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Aurora Students Gather in Reykjavík for the 2026 Student Conference

Written by Benedetta Toledo on . Posted in News.

Hosted by the University of Iceland (UI) in Reykjavík, the Aurora Student Conference 2026 marked the first in-person student event of the year. Over the course of three days from 12 to 14 January 2026, the conference brought together students from across Europe for an immersive experience focused on cultural exchange and collaborative learning.

Students from Aurora universities were fortunate to experience the northern lights (aurora borealis)

Open to members of the Aurora Student Council and Aurora Student Ambassadors, the conference aimed to strengthen intercultural exchange and cooperation within the Aurora network. The programme combined workshops on intercultural communication, public speaking and student engagement with informal activities designed to foster connection, including city tours, karaoke and peer-learning discussions.

The conference opened with the Aurora Student Council (ASC) meeting, during which ASC members discussed key topics such as the Student Rights Charter, the Code of Conduct and future student-led initiatives. The day concluded with an informal welcome aperitif at the university, offering participants the opportunity to connect in a relaxed setting.

Connecting Students Across Europe

On day two of the conference, participants were officially welcomed by the Institutional Coordinator and the Rector of the University of Iceland. The day continued with an open session addressing topics such as future communication strategies within Aurora, followed by an intercultural communication workshop. In the evening, students explored Reykjavík through a city tour led by local students and guides.


Reykjavík city tour with local students and guides

Day three focused on active participation and exchange. The programme included a student community engagement workshop, which highlighted the diversity of Aurora universities and their national contexts, as well as peer-to-peer learning and public speaking workshops. The conference concluded with a cultural exchange moment: students shared traditional food from their home countries, creating a vibrant space for informal dialogue and mutual discovery.

Aurora Student Council Board members present achievements of the student community in the last year

Overall, the Aurora Student Conference 2026 proved to be an intense and enriching experience, fostering open-mindedness, dialogue and collaboration among Aurora students, and further strengthening the sense of community within the alliance.

Meet the Aurora Student Council Board 2025/26

Written by Benedetta Toledo on . Posted in News.

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.