Within the partnership, we plan to establish four joint centres. Umeå, together with the University of Fribourg, will be responsible for one of them: the Centre for Future European Education and Joint Research. Last week, it was finally time for the first working group meeting to discuss more concretely the possibilities and practical conditions for a rewarding collaborative effort. The activities of the Centre for Educational Development (UPL) and our new Learning Lab are some areas where we anticipate a distinct association with our planned centre.
Heidi Hansson, Deputy Vice-Chancellor of education
Photo: Mattias Pettersson
The meeting produced very good results in terms of ideas and plans for further work, but above all, it brought us closer together. Building trust and understanding is a prerequisite for moving forward in what is, after all, a very sprawling form of collaboration. Our partners had the opportunity to meet their counterparts at the International Office, Research Support and Collaborative Office, Centre for Educational Development, and University Management. Furthermore, job shadowing and exchanges for teachers and other staff members are already planned for the spring.
One of the prerequisites for full-scale collaboration as described in our application to the EU is, of course, that we receive funding in the next round. But even if the collaboration within the alliance partnership cannot develop according to the entire plan, we have much to gain by implementing what we can. Collaboration and networking in this manner will provide new perspectives and ideas for solutions that we will otherwise miss out on.
Although we come from different places in Europe, we share many challenges. Among other things, I anticipate good opportunities to discuss educational issues and the possibilities to jointly develop new educational offerings or courses linked to Agenda 2030 and the EU's Green Deal, which is the European counterpart. Societal challenges are discussed between governments in the EU, and needless to say, the same discussion should be held among universities. In higher education and research, we can create the necessary knowledge o be part of the solution. Like other Swedish higher education institutions, Umeå University has received a government mandate to increase the range of courses in climate and sustainability. Through European collaboration, we can give and receive suggestions and ideas that can be implemented in our society.
In the spring I will have an assignment as the Vice-Chancellor's advisor to continue and hopefully complete the first phase of the work with AcrossEU. In particular, I want to work to identify platforms for student involvement and influence. I also strongly believe in mobility as a way to nurture ideas and innovative research projects. I see working to improve the support and scope of student and staff exchanges between Europe's universities as an important issue that we can strengthen through an alliance partnership. This is important for the quality of both our education and research.
In the long term, it is also about challenging the perception of what exchanges are and how they are implemented. We all know how travel can take a toll on both the planet and the person. What new ideas can emerge when we come together from different geographical corners of Europe to solve it?