U!REKA Connects 2025
May 21 - May 22
U!REKA Connects is an annual event, where the U!REKA community and stakeholders can meet and expand their networks. This year, Metropolia has the pleasure of organizing the event in the Helsinki metropolitan area.
See below for more information on the event programme, registration and call for proposals.
We are excited to share this experience with you – a warm welcome to all to Helsinki!
For this year’s event U!REKA Connects offers an opportunity to join the event virtually from abroad! By registering for the Live Stream, you will be able to join the Wednesday morning program on the 21st of May from 9:00-12:00 (EEST UTC+3).
Register for the U!REKA Connects 2025 Live Stream!
U!REKA Connects 2025 program*
Tuesday 20 May 2025
Working meetings for those involved in U!REKA governance bodies and work packages
Meetings of U!REKA deans and heads of schools and directors in charge of strategic development (on personal invitation)
15:00-18:00: Educational Forum – Presentations, workshops, and discussions focusing on the core areas of U!REKA education: staff training, common educational collaborative programs, as well as collaborative micro credentials. Presenting and finalizing the framework for challenge-based collaborative education (open to all)
Wednesday 21 May 2025
Joint programme for everyone. Theme of the day: European University Alliances and their transformational role for Europe.
9:00 – 9:30: Welcome
(Riitta Konkola CEO and President of Metropolia UAS, Chair of U!REKA European University, Henri Van de Coevering Student council representative of U!REKA European University, Juhana Vartiainen Mayor, City of Helsinki, Johanna Moisio Secretary General, Research and Innovation Council)
9:30 – 9:50: Recent EU developments and expectations towards European Universities (Susanne Conze Head of Unit, European Comission, DG EAC)
9:50 – 10:00: U!REKA framework & contribution to European Education and Research Area (Mona Roman Reserch Director, Metropolia UAS, Lead Coordinator of U!REKA European University and Faidra Diona, Project Officer, European Commission, DG EACEA)
10:00 – 10:15: Break
10:15 – 11:00: Let´s discuss European degrees and campuses
(John Edwards General Secretary, EURASHE, Sirpa Moitus Counsellor of Evaluation, Finnish Education Evaluation Centre (FINEEC), Marjaana Mäkelä Principal Lecturer, Haaga-Helia UAS and Ulusseys European University, Sakari Heikkilä Project Manager, Digi-Visio, CSC IT Center for Science, Koen Goethals President, HOGENT University of Applied Sciences and Arts, U!REKA European University, Chair: Niina Huovinen, Manager Metropolia UAS, U!REKA Institutional Coordinator)
11:00 – 11:15: Short reflection, activation of the audience
11:15 – 12:00: Let´s dream about Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities
(Thomas Osdoba Senior Advisor, EIT Climate-KIC, Managing Director, NetZeroCities, Geleyn Meijer Rector, Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences, U!REKA European University, Jan Horák Specialist of Strategic Planning Unit, City of Ostrava, Simon Lindörfer Manager, Europe Direct Relais Rhein-Main, District of Offenbach, Eira Linko Project Lead, NEUTRALPATH-project, City of Vantaa, Chair: Anna-Stina Tähkävuori, Innovation Director, Smart and Creative City, Metropolia UAS)
12:00 – 13:00: Lunch
13:00 – 16:00: Parallel sessions: Let´s dive deeper 1
18:00 – 20:00: Dinner
Thursday 22 May 2025
Joint programme for everyone. Theme of the day: Best practices in European University Alliances for challenge-based and collaborative learning and innovation.
9:00 – 9:20: Welcome to the 2nd day
(Heidi Rontu vice-president Education, Metropolia UAS, Anna-Maria Vilkuna, RDI Director Metropolia UAS)
9:20 – 10:30: Let’s benchmark education and services in European University Alliances
(Anna Stina Sinisalo Head of Development at University of Helsinki (UNA Europa Alliance, Saara Linden Project Manager at Häme University of Applied Sciences (RUN-EU Alliance), Leigh-Anne Rauhala Senior Lecturer and Researcher at Metropolia UAS (U!REKA Alliance), Michel Vorenhout Lecturer at Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences (U!REKA Alliance)
9:20 – 10:30 Let’s benchmark R&I ecosystem collaboration in European University Alliances
(Christine Marie Hante-Koch CoSpace Officer, COLOURS Alliance, Paderborn University, Timo Taskinen Senior Advisor, Research and Innovation Services, University of Jyväskylä, FORTHEM alliance, Jose Camposano, Research Manager, EU Advocacy and International Project Activities, Metropolia UAS, U!REKA Alliance)
10:30 – 10:45: Break
10:45 – 12:00 Parallel program: Let’s dive deeper 2
12:00 – 13:00: Lunch
13:00 – 15:00 Parallel program : Let’s dive deeper 3
15:00 – 16:00: U!REKA awards and closing ceremony
Friday 23 May 2025
Opportunity to organise further meetings and meet Metropolia colleagues on different campuses.
9:00 – 12:15: Exploring Clean and sustainable solutions innovation hub and collaborative platforms: Workshops/Presentations, discussions on potential project ideas, Myyrmäki campus and technical teaching facilities tour
*The program is subject to changes.
Register for U!REKA Connects
Registration for the event is closed.
Call for proposals:
Call for proposals has closed. Thank you for all submissions!
Categories for proposals:
- Collaborative and challenge-based teaching and learning for green and digital transitions or transversal skills
U!REKA strives to be a lighthouse for collaborative and challenge-based teaching and learning in Europe. We focus on educating professionals who will accelerate the green and digital transitions in our cities for a more sustainable future.
What are your experiences and ideas for shaping the future-proof urban professionals? Share them under this theme. - Co-creation of solutions for climate-neutral and smart cities
U!REKA’s vision is to create a profound shift towards climate neutral and smart cities. To get there, and to make a sustainable impact, we need solutions that are co-created across disciplines and sectors with multiple stakeholders: students, staff, researchers, external partners and the communities around us.
This theme invites contributions that focus on co-creation of impactful solutions with multiple stakeholders. - Bold innovations for inclusive university services
In U!REKA, we are committed to creating an open and welcoming environment where all students and staff members are given the support needed to ensure equal opportunities for success. Services play a key role in making sure that everyone can thrive, regardless of their background or circumstance.
If you work in higher education professional services (such as IT, HR, financial or student services, communications, research support, the library or international office) and have an innovative service concept to share, this theme is for you. - U!REKA community voices: Sharing experiences, successes and new development ideas
This theme is for all of us, because it is us, the people of U!REKA, who make the alliance and the community. Creating a space where everyone’s voice is heard and valued is important for an inclusive U!REKA, so make sure that your voice is heard and listen to the stories of others.
Under this theme we invite you to share your U!REKA story or experience, or to bring an idea for further development and improvement of our alliance
Hotel information
U!REKA Connects 2025 guests are free to book their preferred accommodation, but to make the journey easier, we have listed a few options below where reservations are available at a discounted rate.
For the Sokos Hotels and Scandic Hotels chains, the U!REKA Connects 2025 production team recommends Sokos Hotel Vaakuna and Scandic Simonkenttä due to their location and convenient transportation connections.
Sokos Hotels
Sokos Hotels offers discounted accommodation at Sokos Hotels for May 19-23, 2025 by using the reservation code WORKERY. The reservation code entitles to a 5% discount on the best available daily rates. Room rates include a buffet breakfast, complimentary Wi-Fi, guest sauna (if available), and VAT.
This special offer is valid according to the hotel availability. The number of rooms available with the reservation code is limited. Large events may restrict the availability. The discount code closes automatically when all available rooms with the code have been booked. In this case, you can book rooms online with best available daily rates or advance purchase rates. Costumer service is ready to help with any questions about our products or services. For urgent inquiries, please contact the sales service by phone. Please quote the promotional code when making a booking.
Reservations: Sokos Hotels Sales Service Centre
Telephone: +358 300 870 000 / individual room reservations
Internet: www.sokoshotels.fi/en
Reservation code: WORKERY
Radisson Hotel
Reservations: Radisson Hotels Sales Service Centre
Telephone: +358 300 870 010 / individual room reservations
Internet: www.radissonhotels.com
Reservation code: WORKER
Scandic Hotels
Scandic Hotels offers a discount on room reservations at Scandic. Reservations can be easily made through the following link: BOOK WITH SCANDIC.
Through the following link, you can directly book rooms at a discounted rate: https://www.scandichotels.com/?bookingcode=CGRO
You can choose your preferred room type and receive an additional discount when paying for the reservation upon booking. The cancellation policy for individual bookings depends on the chosen booking type. To confirm the reservation, the guest must provide valid credit card information. Rooms are subject to availability and should be booked at least 10 days before arrival.
Scandic Friends members should also check for available loyalty offers.
Telephone: 0200 81800 (charges apply : 0,65€/min + local/min)
Internet: scandichotels.fi
Hotel Finn (**)
Hotel Finn offers a discount code connects25 which is valid from 15-28 May, 2025 and applies to all room types. By applying the discount code, you will receive a -20% discount on a Twin Standard room and a -15% discount on all other room types based on the current pricing for the specified time period. You can make a reservation at a discounted price at: https://hotellifinn.fi/en/home/
Enter the code in the “Promotion code” box in the booking window and click “Search”. After this, the system will show the available room types and discounted prices, with which you can confirm the reservation. There are two different price types available. For flexible reservations, they charge the first night in advance as a reservation fee and if the reservation is canceled 48 hours before the arrival date, the prepayment will be returned to the same payment card. For non-refundable reservations, the hotel will charge the full amount in advance and the reservation cannot be changed or canceled without charge.
Please note that the room rates do not include breakfast, as the hotel does not have a restaurant. However, three cafes in the vicinity of the hotel offer breakfast at a reduced price for hotel guests. Staff will be happy to provide you with more information about this. There is also free coffee and tea at the reception during its opening hours!
Address: Kalevankatu 3 B, 00100 Helsinki
Telephone: +358 9 6844 360
Whatsapp: +358 44 7092 719
