XAMK Junior Winter School: From Idea to Disruption
The XAMK Junior Winter School in Mikkeli, Finland, held under the motto "From Idea to Disruption: Transforming Visions into Innovations," provided participants with a unique opportunity to explore the hosts' state-of-the-art education labs. Through interactive sessions and hands-on workshops, students engaged with the latest advancements in educational technologies.
As part of the program, students tackled five real-world challenges related to Finnish higher education and the South-East Finland region, and developed innovative solutions with real impact.
Event highlights:
- Staff Academy workshops: Experts from INGENIUM partner universities shared best practices in pedagogy, covering topics such as gamification in cybersecurity education, the future of urban spaces, and climate-related educational approaches from students' perspectives.
- Working meeting on advancing the INGENIUM European Campus: Led by HKA, the working group outlined the next steps toward more flexible degree programs. Discussions also focused on optimizing processes and fostering close collaboration between committees to advance joint INGENIUM degree programs.
- Experiencing Finnish culture: From snowshoeing and ice fishing to sauna sessions and ice swimming, participants embraced the Nordic way of life, creating unforgettable memories.
UNIOVI Senior Winter School: Focus on science communication
The UNIOVI Senior Winter School in Oviedo, Spain, centered on “Creativity and Communication in Research – How to Communicate Science Effectively.” Around 70 Master's and PhD students explored innovative strategies for making scientific findings accessible and engaging for a broader audience.
Event highlights:
- Keynote "Who Really Understands Scientists?": An insightful talk on the challenge of communicating science beyond academic circles.
- Workshops on science communication: Students honed their ability to present complex research results in a clear, concise, and compelling way.
- Scavenger hunt through Oviedo: A lively, interactive city tour that blended cultural exploration with networking opportunities.
A key focus was academic freedom. Through group work, participants examined real-world challenges and explored the ethical and legal dimensions of academic freedom across different countries.
Strategic developments within the INGENIUM European University
During the "10 Days of INGENIUM", high-level meetings laid the foundation for the future of the INGENIUM European University:
- The INGENIUM Alliance Council (IAC): Comprising rectors and presidents of partner universities, the council discussed strategic priorities for the alliance.
- The Steering Committee reviewed progress, addressed challenges, and advanced the implementation of key initiatives.
- The International Advisory Board (IAB) provided expert insights on innovative educational formats and the future of European University alliances.
- The INGENIUM Student Board (ISB) established internal guidelines to improve student participation and engagement.
Future plans for the INGENIUM European University:
- Development of joint PhD programs in five key areas: Artificial Intelligence, Sustainable Development, Intercultural Studies, Natural Sciences, and Health, Wellbeing, and Technology.
- Sharing resources and facilities such as labs, seminars and educational materials.
- Stronger student involvement in research projects.
- Closer collaboration with societal stakeholders and the reinforcement of governance structures.
- Research collaborations, including the feasibility analysis of a nanosatellite launch and the development of an autonomous data collection vessel.
Prof. Dr. Rose Marie Beck, who represented HKA on the INGENIUM Alliance Council in her capacity as HKA President, was highly satisfied with the alliance's promising progress. In her view, the key outcomes of the meeting were the decision to initiate the establishment of the legal entity “INGENIUM” and the proposal to enhance resource sharing, particularly in research and doctoral programs. HKA's proposal to advance the development of an autonomous, solar-powered boat as a collaborative teaching and research project among all participating universities was very well received. According to Beck, the alliance's International Advisory Board also expressed great enthusiasm for the significant progress made by the alliance.
Conclusion: Two weeks of innovation, collaboration, and intercultural exchange
The “10 Days of INGENIUM” provided participants with a unique platform to broaden their knowledge, forge new connections, and propel innovative ideas forward. The seamless blend of science, culture, and interdisciplinary collaboration has made this event a significant milestone in the development of the INGENIUM European University.
For more insights and detailed information, visit the website: https://ingenium-university.eu/