NEWS & EVENTS

How can we make teaching and learning more inclusive and diverse through critical virtual exchange and inclusive group work and feedback? How can role-playing games help our students explore issues of inclusion? What is conflict transformation? What new resources are being developed for the inclusive teacher? How can we adapt to include everyone? These are just some of the topics that will be covered on October 29 at the ROCKET outreach event. Participants will be encouraged to interact and experience the tools as much as possible.

As part of the official programme of the Royal State Visit to France on 15 October 2024, ENLIGHT had the privilege to exchange with His Majesty King Filip of Belgium about the value of international learning to empower students with the right knowledge and future-proof skills to address today's and future global transitions.

From the outset, ENLIGHT has focused on developing innovative, quality-driven courses anchored in real-world complex challenges offering our students an opportunity to meet and work with international peers, acquire broad competences, and learn from different European and global cultures, in different languages and across borders, sectors and academic disciplines.

Besides joint courses, student are also at the heart of ENLIGHT in another way. Beyond education our mission to 'empower students' is also reflected in the ENLIGHT Student Network. As a distinct feature and established 'by and for students' from all ENLIGHT universities, the ENLIGHT Student Network plays a critical advisory role in our alliances and are the motor behind many student-led initiatives that foster inclusivity and sustainability thinking.

During a round-table with peer alliances, Ghent University Rector Rik Van de Walle, and University of Bordeaux Vice president Joanne Pagèze were proud to introduce two of our most prominent ENLIGHT students: Romy POLEYN, from Ghent University, and Clara POTIÉ, from the University of Bordeaux. Both have been active as student representatives in our ENLIGHT Student Network. Both were also among the first cohorts of students who took part in the very first ENLIGHT joint course pilots.

The United Nations General Assembly designated October 1 as the International Day of Older Persons. Under the flagship of Equity in ENLIGHT, we believe in raising awareness of opportunities, but also challenges faced by ageing populations. 

On October 11, 2024, ENLIGHT Regional Academy of Comenius University Bratislava held a lecture for students of the CU University of the Third Age. Its topic was the work of the Public Defender of Rights. The lecture was led by Tomáš Čitbaj, Director General of the Department for the Protection of Fundamental Rights and Freedoms from the Office of the Public Defender of Rights.

In his presentation, Mr. Čitbaj focused not only on the theoretical foundations and competencies of the Public Defender of Rights but also provided practical advice for seniors. Students received legal information on challenges regarding senior rights, such as answer to the questions:

• What rights do seniors have?
• How can they defend themselves against discrimination or unfair treatment?
• What should seniors avoid, and what should they be cautious about in everyday life?

Mr. Čitbaj also highlighted the options offered by the Public Defender of Rights for resolving issues faced by seniors and provided several examples from his practice where the Office helped seniors achieve justice. The discussion on specific cases of senior rights violations was also insightful. The lecture was enriching and provided participants with valuable information they can apply in various life situations.

Igor Farkaš, a prominent expert in artificial intelligence (AI), received the 2024 ESET Science Award in the category of Outstanding Personality in University Education. As a professor at Comenius University Bratislava and the associate chair of the Department of Applied Informatics, Farkaš has significantly contributed to AI research, particularly in the area of neural networks inspired by the human brain. His research focuses on the intersection of AI and robotics, particularly humanoid robots.

Farkaš's work extends beyond academia; he is passionate about teaching and motivating students in cognitive science and AI. His dedication to popularizing AI and interdisciplinary research has positioned him as a leader in the Slovak scientific community. He also oversees Slovakia's only interdisciplinary Master's program in Cognitive Science, aimed at advancing understanding of the human mind through AI.

We are glad Igor Farkaš is part of the ENLIGHT community and was previously involved f.e. in the lecture series “Digital Revolution and Impact of Digitization”.

The ESET Science Award is the most prestigious award of its kind in Slovakia, and this year it was chaired by Nobel laureate Emmanuelle Charpentier. It honors scientists whose research has a meaningful impact on society, and Farkaš’s contributions to AI and education are exemplary in this regard. His vision of AI, especially in the development of humanoid robots, underscores his optimism about the future of AI, while also acknowledging the need for careful regulation and ethical considerations.

The ENLIGHT Teaching and Learning conference at University of Tartu began with a pre-event filled with engaging workshops. In the evening, the participants had a tasteful dinner accompanied with the 𝗜𝗻𝗰𝗹𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗦𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗔𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱𝘀🏆 opened byTiina Jaksman, Coordinator of ENLIGHT at University of Tartu.

We’re excited for the winners! Here are the first three places for the 𝗜𝗻𝗰𝗹𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱, announced by the Vice-rectorAune Valk:

🥉 Iker Callado Iza for the 𝗜𝗸𝗮𝘀𝗟𝗮𝗴𝘂𝗻 project that provides academic and emotional support to children under the guardianship of the council at Universidad del País Vasco/Euskal Herriko Unibertsitatea
🥉 𝗔𝗱𝗵𝗮𝗺 𝗔𝗹𝗮𝗮 𝗜𝗯𝗿𝗮𝗵𝗶𝗺 𝗘𝗹-𝗗𝗮𝗯𝗮𝗮 𝗔𝗵𝗺𝗲𝗱 for his 𝗥𝗮𝗺𝗮𝗱𝗮𝗻 "𝗕𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗸 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗙𝗮𝘀𝘁" 𝗘𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁 at University of Groningen
🥈Madeleine Moffatt for Freedom & justice for Palestinian people project at University of Galway
🥇Gaëlle 𝗟𝗲𝗼𝗻 for her project that made the Ghent University more accessible for people with disabilities

Gijs Coucke, Executive Secretary of ENLIGHT announced the 𝗦𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗔𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱 winners:

🥉Emmy Sköld for the 𝗚𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸 project at Uppsala University
🥈Peter O'Neill on behalf of Molly Hickey for their 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝘆𝗰𝗹𝗲𝗱 𝗥𝘂𝗻𝘄𝗮𝘆 project at University of Galway
🥇𝗝𝗼𝗻𝗮𝘀 𝗟𝘂𝗰𝗸𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗱𝘁 for his 𝗖𝗶𝘁𝗶𝘇𝗲𝗻 𝗥𝗲𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗱𝘂𝗺 "𝗥𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗶𝗱" 𝗚𝗼𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗻, who led two referendums for improved bicycle infrastructure at The University of Göttingen and gathered more than 9000 signatures.

These awards are celebrating student-led initiatives across ENLIGHT European University universities! Congratulations to all the winners for their inspiring work related to inclusion and sustainability.

Tune in for the Teaching and Learning Award Ceremony on 8 October at 18:00 EEST.