Nov 18 / Feb 28
The European University initiative,
from European policy to practice on the ground:
solutions for smart integration
18 NOVEMBER, 2021 /
28 FEBRUARY, 2022
Online, University campuses
Overview
European University alliances have started as transnational laboratories to invent and test new models of cooperation in the European Higher Education Area, laying the groundwork for the universities of the future.
The expectations are high: within three years, the first alliances are called upon to leverage significant institutional transformation involving students, staff, and stakeholders such as the local and regional ecosystems in the process.
Smart integration is one of the major challenges European Universities are facing at all levels. European Universities need to provide innovative, efficient and flexible solutions to achieve institutional integration within the alliance while safeguarding the specificities and historical identity of each member institution. They must also achieve integration of the newly formed transnational learning and research community, offering added value to each student and staff member through their membership in a European University alliance, as well as a meaningful impact of the alliance on the local economic and social ecosystem.
In the context of the transition from the Slovenian to the French Presidency of the European Union, ATHENA, the European University for a Green Digital Europe, invites other alliances and external experts to a four-part seminar series in which we reflected four transversal topics, i.e. areas in which we strive to achieve “smart integration”. The seminars took place in November and December 2021. Records of seminars are available in ATHENA YouTube Chanel.
Programme
Organised by the University of Maribor, Slovenia.
Digitalisation of processes: how much and what kind of digitalisation is meaningful for European Universities?
Transnational alliances cannot operate without digitalisation. One of the issues dealt with in this seminar concerns the alignment of university strategy with regional priorities and European policies in the field of digitalisation. The case study discussed is related to the implementation of Digital Innovation Hubs.
| 14.00 – 14.10 | Welcome to the ATHENA seminar series |
| 14.10 – 14.35 |
Regional aspects of digital transformation by the example of the Danube region
Dieter Hertweck, Faculty of Computer Science at the Reutlingen University |
| 14.35 – 15.00 |
Secure digital transformation
Marko Hölbl, University of Maribor |
| 15.00 – 15.25 |
The role of Digital Innovation Hubs in the age of digitalisation
Muhamed Turkanović, University of Maribor |
| 15.25 – 15.50 |
Accountability in the digital age
Tatjana Welzer, University of Maribor |
| 15.50 – 16.00 | Concluding Remarks |
Hybrid
Maribor, Slovenia
or online
18 November 2021
2 to 4 pm CET
Organised by the University of Siegen, Germany.
Interlinking with regional stakeholders: how can European University alliances integrate industrial innovation ecosystems?
This seminar looks at the ways in which European University alliances can work with regional ecosystems (economic partners, local authorities etc.), for mutual benefit. The main focus will be on local industry and the ways in which it can cooperate with an international university network to increase employability of university graduates and create innovative life-long learning opportunities.
Keynotes
Panel discussion
Hybrid
Siegen, Germany
or online
30 November 2021
4 to 6 pm CET
Delouis
Haring Bolívar
Organised by the University of Orléans, France.
Fostering linguistic diversity: how can European Universities become truly multilingual?
In this seminar, participants will discuss the ways in which alliances can strengthen the role of local languages in their international activities. Conversely, in the many learning and communication situations where English has to serve as the lingua franca, how can linguistic quality be sustained?
| 14.00 – 14.05 | Welcome |
| Part I: Linguistic diversity in organisations | |
| 14.05 – 14.20 |
Multilingualism and inclusive governance within EPICUR European University
Dr Anouk Tso, University of Amsterdam |
| 14.20 – 14.35 |
Challenges of foreign language learning in the development of bi-, trinational and European integrated programmes
Dr Marjorie Berthomier, Université Franco-Allemande – Deutsch-Französische Hochschule |
| 14.35 – 14.50 |
VILNIUS TECH journey to create a portfolio of English-taught study programmes
Dr Asta Radzevičienė, Vilnius Gediminas Technical University – VILNIUS TECH |
| Part II: Creative approaches to language learning | |
| 14.50 – 15.05 |
Adapting a wide education offer to meet learners’ needs: The French Institute at the University of Orléans
Dr Marie Skrovec, University of Orléans |
| 15.05 – 15.20 |
Improving language skills outside the classroom: the example of an online language café
Merle Bollmann, University of Siegen |
| 15.20 – 15.35 |
Not only English. A case of use of multilingualism at the University of Maribor – JoinEU SEE
Mladen Kraljić, University of Maribor |
| 15.35 – 15.50 |
Smart solutions for everyday multilingual challenges
Aleksandra Sokolova, Vilnius Gediminas Technical University – VILNIUS TECH |
| 15.50 – 16.00 | Discussion and concluding remarks |
Online
Online
7 December 2021
2 to 4 pm CET
Organised by the Polytechnic Institute of Porto, Portugal.
Legal frameworks for effective cooperation: what can be done to speed up the transformation of higher education in Europe?
This seminar addresses a series of challenges that European Universities face in practice when building student centred educational paths combining the curricula from different universities, distinct nationalities, and novel channels. A central issue is the formal recognition of virtual and blended mobility.
| 14.00 – 14.10 |
Welcome. The ATHENA educational model in a nutshell.
Nuno Escudeiro, Coordinator of the ATHENA alliance, Polytechnic Institute of Porto, Portugal |
| 14.10 – 14.25 |
Development and internationalization of higher education in Italy
Federico Cinquepalmi, Director of the office for the development and internationalization of higher education, Ministry of Education, University and Research, Italy |
| 14:25 – 15:30 | Round table National challenges to the implementation of the European Universities initiative |
| Panel: | |
| Andrius Zalitis - Advisor to the Minister of Education, Science and Sport, Lithuania | |
| Anna Thorwart - Coordinator of the NeurotechEU at U Bonn, leader of the DAAD EUN forum on recognition and ECTS under EUi, Germany | |
| Božidar Grigić - Head of the Higher Education Unit, CMEPIUS Erasmus+ national agency, Slovenia | |
| Gustavo Alva-Rosa - Higher Education Unit, ERASMUS+ National Agency for Education and Training, Portugal | |
| Katharina Sommer - Head of International Student Affairs, University of Siegen, Germany | |
| Maria Teresa Restivo - Administration Board, A3ES - national body for the certification of higher education, Portugal | |
| Thomas Seeger - Vice dean for quality and international affairs, University of Siegen, Germany | |
| Moderator: | Alberto Peixoto Pinto, Polytechnic Institute of Porto, Portugal |
| 15.30 – 15.55 | Questions & Answers |
| 15.55 – 16.00 | Concluding remarks |
Link to 
sessionHybrid
Porto, Portugal
or online
14 December 2021
2 to 4 pm CET
Organised by the University of Orléans, France.
The European University initiative, from European policy to practice on the ground: Solutions for smart integration
This event figures in the programme of the French Presidency of the European Union and is supported by the French embassies in Germany, Slovenia and Portugal.
On the basis of exchanges within the alliance, with other alliances and external experts in the four seminars, ATHENA, the European University for a Green Digital Europe, organises a round-table discussion with major stakeholders, considering effective solutions for the main challenges that European University alliances face today.
Panellists
- Vanessa Debiais-Sainton, Head of the Unit in charge of Higher Education Policies and Programme at the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Education, Youth, Sport and Culture
- Professor Anne-Sophie Barthez, Director General of Higher Education, French Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Innovation
- Professor Philippe Gréciano, President of the French-German University (Université franco-allemande / Deutsch-Französische Hochschule)
- Professor Peter Haring Bolívar, Chair of the EUA Innovation Ecosystems Expert Group, University of Siegen, Germany / ATHENA European University
- Professor Zdravko Kačič, Rector of the University of Maribor, Slovenia / ATHENA European University
- Professor Teresa Restivo, Administration Board of the Portuguese Agency for Assessment and Accreditation of Higher Education Programmes (A3ES)
Hybrid
Orléans, France
or online
28 February 2021
2 to 4 pm CET
Partners
Contact
Building the universities for the future
