Considering the latest developments within U!REKA Alliance, U!REKA Connects focuses on 4 main themes. These themes will be developed during the Connects event via presentations, pitches and workshops that will be a selection of the more than 120 proposals the organizing committee of Connects at IPL received from U!REKA partners.

The first theme is about collaborative and challenge-based methodologies for a sustainable and digital future. Within the U!REKA Alliance, a lot of innovative pedagogies that bridge universities, cities, and communities in co-creating solutions for real-world urban challenges, are developed. During Connects participants will be able to get to know cases and expertise in innovative teaching and learning methods that foster green and digital transitions, interdisciplinary and challenge-based education models and transversal skills such as creativity, entrepreneurship, teamwork, and critical thinking. Also good practices that enhance student engagement through participatory pedagogies and co-creation of learning experiences will be presented.

The second theme is co-creating climate-neutral and smart cities. Aligned with the EU Mission on Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities, Connects will reveal projects that reimagine urban spaces as sustainable, inclusive, and resilient environments, such as student- or staff-led initiatives addressing mobility, energy, housing, or circular economy solutions, projects that promote the role of arts and cultural practices in fostering community engagement and quality of life in urban environments and cases developing policy frameworks and governance models that support sustainable urban transformation and enable collaboration between universities, municipalities, and communities.

Recognizing that transformation requires institutional change, the third theme is about  reimagining universities as inclusive, accessible, and interconnected learning environments. Inclusivity is (amongst other things) about strengthening well-being support systems and mental health resources for all university community members, students, and staff, and about policies and practices that support internationalisation and social and cultural inclusion.

The fourth theme focuses on the U!REKA community itself: inspiring stories of collaboration within the U!REKA community, that present New development ideas for education, research, entrepreneurship, or community engagement, that contribute to a shared identity and vision across all partner institutions, or strengthen student voices, staff reflections, or cross-institutional partnerships.

The call for proposals earlier this years collected more than 120 proposals, already evaluated by the scientific committee. Based on this content, aligned to the four themes, U!REKA Connects will be again a highlight of knowledge sharing, collaboration and networking. 

Awards

During U!REKA Connects, the U!REKA Awards will be announced. All members of the U!REKA community are kindly invited to nominate outstanding individuals or teams who have made a significant impact in one (or more) of the following categories during the academic year, aligning with the three values of U!REKA: cocreation, inclusion, and boldness.

Check out our call for nominations.