a diverse learning environment, innovative teaching methods, and international mobility
  • a joint transnational education, resulting in a joint degree and joint micro-credentials (for all learning activities, including the elective courses attended at Associated Universities)
  • a hybrid, seamless, collaborative and challenge-based educational environment
  • Interdisciplinary Education

A unique feature of DIGISOC is its Collaboratorium for Blended International Hybrid Learning, a new educational concept which combines onsite in-person interaction and collaboration, scaling possibilities of online teaching and student collaboration.

DIGISOC Application Process

The DIGISOC Call for Application is open until 20 June 2025

Candidates have to fill and send in relevant information through the DIGISOC Application Form. For study year 2025-2026, there will be a maximum of 90 students admitted to DIGISOC, evenly divided over the three universities (30 students per university).

Read the important details to know about the Call for Application.

APPLY NOW

For more information, go to: Joint Master DIGISOC.
For any queries, contact: euridice@unina.it

Planting the Seeds for the Education of Tomorrow: Looking Back at the Aurora Annual Conference 2025

From May 19 to 22, 2025, the Université Paris-Est Créteil (UPEC) hosted the Aurora Annual Conference 2025, bringing together thought leaders, experts, academics, staff, and students from Aurora universities and beyond. The event fostered dynamic exchanges around education, research and innovation, sustainability, and societal impact.

Aurora Annual Conference 2025 attendees from Aurora universities across Europe
© Ciprian Olteanu

The conference began with an opening ceremony at the historic Amphithéâtre Liard in La Sorbonne, with welcome remarks by Prof. Martin Schwell, Vice-president European Affairs and Aurora Institutional Coordinator at UPEC. The President of UPEC Prof. Jean-Luc Dubois-Randé gave a resounding opening address. He highlighted the essential role of European universities like Aurora in preserving and enriching knowledge through new forms of European integration, such as the creation of joint degrees and intercultural experiences.

“Aurora’s commitment to, and impact on, society and the environment, are powerful vectors for the creation and sharing of knowledge and, by extension, for profound transformation,” said Prof. Jean-Luc Dubois-Randé.

Prof. Jean-Luc Dubois-Randé, President of Université Paris-Est Créteil (UPEC) addresses a full house at La Sorbonne, Paris
© Ciprian Olteanu

In his opening speech, Dr. Ramon Puras, Aurora Secretary General, added that the transformative power of Aurora also lies in its ability to harness strong collaboration and harmonise systems across its member universities.

One of the major highlights of the Aurora Annual Conference was the ceremonial handover of the Aurora presidency. Through a symbolic “passing of the baton” from Prof. Martin Procházka of Palacký University Olomouc to Prof. Veronika Sexl of Universität Innsbruck, this change in leadership marks a new chapter for Aurora and its universities.

Nurturing deeper academic reflections, Nobel Laureate Elizabeth Blackburn delivered a fascinating keynote address on her groundbreaking discoveries in the field of cellular biology, which have had profound implications for aging, cancer research, and cellular biology.

Aurora Presidency ceremonial handover from Prof. Martin Procházka to Prof. Veronika Sexl. © Ciprian Olteanu
High-level talk by Nobel laureate Elizabeth Blackburn.© Ciprian Olteanu

European Universities for Research, Education, Students’ Rights and Sustainability

Throughout the week, the conference featured engaging plenary sessions on a range of topics from the future of the European Universities Initiative and building scientific communities in Aurora, to students’ rights and representation. 

Next to the plenary programme, the Aurora Annual Conference featured many additional workshops, strategy sessions, and task team meetings throughout the week. These gatherings enabled further cooperation and progress on topics in Aurora relating to research support network, educational hubs, international mobility, and citizen science.

Beyond the formal sessions, there was also ample space for networking, culminating with the Gala dinner and reception at the stunning Musée national de l’histoire de l’immigration, and its aquarium in Palais de la Porte Dorée, Paris. During the dinner, two prominent Aurora events took place: the seizmic Awards 2024 ceremony, featuring winners Team thisAbility from Copenhagen Business School (CBS) and runners-up Team Synergy Hydrogen Solutions from Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam. The second event was the 3MT competition pitches by winners Stéphanie Chedid and Juliette Direur from UPEC.

Aurora Sustainability Summit 2025 plenary session. © Ciprian Olteanu
Full house at the Aurora Annual Conference 2025. © Ciprian Olteanu
Left to right: Simona Gibalová, Sören Daehn, Mathilde Chaumont, Hanuš Patera and Simon Westhoff. © Ciprian Olteanu
Small group discussions in the courtyard during the Aurora Annual Conference 2025. © Ciprian Olteanu

The three-day conference also saw the rise of the first-ever Aurora Sustainability Summit. The summit spotlighted Aurora’s impressive achievements in developing best practices for sustainable campuses. Furthermore, it brought to light the challenges ahead in the creation of greener, more sustainable universities. The summit featured plenary sessions, followed by interactive workshops exploring key themes such as futures literacy, climate action, and biodiversity. 

The Aurora Annual Conference 2025 served as a window into Aurora’s progress thus far. It provided an insight into its ever-growing community as actors of change planting the seed to shape a more inclusive, greener, and sustainable European higher education landscape.