Join our next webinar with a short presentation by Sascha Eckhold (Freie Universität Berlin) on “Open Educational Resources and their relation to Open Science” on 4th of November from 10:00-11:30 am (CET)
You are warmly invited to find more information and registration link here: 6th ENLIGHT RISE and Arqus Alliance OS Ambassador Webinar
Are you passionate about the future of medical imaging and radiotherapy? Don’t miss the symposium “Innovations in AI for Healthcare” on November 21 and 22 at the University Medical Center Groningen in Groningen, the Netherlands! This two-day event provides a platform for experts to discuss the latest developments in AI for healthcare. Innovations in AI for Healthcare (umcgresearch.org)
15-17 October 2024 Uppsala University hosted a Staff Week with participants from all ten ENLIGHT universities. The Staff Week was created as a platform for knowledge exchange on the theme "Impactful Collaboration."
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:
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.
Are you interested in expanding your horizons and critically assessing the prospects for democracies and autocracies in the EU’s Eastern Neighbourhood? Would you like to gain a more nuanced understanding of the region and have the opportunity to apply newfound knowledge practically? Then this course is tailored for you!
In the MOOC "Democracy and Autocracy in the EU’s Eastern Neighbourhood," you'll delve into fundamental concepts while exploring key characteristics and features of democratic and autocratic systems. From understanding the conceptualization of the Eastern Neighbourhood to historical influences, this course offers a comprehensive exploration of the region's political tapestry. Throughout the five weeks, you'll acquire new knowledge and have the chance to reflect on and apply it, ensuring an enriching learning experience.
The MOOC is free of charge, fully online and offers a digital certificate upon successful completion of the course and additionally earns you 3 ECTS. Open to both University of Tartu students and the general public. Registration is open until October 31st.
Upon the successful completion of the course, you will be able to:
Enhance your career with a set of new skills, officially certified by the University of Tartu!
In addition to that, it may also help you start to prepare for your studies with us!
For more information and registration, visit this link or contact Anna Beitane, Manager of Online Learning Projects, at
This MOOC is developed within the Jean Monnet Center of Excellence "REPAIR" funded by the European Union (grant agreement 101085795). Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.
ENLIGHT European University is actively contributing to the growing movement of blended staff training, using the Erasmus+ Blended Intensive Programmes (BIPs) to offer an innovative approach to professional development. By integrating both virtual and on-site components, BIPs allow participants to benefit from immersive experiences while fostering collaboration before they meet in person.
A recent example of ENLIGHT’s commitment to this format is the 'ENLIGHT Incubator Week,' which brought together academics and support staff from various partner universities to explore curriculum internationalization. During the Incubator Week, participants engaged in collaborative group work, both online and on-site, to design international learning activities. This blended approach allowed the team to lay the groundwork through virtual preparation, followed by intensive in-person interactions to finalize their action plans.
ENLIGHT’s experience echoes the insights shared by the European Association for International Education (EAIE), which emphasizes the value of blended learning in international staff training. Both cases highlight the potential of BIPs to strengthen internationalization efforts by combining the best of virtual and physical collaboration.
To read more about successful blended staff training and the EAIE’s example, visit this article.
We are excited to announce the launch of the Faces of ENLIGHT campaign! Through this series, we will introduce you to students, teachers, and staff from across the ENLIGHT network, sharing how their involvement has impacted their personal and professional growth.
Each story highlights how ENLIGHT helps its members make a greater impact, broaden their perspectives, and foster connections that transcend borders. In the first interview, Martina Vicenova, Communication Officer at ENLIGHT European University, shares her experiences and insights into the power of the ENLIGHT network.
Stay tuned for new stories coming regularly, offering a deeper look into the diverse and dynamic people that make ENLIGHT a thriving community.
Discover more and read the full interviews on our webpage: Faces of ENLIGHT.
#FacesOfENLIGHT
