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EULiST European University Summer School on Knowledge graphs for Water

08/10/2026

An intensive and exciting week at the EULiST Summer School on Knowledge graphs for Water Management!

From 13–19 September 2026, we brought together participants and researchers from the National Technical University of Athens, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, Universidad de Alcalá, University of L’Aquila, Institute for Sanitary Engineering and Waste Management(LUH), LUH, L3S, TIB, and the THIRDWAVE project.

Throughout seven intensive days, participants learned how to apply semantic models and knowledge graphs to enable semantic data integration and explainable AI in the context of water management.

The Summer School combined learning activities with hands-on project work and field trips. Participants presented and discussed their results, putting the concepts learned during the week directly into practice.

A great week of interdisciplinary and international collaboration, connecting water management, semantic technologies, knowledge graphs, and AI!

Many thanks to all participants, mentors (Yashrajsinh Chudasama Disha Purohit, Dr. Enrique Iglesias, Beatriz Dörrie) researchers, and co-organizers (Prof Dr. Maria-Esther Vidal, Prof. Dr-Ing Regina Nogueira, Dr.-Ing. María Perez-Rubi, M.Sc. Beatriz Dörrie, Gabriela Ydler, Dr. Disha Purohit) and co-organizers (Dr. Elena Koumaki from National Technical Univ. of Athens and Prof. Dr. Francisco Carreño from Universidad Rey Juan Carlos) who contributed to making the week such an engaging experience.

Looking forward to continuing researching together.

EULiST-URJC Matchmaking Event brings European Project ideas to life

07/10/2026

The event was officially opened by Abraham Duarte, Rector of Rey Juan Carlos University, who highlighted the strategic importance of creating spaces that facilitate interdisciplinary and international collaboration. In his welcome address, he stressed that such initiatives perfectly reflect the university’s mission and strengths: “At Rey Juan Carlos University, as a comprehensive university, our researchers work across a very broad range of disciplines: from engineering, energy, environmental sciences and digital technologies to health, economics, communication, law, social sciences and humanities.” He further noted that “this matchmaking event is therefore very well aligned with that vision”, underlining the value of bringing together experts from different fields to address complex societal challenges through European research and innovation projects.

Participants were also welcomed by César Cáceres, Vice-Rector for Internationalisation at URJC, who introduced the objectives and methodology of the event. He explained the matchmaking approach, designed not only to showcase project ideas but also to facilitate the creation of future consortia by connecting researchers with potential partners, complementary expertise and shared interests.

The programme was organised around three thematic round tables, a series of elevator-pitch sessions and dedicated consortium-building meetings. The round tables created opportunities for open discussion on sustainability, European funding programmes and collaboration between universities and external stakeholders.

A central component of the event was the elevator-pitch format. Across three pitching sessions, participants presented project concepts targeting forthcoming European calls expected in 2027. Each presenter had five minutes to introduce their idea, explain its objectives, identify the targeted funding opportunity and outline the expertise sought from potential consortium partners. This concise format enabled attendees to gain a rapid overview of a wide range of emerging initiatives while identifying opportunities for collaboration.

More than thirty project concepts were presented by researchers from Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, Institut Mines-Télécom, Brno University of Technology, National Technical University of Athens, University of Stuttgart, Università degli Studi dell’Aquila and Lappeenranta University of Technology. The programme also featured contributions from representatives of public administrations, European university alliances, innovation agencies, business-support organisations and private-sector stakeholders, including the ULYSSEUS Alliance, the Enterprise Europe Network Madrid, the Móstoles Business Incubator, SensoWave and Fuenlabrada City Council. Together, participants presented project ideas addressing topics ranging from climate adaptation, renewable energies and circular economy solutions to artificial intelligence, education, entrepreneurship, sustainable tourism, water resilience, soil restoration, autonomous vehicles and advanced industrial technologies.

Following each pitching session, attendees participated in dedicated matchmaking and consortium-formation meetings. These networking activities constituted the core of the event, allowing participants to discuss potential collaborations directly with project promoters, identify complementary expertise and explore concrete ways to contribute to future proposals. By moving beyond simple presentations and facilitating structured interaction among researchers, institutions and external stakeholders, the event enabled ideas to evolve into potential project partnerships.

The EULiST-URJC Matchmaking Event concluded with a reporting session in which participants shared the main opportunities identified throughout the discussions, followed by closing remarks and the definition of next steps. By combining expert dialogue, project pitching and structured networking, the event successfully strengthened connections within the EULiST community and beyond, reinforcing the alliance’s commitment to fostering international cooperation and developing impactful research and innovation projects capable of addressing major societal challenges.

Whole information related to the event: EULiST-URJC Matchmaking Event brings European Project ideas to life | EULiST URJC

EULiST at Researchers’ Night 2026: Bringing Europe Closer to Future Researchers

01/10/2026

EULiST proudly took part in Researchers’ Night 2026 at the National Technical University of Athens (NTUA), welcoming visitors of all ages to discover the opportunities and experiences offered by the European university alliance.

Throughout the event, the NTUA EULiST team and student ambassadors (EULiSTers) engaged with hundreds of visitors through a series of interactive and educational activities designed to showcase the alliance and its eleven partner universities across Europe.

Visitors tested their knowledge through a fun EULiST quiz, explored the alliance through an interactive map featuring all member universities, and learned more about the international study, mobility, and collaboration opportunities available to students. Younger visitors also enjoyed creative activities, including balloon painting inspired by the EULiST identity.

The event provided an excellent opportunity to connect with prospective students, families, and the wider public, highlighting EULiST’s vision of building a more connected, innovative, and inclusive European higher education community.

We would like to thank everyone who visited our stand and contributed to making Researchers’ Night 2026 a memorable experience. We look forward to welcoming even more students and researchers to the EULiST community in the future.

From the EULiST BIP to Scientific Research: «Integrated 3D Documentation of Cultural Heritage Using Photogrammetry and SLAM»

16/09/2026

A research outcome of the BIP “Point Clouds for Society: Cultural Heritage, Infrastructure, and Environment”, held on 21-26 April, in Athens-Greece.

The collaborative work carried out during this EULiST Blended Intensive Program (BIP) has led to a new scientific publication in the ISPRS International Journal of Geo-Information.

The paper, entitled “Integrating Photogrammetry and SLAM for the 3D Geometric Documentation of Cultural Heritage Monuments: A Reproducible Multi-Sensor Workflow Supported by an Open Dataset”, presents the results of the 3D documentation activities conducted at the Holy Monastery of St. John the Hunter (Agios Ioannis Kynigos) in Attica, Greece, during the BIP.

The study investigates the complementary use of photogrammetry and SLAM technology for the three-dimensional geometric documentation of complex cultural heritage monuments. By combining UAV and terrestrial photogrammetry with SLAM-based mapping and geodetic control, the research develops an integrated workflow for documenting both exterior and interior spaces and evaluates the geometric consistency of the resulting point clouds.

A key outcome of the work is the CH-PhotoSLAM3D open dataset, which brings together multi-sensor data and derived products from the case study and is intended to support reproducibility and further research in 3D cultural heritage documentation.

The publication represents a significant scientific outcome of the EULiST BIP, demonstrating how international collaboration, hands-on learning and field-based research can develop into a peer-reviewed scientific contribution and a reusable research resource.

The BIP was hosted by the School of Rural, Surveying and Geoinformatics Engineering of the National Technical University of Athens (NTUA), within the EULiST Alliance, with scientific coordination by Prof. Efi Dimopoulou. The programme brought together students and academics from five EULiST partner universities and combined lectures, fieldwork, data processing and collaborative research activities.

Scientific publication:

Verykokou, S., Nikolitsas, K., Piniotis, G., Chliverou, R., & Dimopoulou, E. (2026). Integrating Photogrammetry and SLAM for the 3D Geometric Documentation of Cultural Heritage Monuments: A Reproducible Multi-Sensor Workflow Supported by an Open Dataset. ISPRS International Journal of Geo-Information, 15, 404. DOI: 10.3390/ijgi15090404.

Three Days of Inspiration, Networking, and Connection: Our Alliance at EAIE 2026 in Glasgow

16/09/2026

Over three demanding yet rewarding days, we had the opportunity to present our main goals, celebrate our achievements so far, and highlight the passionate people working behind the scenes to make it all happen.

Key Highlights from EAIE 2026:

Among Leaders in European Education: We joined more than 30 European University Alliances in Glasgow. Together, we shared our major achievements over the past year and showcased how our alliances are shaping the future of higher education.
Inspiring Sessions & EC Presentations: Beyond attending dozens of insightful discussions and workshops on international cooperation, teaching innovation, and student mobility, we participated in discussions and presentations at the European Commission booth. There, the FOREU4ALL initiative — of which EULiST is a proud part — was actively presented.

In-Person FOREU4ALL Meetings: A major milestone was connecting face-to-face within the FOREU4ALL community. On-site, we gathered with colleagues from the Communication Topical Group to exchange practical experiences and strategy.

Showcasing Our Latest News: We presented key updates from our alliance, including our upcoming flagship conference, “Make Science Matter”, and the “EULiST Course Catalog” — offering students flexible educational opportunities across partner universities.

A huge thank you to everyone who represented our alliance at our booth and helped spread the EULiST mission, as well as to all partners and colleagues for the inspiring conversations!

Discover Academic Life Across the EULiST Alliance – New Episodes of “Taking Your Academic Career Abroad”

01/09/2026

Ever wondered what a career in academia looks like at one of our EULiST partner universities? Our podcast series “Taking Your Academic Career Abroad” takes you there — one conversation at a time.

In this series, professors and researchers from around the world talk openly about their career paths, the realities of academic systems in their countries, and what it really means to build a life in research abroad. Several episodes zoom in specifically on universities from the European University Alliance EULiST, giving doctoral candidates and postdocs at Leibniz University Hannover a first-hand, insider look at the academic cultures of our closest European partners.

Meet Our EULiST Guests

Episode 3 — Taking Your Academic Career Abroad to Italy with Dr. Matteo Ardini (32 min) A postdoc and researcher in Biochemistry, Structural Biology and Bionanotechnology at the University of L’Aquila, Dr. Ardini shares what it’s like to navigate the Italian “tenure track postdoc” position, work with tighter funding than in Germany, and pursue the national scientific habilitation — a path quite different from the German route to a professorship.

Episode 5 — Taking Your Academic Career Abroad to Germany with Dr. Kerstin Schäfer (34 min) This episode turns the lens on our own EULiST site: Leibniz University Hannover. Dr. Schäfer, now an assistant professor in the Netherlands and formerly a PhD student and postdoc here in Hannover, talks about strategically planning a postdoc career, securing prestigious funding, and making the most of international opportunities along the way.

Episode 6 — Taking Your Academic Career Abroad to Sweden with Prof. Dr. Lucia Naldi (30 min) A business administration expert and former vice president for early career researchers at Jönköping University, Prof. Naldi walks us through Sweden’s academic career path, the opportunities open to PhD students and postdocs there, and her own journey to a professorship.

Why Listen?

Get an authentic, personal perspective on academic careers within the EULiST network
Compare career structures, funding systems, and qualification paths across Italy, Sweden, and Germany
Pick up practical insights if you’re considering a research stay or career move within the alliance

All episodes are available on Spotify — find the full series and more information on the Graduate Academy website.

A joint production of the International Office and the Graduate Academy, Leibniz University Hannover.

2nd EUI Research and Practice Symposium

27/07/2026

The European University Initiative (EUI) has been influencing and shaping universities for the better part of a decade, attracting growing interest from researchers across Europe. Recognising this momentum, a group of active researchers decided to stage a symposium on the EUI. Rather than simply bringing academics together, the event explicitly invited practitioners to contribute and attend. The second edition of the EUI Research and Practice Symposium took place on 2–3 July 2026 at WU Vienna. Chris Schubert and Gregor had the opportunity to attend, representing EULiST.

Alliance Hopping Tour

The symposium was complemented by an “alliance hopping” tour. Roughly 30 participants visited all Viennese universities participating in a European University Alliance. Alongside BOKU, the University of Vienna, the University of Music and Performing Arts, and Central European University, TU Wien had the honour of hosting the delegation. In two sessions covering the European Campus Hainburg initiative and EULiST’s impact on the TU Wien student union, participants gained insight into how EULiST is shaping initiatives on campus.

Dean Marko Mihovilovic presented the current status of the European Campus Hainburg initiative, a project involving St. Pölten University of Applied Sciences, TU Wien, and the EUDRES and EULiST alliances. Backed by the state of Lower Austria, the project aims to establish a science hub in Hainburg, a town on the Danube between Vienna and Bratislava. Set on former military grounds, the new physical campus will cater to the growing number of professionals relocating to the region. Initial plans include launching a degree programme led by the University of Applied Sciences St. Pölten and creating a hub for Green Technologies and Innovation. Further details on European Campus Hainburg can be found here: https://eudres.eu/europacampus-hainburg

Local coordinator Gregor Fischer presented how EULiST has reshaped the TU Wien student union (HTU) since students gained representation in the alliance’s governance. HTU, an institution with 80 years of history and well-established structures, had to rapidly adapt to this new form of representation. EULiST’s influence led to structural changes, from establishing new voting procedures to founding a department for International Affairs. This department became the foundation for a new movement within the student union, aimed at strengthening the voice and representation of international students by removing language barriers in service advertisements and information provision.

2nd EUI Research and Practice Symposium

A key topic of the symposium was impact. The discussion began with how to measure it, featuring an excellent keynote by Jelena Branković on how alliances are stepping into the metrics trap. What to measure where Alexandru Carțiș held a campfire around what to measure around the numerous Blended Intensive Programmes CIVIS has been setting up and how to judge their success. However, also some results were shown such as Andra Stan-Dragotesc’s presentation on the impact of European University Alliances in Romania.
Gregor Fischer: “From a practioner’s perspective this symposium gave many insights not only into the scientific analysis of alliances but also how other alliances operate and what their challenges are”

Further information on the symposium including a book of abstracts can be found here: https://www.wu.ac.at/eui26/eui26

IMT – Académie des sciences 2026 Prize: submit an application by September 2nd!

17/07/2026

The IMT – Académie des Sciences Prize, awarded annually by IMT in partnership with the French Academy of Sciences and with the support of the Fondation Mines-Télécom, celebrates outstanding scientific excellence at the European level. It recognizes researchers whose work contributes to major scientific and technological advances in four key areas:

Responsible industry of the future;
Digital sovereignty and digital sobriety;
Energy, circular economy and society;
Engineering for health and well-being.

The 2026 edition marks an important milestone in the evolution of the Prize. The Grand Prize is now the Women in Science Grand Prize, reaffirming the commitment to promoting the visibility and recognition of outstanding women scientists. The Young Talent Prize also becomes the Emerging Talent Prize, reflecting its ambition to recognize the next generation of leading researchers.

This edition is made possible thanks to the generous support of its patrons: BNP Paribas, Orange and Dassault Systèmes.

Good to know

The deadline for applications is Tuesday, 2 September 2026, at 11:00 p.m. (CEST) for both award categories.
Direct applications will not be considered. All nominations must be submitted to the French Academy of Sciences by a laboratory director, the head of an institution, or a Member of the Academy, who must endorse and support the nomination.

Learn more and submit a nomination:

Grand Prize for Women in Science IMT – Académie des sciences: https://www.academie-sciences.fr/en/grand-prize-women-science-imt-academie-des-sciences
The IMT – Académie des sciences Emerging Prize: https://www.academie-sciences.fr/en/imt-academie-des-sciences-emerging-prize

URJC brings together European Experts in Educational Innovation at the EULiST Summer School “Active Learning for European Universities”

16/07/2026

The event brought together faculty members, researchers, and specialists in educational innovation, providing a forum to reflect on the future of European higher education and to exchange experiences on active learning methodologies.

Over the course of the two-day programme, participants explored some of the most innovative teaching approaches currently transforming higher education across Europe. Topics covered included Challenge-Based Learning, Research-Based Learning, Project-Based Learning, Community-Engaged Learning, the Flipped Classroom, and Design Thinking—approaches that foster more participatory learning, connect education with real-world challenges, and support the development of transversal competences.

The programme, delivered entirely in English, included a keynote lecture, six thematic sessions, a practical workshop, and a round-table discussion. The participation of international experts from EULiST partner universities, alongside faculty members from URJC and other Spanish universities with extensive experience in teaching innovation, reinforced the international and interdisciplinary nature of the initiative.

The first day featured a workshop based on the “World Café” methodology, a participatory format that enabled attendees to exchange experiences, identify common challenges, and discuss the implementation of active learning methodologies in higher education. Through collaborative discussion tables, faculty members and experts from the different universities of the EULiST Alliance shared best practices and proposals aimed at promoting more innovative, inclusive, and student-centred teaching models.

One of the main objectives of the course was to encourage the exchange of best practices and to build collaborative networks among educators from the participating institutions. In this regard, the event provided an opportunity to share experiences, discuss current challenges in higher education, and analyse strategies that can help advance more flexible, inclusive, and student-centred teaching models.

The organisation of this summer school reflects EULiST’s commitment to educational transformation and to the development of an increasingly connected, innovative, and collaborative European higher education area. Through initiatives such as this one, the Alliance promotes knowledge exchange among European universities and supports new forms of learning capable of addressing the social and technological challenges of the twenty-first century.

Whole information related to the event: https://eulist.urjc.es/urjc-brings-together-european-experts-in-educational-innovation-at-the-eulist-summer-school-active-learning-for-european-universities/?media_link=1

Date and location of the event
Dates: 2nd and 3rd July 2026
Location: Aranjuez Campus, Rey Juan Carlos University, Madrid

The European Dimension of Greek Universities: Trends, Challenges and Prospects

16/07/2026

University of Ioannina, 22 June 2026

The 3rd Meeting of the Network of Greek Higher Education Institutions participating in the European Universities Initiative was held with great success and broad institutional representation on 22 June 2026 at the University of Ioannina.

The event brought together representatives from across the Greek higher education sector, reaffirming the growing role of European University Alliances in shaping the future of higher education in Europe.

Organized under the coordination of the ARTEMIS Alliance, in which the University of Ioannina participates, and attended by the Deputy Minister of Education, Religious Affairs and Sports, Professor Nikos Papaioannou, the meeting highlighted that the future of higher education is being built through cooperation, networking and the European transformation of universities.

Representatives from fourteen of the sixteen Greek universities involved in European University Alliances, along with Rectors, Vice-Rectors, members of university governing boards, institutional coordinators and alliance staff, participated in the discussions. Also present were the national representatives to the European University Association (EUA) and the National Erasmus+ Agency (IKY), further underlining the strategic importance of the meeting and the strong alignment between national and European higher education priorities. The strong presence of senior academic leaders showcased the commitment of Greek universities to strengthening their European engagement and advancing common educational and research priorities.

The National Technical University of Athens (NTUA), as a member of the EULiST Alliance, was represented by the Vice Rector for Academic Affairs and Lifelong Learning, Professor Athanasios Zisis; the Scientific Coordinator of EULiST NTUA, Professor Emerita Katerina Adam; the Chair of Task 2.1 EULiST Digital Campus, Professor Effie Demopoulou; and the EULiST NTUA Local Coordinator and Head of the International Relations and European Union Department, Antonia Lampropoulou.

A key focus of the meeting was the evaluation of the progress achieved by the alliances, the exchange of good practices and the development of joint proposals to further enhance the European dimension of Greek higher education. Discussions addressed digital transformation, sustainable funding models, institutional strengthening, joint degree programs, and the promotion of research and innovation at the European level.

Particular attention was given to the presentation of the EULiST Digital Campus, which demonstrated how innovative digital solutions can support collaboration, mobility and educational excellence across Europe. Greek universities showcased a strong capacity to contribute strategic ideas, practical solutions and innovative approaches, leaving a highly positive impression on participants and reinforcing Greece’s position as an active and constructive partner within the European Universities Initiative.

The main conclusion emerged from the meeting: European Universities are no longer merely an internationalisation project; they are becoming the environment in which the university of the future is being shaped—more open, interconnected and resilient, where education, research and innovation flourish through cross-border cooperation.

The meeting concluded with the discussion and endorsement of a Joint Declaration on “Securing the Future of European Universities in the 2028–2034 Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF)”, reflecting the shared commitment of Greek universities to ensuring the sustainability and continued development of the European Universities Initiative through adequate long-term funding and coordinated institutional action.

This successful gathering demonstrated the collective strength of Greek higher education institutions, their growing influence within the European Higher Education Area, and their determination to contribute actively to the future of European academic cooperation.