NEWS & EVENTS

More than 150 representatives from 10 ENLIGHT universities gathered at the University of Galway from 3–5 June 2026 for the ENLIGHT Mid-Year Meeting. Held under the theme Culture and Creativity, the three-day event brought together university leaders, researchers, educators, professional staff and students from across the alliance to review progress, strengthen collaboration and prepare for the next phase of ENLIGHT's development.

From inspiring international collaborations to innovative teaching initiatives, Elsy Verhofstadt has discovered how ENLIGHT transforms shared educational ambitions into meaningful action. In this edition of Faces of ENLIGHT, she reflects on the power of community, the value of cross-border partnerships, and why ENLIGHT is a place where education truly takes centre stage. 

Taking place 14–15 October 2026 in Bern, Switzerland, this Regional Academy brings together academics, public authorities, industry actors, and local communities to explore how research can offer answers to challenges related to food systems. Using the established AIMday concept, researchers will meet representatives from external organisations to discuss real world challenges.

At the heart of the ENLIGHT alliance lies a commitment to challenge-based learning and collaboration across borders. The GroUp initiative is a one of the examples of this approach in practice—bringing together universities, public institutions and industry partners to co-create solutions to pressing societal issues.

The ENLIGHT alliance is built on connecting universities, regions and wider society to address real-world challenges. A compelling example of this approach can be seen in the collaboration between Uppsala University, Region Gotland, and the wider ENLIGHT alliance network, where an existing regional initiative was transformed into an international platform for dialogue and collaboration.

The cooperation with Clowndoctors exemplifies the ENLIGHT spirit: combining academic expertise with external partners’ experience to generate real societal impact. What began as a challenge has grown into an international collaboration that connects universities, medical professionals, and artists across Europe.

Researchers from the PLANTED Project are exploring new ways to tackle water pollution caused by emerging contaminants, including “forever chemicals” and pharmaceutical residues. In this episode, Indrek Jõgi explains how innovative plasma-based technologies could help turn wastewater into a sustainable resource for agriculture and support a healthier environment. Listen now here to discover how science is reshaping the future of water.

Alexandra Reynolds, a passionate educator who has turned cross-border collaboration into a mission. Through ENLIGHT’s virtual exchanges and international projects, she has helped students step beyond classrooms and into real global conversations. In this heartfelt interview, she shares what drives her, the challenges she’ has faced, and why the journey, though demanding, is always worth it. Read the full interview here.

The third and final ENLIGHT Incubator Grants call officially closed this spring, once again demonstrating strong engagement across the alliance and a growing interest in innovative joint educational cooperation.