EULiST General Assembly 2025 at UnivAQ in L’ Aquila

14/04/2025

The annual EULiST General Assembly 2025 was successfully hosted by the University of L’ Aquila (UnivAQ) from March 31 to April 2, 2025, in the historic “Luigi Zordan” Congress Centre at the monastery of St. Basil, in the heart of L’ Aquila, Italy.

The event welcomed over 150 participants from the 10 partner universities. Academic leaders, including rectors, presidents, and vice-rectos, as well as professors, researchers, administrative staff, students, and other representatives from EULiST partner universities convened for this annual gathering to reflect on achievements to date and to define the next strategic steps.

The main topics discussed during the three-day General Assembly included:

Strategies for student and staff mobility in EULiST
Sustainable EULiST Campuses
STEM Education for Competitiveness
EULiST Digital Campus
EULiST Internship Platform
Internal and external communication in EULiST
Managing the European University Alliances – EU Challenges
European Degree and Label
EULiST Quality Assurance System
Upcoming events: EULiST Global Conference and Student Conference

Throughout the Assembly, a series of parallel meetings took place, including sessions of the Governing Board, Management Board, Student Board, Coordination Office, and the Project Steering Committee. On the final day, several parallel WP/TG meetings were also held. In particular, WP2, WP3, WP4, TG1.3, and TG1.4 met to assess the current progress of their respective activities and to collaboratively outline the roadmap for the upcoming months.

One of the most significant moments of the event was the inauguration of the 2024/25 academic year at the University of L’Aquila (UnivAQ). This occasion served as a meaningful gathering of Italian universities, represented by guest rectors, alongside delegates from all EULiST partner institutions— underscoring the shared commitment of the EULiST member universities to fostering a strong and interconnected academic community.

Furthermore, the General Assembly hosted the first session in a new series of webinars dedicated to the professional development of academic staff, an initiative promoted within the EULiST Alliance. Coordinated by Task Group 3.2 “Innovative Teaching and Learning Methodologies”, the series aims to provide academic staff with innovative tools and advanced strategies to enhance teaching and learning. The inaugural webinar, titled “Challenge-based Learning: An Active Pedagogy in Higher Education,” was led by Prof. Claudia Migliaccio of the Institut Mines-Télécom (IMT), Paris.

The EULiST General Assembly 2025 marked another important milestone in the Alliance’s journey, reinforcing the collective efforts of its member universities toward shaping an inclusive, innovative, and future-oriented European Higher Education Area.

EULiST Task Group 2.1 “Digital Campus Infrastructure” Meeting at NTUA

07/04/2025

The most recent meeting of EULiST Task Group 2.1 took place from March 26th to 28th, 2025 at the National Technical University of Athens (NTUA). Task 2.1 is focused on the development of EULiST Digital Campus platform, an integrated digital environment designed to support teaching and learning, research, and engagement with a wide range of stakeholders. Key components currently under development include the Joint Course Catalogue, the Stakeholders’ Database, the Internship Platform, and a suite of additional digital services aiming at enhancing collaboration and connectivity across the EULiST alliance.

Researchers, professors, technical and administrative staff from all member universities came together for the meeting, to advance the development of the EULiST Digital Campus. A key priority was the launch of the Joint Course Catalogue accessible online by the end of October 2025. The meeting was conducted in a hybrid format, enabling both in person and remote participation.

During the meeting, WP2 leader, Stefan Sandahl from Jönköping University (JU), gave a brief overview of the status of WP2, while Prof. Efi Dimopoulou from NTUA, Task 2.1 Leader, outlined the progress made on the Digital Campus. Prof. Nikolaos Mitrou from NTUA presented the architecture of the Digital Campus, and Ioannis Pispidikis, also from NTUA, demonstrated the respective dashboard under development.

In addition, Zbyněk Křivka from Brno University of Technology (BUT), co-leader of TG2.1, also contributed to the discussion on the system architecture, along with the representatives of TG2.1 from the other universities. Representatives from other WPs and tasks joined the meeting to provide functional requirements for the Digital Campus. Gergely Rakoczi from Technical University of Vienna (TUW) presented students’ needs and expectations for the Digital Campus and discussed the prospect of testing the Digital Campus in collaboration with Marwan Al Azar from Institut Mines-Télécom (IMT), who will co-organize the next EULiST Student Conference.

The meeting opened with a welcome address by Prof. Pavlos Georgilakis, Associate Dean of the NTUA School of Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE), Prof. Emer. Katerina Adam, EULiST Scientific Coordinator, and Prof. Efi Dimopoulou, Task 2.1 Leader.

At the end, partners strategized their next steps to achieve Task 2.1 goals and planned their contribution for the upcoming Student Conference in Douai. They also had the opportunity to visit the Acropolis Museum and delve into the rich history of Ancient Greece.

EULiST Rectors’ and Presidents’ Meeting in Vienna: Advancing Our Vision for a European Academic Institution

07/02/2025

On January 29-30, 2025, the Rectors and Presidents of the member-universities of the EULiST University Alliance convened at Vienna University of Technology (TU Wien) in Austria for a pivotal meeting shaping the alliance’s future. Discussions were held in an exceptionally positive spirit of collaboration, and the participants jointly reached significant decisions on governance, organizational structure, and long-term strategy.

All the heads of the participating universities expressed their strong commitment to working intensively towards the ambitious goal of establishing the alliance as the foundation for a European Academic Institution with an official legal entity. This initiative aims to position the alliance as a leading force in European and global higher education and research, strengthening the connection between science and society.

Key topics on the agenda included:

Project Progress – Reviewing milestones and next steps in the alliance’s implementation.
Strategic Direction & Governance – Defining roles, decision-making structures, and positioning our Alliance within broader European initiatives.
Institutionalization & future Funding – Exploring the potential for legal entity status and long-term financial sustainability.
Selection of the new Secretary General – A crucial step in strengthening leadership and operations.

The valuable contributions of each rector and president will guide the alliance in its next steps. With a shared vision and strong collaboration, EULiST is taking decisive steps toward building a unified European Academic Institution.

EULiST Student Board Meeting at IMT

10/01/2025

Τhe last EULiST Student Board meeting was held from December 18 to 22, 2024, at IMT Nord Europe in Douai, France. Several discussions shaping the future of student activities within EULiST took place as well as a joint session under Work Package 1, specifically Task Group 1.2, on student engagement.

The Student Board welcomed its new members, who had the opportunity to get to know each other and gain deeper insights into the EULiST project. Participants defined their roles, delegated tasks, and engaged in productive exchanges about their collective responsibilities.

Beyond the formal sessions, attendees also enjoyed a guided tour of the IMT Nord Europe campus and the charming city of Douai, engaging with both the university and the local community.

A major focus of the meeting was planning the upcoming 2025 EULiST Student Conference, set to take place in Douai from June 30 to July 4. In conclusion, the members worked on defining the Student Board’s goals for 2025, setting the foundation for an impactful year ahead.

EULiST Symposium “Climate-neutral and climate-resilient cities and universities in Europe”

18/12/2024

On December 2^nd and 3^rd, 2024, Leibniz University Hannover (LUH) hosted the EULiST Symposium “Climate-Neutral and Climate-Resilient Cities and Universities in Europe”.

The Symposium explored how European cities and universities could achieve climate neutrality and resilience by integrating societal and technological innovations, addressing challenges such as heatwaves, flooding, and sustainable urban transformation. It fostered cross-border collaboration to design urban spaces and academic institutions for a sustainable future.

The two-day event was co-organised with the City of Hannover, the National Technical University of Athens (NTUA) and the Technical University of Vienna (TUW). It brought together over 80 participants, including professors, researchers, and students from across Europe as well as representatives from city government. Special guests included esteemed organisations such as the Deutscher Wetterdienst, Urban Innovation Vienna, and the deputy mayor of Athens for environment and climate matters. The event was made possible by a grant funded by the DAAD and BMBF.

Keynote speeches were delivered by professors from the three EULiST member universities as well as by mayors or deputy mayors of the cities of the partner universities.

Further information on the specific EULiST Symposium can be found here.

“One Year of EULiST” Anniversary Event

11/12/2024

The National Technical University of Athens (NTUA) hosted an anniversary event titled “One Year of EULiST” on November 28, 2024, marking one year since the launch of the European University Alliance EULiST project. The event took place in the Event Hall of the Administration Building at the Zografou Campus, with the participation of Deans and representatives from all NTUA Schools, as well as numerous members of the NTUA community. Dr. E. Tsouparopoulou, the representative of the Hellenic State Scholarship Foundation (IKY) in charge of European University Alliances, also attended the event.

The workshop commenced with opening remarks delivered by the Vice Rector for Academic Affairs and Lifelong Learning of NTUA and Co-chair of the EULiST Management Board, Prof. Ath. Zisis, and the Vice Rector for Academic, International Affairs, and Outreach of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA), Prof. S. Papaioannou. Prof. Zisis emphasized the importance of internationalization and EULiST’s contribution to this strategic goal of NTUA. The Vice Rector, S. Papaioannou, referred, among other topics, to the network of Greek Higher Education Institutions within European University Alliances, established in June 2024 through the initiative of NTUA and NKUA, and stressed the need for stable European and national financial support.

Following these speeches, presentations were delivered by Vice Rector Prof. Ath. Zisis, and two scientific coordinators of the project, Prof. Emer. K. Adam, Coordinator of EULiST NTUA Team, and Prof. S. Karellas, Chair of WP4 Research and Innovation. They presented the opportunities created by the EULiST Alliance for NTUA and reviewed the educational and research activities completed during the funded project’s first year.

This was followed by presentations from Prof. E. Dimopoulou, Chair of Task 2.1 Digital Campus, who highlighted the innovative aspects of creating a “EULiST Digital Campus”—the core of academic activities and digital governance—and from PhDc K.M. Giannakopoulou, a member of the EULiST Student Board, who emphasized the student-centered character of EULiST.

An open discussion followed, highlighting NTUA’s pivotal role as a partner in the EULiST alliance, the added value of its participation, and the specific initiatives and opportunities in Education, Research, and Outreach. These include seamless access to information in an interoperable manner through the EULiST Digital Campus. NTUA’s participation in this strategic alliance enhances the quality of the academic environment while boosting the institution’s international visibility and recognition. Aligned with the vision of connecting society and technology, the aim is to leverage the knowledge and innovation generated within EULiST to promote the sustainable development of the local community.

Detailed Event Program

Photos from the Event

STU Learning and Teaching Forum 2024

20/11/2024

STU Learning & Teaching forum on trends in technical education.

On November 7, 2024, the Slovak University of Technology in Bratislava (STU) hosted the STU Learning & Teaching Forum, focusing on the evolving landscape of technical education amid current domestic and global changes. The conference emphasized the critical role of engineering education in driving economic growth and enhancing quality of life, highlighting the necessity for graduates to deliver economically, environmentally, and socially sustainable solutions.

A notable highlight was the participation of Nobel Laureate and recent STU Honorary Doctorate recipient, Professor Dan Shechtman, who engaged with university scientists and educators. The forum also featured expert speakers from EULiST partner universities, including:

Shabnam Michèle Tauböck, Head of the Center for Strategic Development in Education at the Technical University of Vienna (TU Wien), who introduced a new seal of excellence for outstanding courses, currently in its pilot phase, aimed at increasing transparency in teaching quality.
Marjaana Kareinen, Manager for Educational Technology LUT University Finland, who discussed the integration of artificial intelligence in higher education, emphasizing the importance of critical thinking and the understanding of data accuracy.
Jari Hämäläinen, Vice President for Research and Innovation at LUT University and EULiST Management Board Member, who addressed talent management in universities, focusing on fostering excellence among researchers, teachers, and professors.

The conference also included a panel discussion titled “What EULiST will Enable?” featuring Jari Hämäläinen (LUT), Shabnam Michèle Tauböck (TUW), and Ioannis Golias (rector of National Technical University of Athens, NTUA), moderated by STU Vice-Rector Ľubica Vitková, a member of the EULiST Management Board.

The forum provided a platform for in-depth discussions on adapting engineering education to meet future challenges, the role of artificial intelligence in higher education, effective talent management in universities, and the impact of academic rankings. These discussions underscored the importance of evolving technical education to align with contemporary societal needs and technological advancements.

EULiST Task 2.1 “Digital Campus Infrastructure” meeting at LUT

18/11/2024

An EULiST Task 2.1 “Digital Campus Infrastructure” meeting was held at Lappeenranta-Lahti University of Technology (LUT), on November 13-15, 2024, bringing together researchers and practitioners for 2.5 days of productive discussions and presentations. Kicking off the event, LUT’s Vice-Rector for Research Jari Hämäläinen warmly welcomed participants, followed by an insightful introduction from the Digital Learning Team led by Marjaana Kareinen.

The team collaboratively outlined actionable steps to drive the development of the EULiST Digital Campus in the months and years ahead. Key topics covered included:

Digital Campus User Stories presented by Miia Vanhainen (LUT) and Gergerly Rakoczi (TUW), laying the groundwork for shaping user-centric solutions
LUT University IT and thoughts on Alliances within European Universities presented by Antti Sirviö, LUT’s CIO
Technical Presentations by Zbyněk Křivka (BUT), Nikolaos Mitrou (NTUA) and Marwan Al Azar (IMT) and Discussions focused on the design of the EULiST Course Catalogue Architecture, providing Offerings and integrating Internships, Stakeholders and other backend databases, applications and learning platforms
Advances in Open-Source Platforms such as Stud.IP/ILIAS and Moodle, discussed by Cornelis Kater, Tomke Fries, and Jan Ahrens (LUH)

The workshop concluded with a roadmap for future development of the Digital Campus and scheduled upcoming meetings to sustain the momentum. Stay tuned as we continue to build and innovate for the future of digital learning across Europe!

Τhe First Language Services Working Group Meeting, 18 October 2024, Hannover

21/10/2024

“Multilingualism changes lives”: Report from the first meeting of the Language Services Working Group, 18 October 2024, Hannover

The Language Services Working Group (LSWG) was proposed and established at the EULiST WP3 Status Update Meeting on 31^st January 2024. Its purpose is to ensure effective communication and linguistic support across all project activities. The main areas of focus lie on supporting the establishment of a EULiST Language Policy and Plan, a EULiST Language Centre, and other language-related activities. From the beginning, the group has been aware of the importance of communicating with the work packages (WPs) on language-related activities and that they would send their proposals to the existing EULiST WPs.

We greatly appreciate that seven of the ten universities within the LSWG were able to attend the meeting on the 18^th of October (two joined online). The group received a warm welcome by the new Vice President for International Affairs and Sustainability at the Leibniz University Hannover, Prof. Dr.-Ing. Regina Nogueira, who set the tone by giving a very personal account of her academic career across various cultures and languages. With the motto “multilingualism changes lives”, Prof. Nogueira emphasised the importance of language services in all forms of international academic collaboration. Our meeting then focused on language-related tasks in the EULiST proposal.

We began with short presentations by the seven EULiST partners on their language services, followed by question & answer sessions. These gave us a good idea of common themes, but also individual strengths that we could use for the benefit of EULiST activities. After a well-deserved lunch nearby, we focused on “logistics”, i.e. our communication channels, working modes, meeting schedules, and proposals to the WPs. We agreed to select 3-5 activities that we considered feasible (“low hanging fruits”), urgent, or related to our centres’ areas of expertise. Ideally, the chosen activities would fulfil all of these criteria. We will send a list of these activities to the respective WPs and start work only on receiving the go-ahead. We plan to work in small sub-groups with experts from various EULiST partners to create concrete proposals for implementation. After review in the LSWG, we will then submit these to the WPs for review, negotiation and approval.

After coffee, we discussed concrete language-related activities we would suggest to the WPs. These should provide a solid foundation to a future EULiST Language Policy and a EULiST Language Centre, as formulated in the EULiST proposal.

After very intensive and productive discussions and concrete results, the day ended with a pleasant dinner in Hannover’s old town. We plan to meet again online in November and our partner in Athens has already agreed to host the next LSWG meeting in May 2025.

EULiST Blended Intensive Programme at IMT in France on Student Engagement

28/08/2024

EULiST Blended Intensive Programme at IMT in France on Student Engagement

18^th – 24^th August 2024

IMT Ecole des Mines d’Ales hosted the first EULiST Blended Intensive Programme on Student Engagement from August 18 to 24, 2024. This new Erasmus+ initiative was developed in collaboration with leading European institutions, including the National Technical University of Athens, Leibniz University Hannover, University of L’Aquila, Brno University of Technology, and Slovak University of Technology in Bratislava.

The innovative programme enhanced student participation both within and beyond academic settings. It helped students develop essential skills in intercultural competence, leadership, project management, active citizenship, and communication, empowering them to contribute meaningfully to society.

Over these days, the students developed some exciting potential projects for the EULiST European University network, including a programme to promote sports and wellness for EULiST students, a social media platform designed to connect the entire EULiST community, an initiative to help students build the essential soft skills they need for success.

By blending presentations, group work, discussions, and social activities, the BIP aligned with European ideals and the UN Sustainable Development Goals.