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get to know eciu
in brussels

ECIU is a strong advocate in Brussels for innovative universities. We believe that close collaboration across Europe between cities and regions, businesses, and citizens, coupled with bold educational innovations are essential for our learners, teachers, researchers and society in general.

ECIU works together with European stakeholders, policy makers, politicians and opinion leaders to further develop innovative universities. e.g. in European knowledge programmes, like Erasmus+ and Horizon Europe.

ECIU has an office in Brussels, headed by Olga Wessels, to closely follow-up on all the latest EU programmes and R&I Policy developments. In addition, we also have an expert group on R&I Policy and Programmes' with our institutional experts. Within the network, ECIU members seek joint action towards the European institutions to influence the debate on European funding programmes and policy. Here, ECIU with its specific profile can offer a unique view on the needs for modern and innovative universities.

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Featured News & Events

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Learners
Business & Society
University Staff
Researchers
EU Affairs
June 17, 2022

Presentation of the third ECIU University Micro-Credentials paper: A vision for European learners, values, and priorities

EU Affairs
EVENT
‍On 17 June, ECIU University presented its third paper on micro-credentials, outlining both actions taken by ECIU University and Europe, and advising on the future of micro-credentials.
June 17, 2022

ECIU welcomes the EU Member States commitment to micro-credentials

EU Affairs
EVENT
ECIU University welcomes the adopted Council Recommendation on micro-credentials for lifelong learning and employability by EU Member States on 16 June 2022.
June 9, 2022

Board meeting in Kaunas: setting strategic directions and opening of ECIU University space

University Staff
EVENT
On 9-10 June the ECIU University Board, composed of the Rectors, Directors and Vice-rectors of the ECIU member universities, convened at Kaunas University of Technology (KTU), Lithuania.
May 30, 2022

The future of research is Challenge-Based

EU Affairs
EVENT
On 24 May, ECIU University presented its Challenge-Based Research strategy to stakeholders and policy-makers at a hybrid event in Brussels. The European Commission expressed strong support for using this document...
May 27, 2022

ECIU University challenges at UniTrento: Sustainable telecommunications and remote work in the mountains

Learners
EVENT
More than 40 students from ECIU member universities have spent a few days in Val di Sole to solve two challenges proposed by companies and organisations from the Trento region.
May 23, 2022

Erasmus+ Blended Intensive Programme participant about meeting in Kaunas: “There is much more diversity in Europe than I initially thought”

Learners
EVENT
Can you combine the sustainability topic, learning new languages and change of perspective on Europe? Participation in the Erasmus+ Blended Intensive programme (BIP) “Green cities” did just that.
April 27, 2022

The participants of ECIU University micro-module on the intercultural competences met in Toulouse

Learners
EVENT
INSA Toulouse hosted its first ECIU University mobility event as a part of an international ECIU micro-module. From the 4th to the 8th of April, students from all over Europe gathered in Toulouse, France
March 30, 2022

Shaping the campus of the future: International students working towards a climate-neutral campus

Learners
EVENT
Nine international master’s degree students from seven ECIU member universities met up on the campus of TUHH on 28th and 29th March 2022. These students took up the ECIU University challenge “Climate-Neutral Campus in Europe”.
November 11, 2021

Local Partnership Arena at INSA: 70 participants co-creating challenges related to circular economy

Business & Society
EVENT
INSA Toulouse organised its first Local Partnership Arena on the 4th of November 2021 on the INSA Campus of Toulouse. The theme of this arena was circular economy.
September 23, 2019

UiS leading a national network for innovation in the public sector

Business & Society
EVENT
A new network convenes nearly 150 researchers from all over Norway. The goal is to connect researchers and render visible the innovation efforts in the public sector.
April 21, 2020

A new way of working: external societal stakeholders on board

Business & Society
EVENT
The ECIU University is not shy in taking a novel approach to its board. Not only board members of all the member universities call the shots, seven so-called external, societal stakeholders also take up a pivotal role on the board.
March 29, 2021

Kampusareena receives award for the sustainable development of facilities

Business & Society
EVENT
The Kampusareena building on the Hervanta campus of the Tampere Universities community has been awarded for its merits in sustainable development.
June 9, 2022

Board meeting in Kaunas: setting strategic directions and opening of ECIU University space

University Staff
EVENT
On 9-10 June the ECIU University Board, composed of the Rectors, Directors and Vice-rectors of the ECIU member universities, convened at Kaunas University of Technology (KTU), Lithuania.
May 16, 2022

Master's insert 'Shaping Responsible Futures' of the University of Twente wins the Dutch Higher Education Award

University Staff
EVENT
The Master's insert 'Shaping Responsible Futures' of the University of Twente has won the Dutch Higher Education Award. The prize is also accompanied by a sum of EUR 1.2 million.
March 16, 2022

The growing ECIU community of teamchers

University Staff
EVENT
This spring marks the 4th semester of challenges in the ECIU University, and the growing community of teamchers: teachers and staff members who facilitate learner groups while solving challenges.
March 11, 2022

Post of rector of the University of Aveiro: Call for Applications

University Staff
EVENT
The University of Aveiro hereby publicly announces the opening of a call for applications for the position of Rector.
February 11, 2022

Hamburg University of Technology seeks Professor Quantum

Researchers
EVENT
The School of Electrical Engineering, Computer Science and Mathematics at Hamburg University of Technology (TUHH) is seeking applications for an endowed professorship (w3) in the field of quantum inspired and quantum optimization.
February 3, 2022

SMART-ER Co-creation workshop for Citizen Science Pilots

Researchers
EVENT
Join us at the 1st ECIU Citizen Science Co-creation workshop on the 3rd FEBRUARY from 10.00-13.00h CET. Teams will co-design trans-national collaborations with the option of funding from the SMART-ER Project.
March 4, 2021

IEEE TEMS conference „Leading Digital Transformation in Business and Society“

Researchers
EVENT
Call for papers: IEE TEMS conference „Leading Digital Transformation in Business and Society“ to be held in Kaunas University of Technology (KTU), Lithuania, August 24 – 27, 2021.
February 17, 2021

ECIU University – towards a virtual research institute

Researchers
EVENT
On the first week of February, 2021 the new project of the European Union's research and innovation funding program Horizon 2020 (H2020) "ECIU University Research Institute for Smart European Regions" (SMART-ER) was launched.
June 17, 2022

Presentation of the third ECIU University Micro-Credentials paper: A vision for European learners, values, and priorities

EU Affairs
EVENT
‍On 17 June, ECIU University presented its third paper on micro-credentials, outlining both actions taken by ECIU University and Europe, and advising on the future of micro-credentials.
June 17, 2022

ECIU welcomes the EU Member States commitment to micro-credentials

EU Affairs
EVENT
ECIU University welcomes the adopted Council Recommendation on micro-credentials for lifelong learning and employability by EU Member States on 16 June 2022.
May 30, 2022

The future of research is Challenge-Based

EU Affairs
EVENT
On 24 May, ECIU University presented its Challenge-Based Research strategy to stakeholders and policy-makers at a hybrid event in Brussels. The European Commission expressed strong support for using this document...
May 12, 2022

ECIU event on micro-credentials - key-note by Commissioner Schmit

EU Affairs
EVENT
Join us to discuss the micro-credentials' political momentum and practical implementation. ECIU University invites you to the presentation of its third micro-credentials paper on 17 June at 9:30CET at an online event.
See all news

Our Engagement
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Joint Consortium Responses and Position Papers

Expert Groups

The ECIU Expert Group R&I Policy and Programmes (R&I Group) represents all member universities and is open to all research managers and administrators providing research and innovation services, i.e. funding, in ECIU.

The current members are: 

  • Anne D. Sand, Aalborg University
  • ‍Luísa Fernandes, University of Aveiro
  • ‍Nuria Claver, Autonomous University of Barcelona
  • ‍Sophie Ball, Dublin City University
  • ‍Monica Schofield, Hamburg University of Technology
  • ‍Laure Fabre, Sebastièn Leveneur, INSA Group
  • ‍Vilma Karobliené, Kaunas University of Technology
  • ‍Agnieszka Tiele, Lodz University of Technology
  • ‍Svjetlana Stekovic, Linköping University
  • ‍Antonio Pita Szczesniewski, TEC de Monterrey
  • ‍Kyrre Aas, Stavanger University
  • ‍Jörg Langwaldt, Tampere University (Chair)
  • Barbara Zamboni, University of Trento
  • ‍Telma Esteves, Andrea Guarise, University of Twente 

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The ECIU Expert Group Educational Cooperation Policy and Programmes (Edu Group) is open to all Erasmus+ managers and administrators working on external funding support from member universities of ECIU.

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The current members are:

  • Trym Holbek, University of Stavanger (Chair)
  • ‍Olga Faberland, University of Stavanger
  • ‍Xavier Biarnés, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona
  • ‍Laure Fabre, INSA Toulouse
  • ‍Kirsi Hasanen, Tampere University
  • ‍Viviana Caldara, University of Trento
  • ‍Nicole Frei, Hamburg University of Technology
  • ‍Niall Power, Universidade de Aveiro
  • ‍Sophie Ball, Dublin City University
  • ‍Vilma Karobliene, Kaunas University of Technology
  • ‍Nils Peter Terp Uhre, Aalborg Universitet
  • ‍Dorota Piotrowska, Lodz University of Technology
  • ‍Koen de Pryck, University of Twente

 

The aims of both groups are to:

  • Foster best-practice exchange (in R&I and in Educational Cooperation)
  • Support ECIU initiatives related to EU affairs 
  • Strategic foresight and proactive identification of funding opportunities and coordinate joint proposals
  • Gain and share intelligence
  • Support bottom-up initiatives of academic staff members of ECIU Universities for research /educational proposals or initiate project applications for calls that are using ECIU as a framework

Strategic European Projects Office

What is SEPO

SEPO is a platform to pool expertise for all external grants and funding opportunities relating to ECIU University priorities and needs according to the Vision 2030 and the ECIU thematic action plans.

It is composed of:

  • Members of the Research & Innovation (R&I) Group and of the Educational Cooperation Policy and Programmes (Edu) Group[PL(S1] ;
  • European Funding Adviser.
  • It has a SEPO core team, composed of the European funding adviser, the two chairs of the ECIU expert groups R&I and Edu, and the head of the ECIU Brussels office. The latter links the operations of SEPO with the Brussels networks and the European Commission through lobbying and information-sharing efforts.

Aims of SEPO

SEPO has the following aims:

  • to pool expertise for all external grants and funding opportunities relating to ECIU University priorities and needs according to the Vision 2030 and the ECIU thematic action plans
  • to scout for funding opportunities
  • to provide strategic support decisions for project development, and lead initiatives for R& I and educational project proposals in line with the Vision 2030 and the ECIU thematic action plans
  • to provide a competence centre for training, capacity building, and project management communities
  • to act as a lobbying mechanism towards the EU and national level regarding funding and financial investments, in close cooperation with the ECIU Brussels office.
  • Through the R&I and Edu group, to support bottom-up initiatives of academic staff “making use” of the ECIU as a framework and using it to prove the sustainable, long-term collaboration of the project, and for projects which support the research or education agenda

For information, please contact lpaternoster@eciu.org‍

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