UPEC takes part in the 2024 Aurora biannual in Naples

A symbolic spring biannual

Between 27th and 30th of May, the Aurora community gathered in the historic city of Naples for the alliance's spring biannual, organised by the University Federico II of Naples (UNINA).
The year 2024 also marks the 800th anniversary of UNINA. This anniversary is a reminder of the importance and transformative potential of universities. By situating Aurora's contemporary goals within this historical framework, the biannualdid not only celebrated the past. It also inspired the Aurora community to continue shaping a better society through collaboration in education and research.

Aurora reaffirmed its commitment to sustainable development, with the signing of the Common Footprint Reduction Plan by the Rectors of its member universities. With this signature, UPEC reaffirmed its commitment to make our campuses more sustainable. 

Another highlight of the event was the handover of the Aurora presidency from the Rector of the University of Iceland, Jón Atli Benediktsson, to the Rector of Palacký University Olomouc, Martin Procházka. Aurora's new president expressed his desire to continue to work closely with students : 

It will be my goal to continue working on creating a student-centred and inclusive environment within Aurora, where students are truly heard.

Progress of working groups, conferences and participative workshops
 

The event covered a series of key thought-provoking topics:

• joint education programs
• stakeholder engagement
• student issues
• citizen science and participatory democracy, with a presentation by Emilie Frenkiel
• vulnerability, with a day of workshops co-organised by UPEC, as co-lead of the task-team 2.3 "Establishing the Hub for Health & Well-Being"
• a day's work on the joint Master's degree in Global Citizenship and the Digital Society (EURIDICE).

Work packages and task teams were also able to meet during collaborative sessions. The progress made at this meetings underlines the impact that such an alliance can have on international collaboration in higher education to achieve common goals.
 

Some key figures from the first phase of the programs: 

• more than 1,100 staff exchanges
• more than 3,880 student exchanges, including 170 students in innovation and social entrepreneurship programs and 600 students in research and innovation programs
• creation of 20 joint courses
• 50 courses made available in the joint Aurora catalogue

We look forward to seeing you at the next spring biannual, to be held at UPEC from 19 to 23 May 2025.