News

Arqus Welcomes the European Council’s Vision for a Joint European Degree Label

2025-05-15T13:20:02+03:00

The European Council has set out its vision for the future of European Higher Education in a recommendation and a parallel resolution, published on 12 May 2025, which lays the groundwork for the implementation of a joint European Degree label and sets out the next steps towards the possible introduction of a joint European Degree. The Arqus Alliance welcomes this roadmap, in accordance with the Arqus position paper on the European Degree published in October 2024, and reaffirms its dedication to advancing systemic change and fostering a sustainable, inclusive, and high-quality European Higher Education Area.

The European Council’s resolution sets out the member states’ vision for a joint European Degree label and plans a possible joint European Degree, with three phases to be carried out by 2029:

Finalising preparations for rollout (2025–2026),
Implementation, monitoring and feasibility studies (2026–2028), and
A final decision on the joint European degree (2029).

The Council’s recommendation indicates the criteria for awarding the joint European Degree label. The label would be granted to joint programmes delivered via transnational cooperation between universities from different countries, including at least two EU member states. Guaranteed quality standards across all participating universities would be key: ensuring quality assurance processes are agile, internationalised and fit for purpose, and supporting the implementation of automatic mutual recognition of qualifications.

A joint European Degree would boost the attractiveness and competitiveness of European Higher Education on a global scale. This qualification would be awarded by multiple European universities and automatically recognised throughout the Union. Joint programmes would have to comply with a series of criteria, such as excellence in education, joint course management, student mobility, interdisciplinary and employability, and adherence to European values.

Arqus has supported the potential added value of a European Degree (label), as proved when it coordinated the EDLab project from March 2023 to April 2024. EDLab was one of the six policy experimentation projects funded by the European Commission to explore the viability of the implementation of the European Degree label. Three other alliances participated: ENLIGHT, EUTOPIA and SEA-EU.

The EDLab project brought together 13 universities and 35 associate partners. It tested the implementation of European and international joint degree programmes and the European Degree label, with special emphasis on France, Italy, Portugal and Spain. This project provided valuable insights and practical testing to support the realisation of the European Degree vision.

European University alliances are committed to implementing joint study programmes, developing excellent educational integration and promoting mobility and collaboration between Higher Education institutions in Europe.
Their achievement and insights, as well as EDLab’s proposals, have contributed greatly to the European Commission’s blueprint towards the future awarding of European Degrees as a self-standing qualification and the full internationalisation of the Higher Education system.

Arqus published its comprehensive Position Paper on the European Degree last October, aiming to contribute to the policy debate on the European Degree and the European Degree label after the European Commission’s Higher Education Package was published on 27 March 2024. This paper draws on the conclusions of the EDLab project and the Alliance’s experience. It emphasises the transformative potential of the European Degree label as a benchmark of excellence in joint international programmes and the importance of equitable access, robust funding mechanisms, and simplified quality assurance processes to ensure the success of this ambitious framework across all educational levels.

Arqus celebrates the European Council’s resolution and recommendation, an important step towards the implementation of a joint European Degree label and a possible future European Degree. The Alliance reinforces its commitment to the European Degree, which would facilitate the cohesion between European educational systems, enhance the quality and comparability of degrees, increase innovation in academia, and offer students a more versatile and internationally competitive education.

Read the full European Council’s press release here.

The University of Minho Invites to Arqus Summer School for Early-Stage Researchers

2025-05-13T14:29:38+03:00

The University of Minho invites Arqus Early-Stage Researchers to its Summer School this July. The Arqus Summer School on Research Leadership and Career Development for Early-Stage Researchers will take place from 7 to 9 July 2025. The event is organised by the University of Minho as part of the Arqus Innovation Fund.

The programme consists of three interactive modules designed to enhance participants’ leadership skills and career development in research. The first module focuses on the Principles of Research Leadership, providing foundational insights into effective leadership within the academic and scientific context. The second module, Managing People and Leading Research Teams, explores strategies for building and guiding successful research teams. The third module, Careers in Research: Paths and Opportunities, delves into various career trajectories and development opportunities available to researchers.

Participants will also have the opportunity to hear from invited speakers, including Dr Sandra Schmid, Chief Scientific Officer at Chan Zuckerberg Biohub in San Francisco (USA), and Dr Yasmin Dolak-Struss from Solution Base in Austria.

The training is intended for postdoctoral researchers, junior faculty members, and final-year PhD students. Participation is limited to 18 attendees, ensuring an engaging and personalised learning experience. The training is free of charge, though travel and accommodation expenses should be covered by each participant’s institution through mobility funding.

For participation, please contact by 22 May. For more information, click here.

Breathe In, Green Out: A Festival Promoting Sustainable Solutions

2025-05-07T09:02:30+03:00

The Sustainability Ambassadors Network – a programme by the 91��ɫ (VU) Students’ Representation – together with the Arqus Green Mobility Days initiative, is organising Breathe In, Green Out, a sustainability festival taking place on 14 May. Now in its third year, the event has become a well-established tradition that brings together a community passionate about sustainability and responsible living.

The festival will feature a wide range of activities – from engaging lectures and thought-provoking discussions to hands-on workshops and an orienteering challenge. These sessions will not only provide valuable insights but also inspire environmentally conscious choices in everyday life. This year’s programme focuses on key areas such as business, transport, food, and waste reduction – all essential to fostering a more sustainable future.

Visitors will also be able to take part in a Living Library, where inspiring individuals will share their personal experiences with sustainability. Vegetarian food will be available throughout the event, and the evening will end with a live concert.

The festival will take place on 14 May at 16:00 at Saulėtekio av. 9 (VU Joint Building). Entry is free and open to everyone.

Find out more here.

A Special Arqus Café to Mark Ten Editions and Europe Day

2025-05-05T14:16:49+03:00

The Arqus Café is celebrating its 10th edition! To mark this anniversary, the Arqus Alliance is hosting a special edition of the language café on Europe Day to celebrate the language and cultural diversity of the Arqus community. The event will occur online on 9 May 2025, from 10:00 to 11:00 (via Google Meet). You can register here by filling out the registration form.

The celebration will open with a welcome by the Arqus coordinator Dorothy Kelly, the Arqus Café facilitator Meike Münster and the language centre directors from the Arqus Universities. Then, breakout rooms for the Arqus languages will be opened, including English, French, German, Irish, Italian, Lithuanian, Polish, Portuguese, Spanish, and Ukrainian. An experienced tutor will lead the conversation in each room.

More information can be found here.

This event is part of EUN Weeks 2025, a week of activities and events organised by several European university alliances.

Arqus Community of Practice: Advancing Project Finance Management Through Collaboration

2025-05-02T09:37:12+03:00

91��ɫ’s (VU) Development Department, in collaboration with the Arqus Communities of Practice, has launched a new initiative – the Community of Practice “Project Finance Management Offices” (PFMO). This joint endeavour brings together six universities: VU, the University of Granada, the University of Graz, Leipzig University, the University of Wrocław, and Lyon 1 University. The PFMO team is committed to advancing project finance management by sharing expertise and building collective knowledge.

In today’s ever-evolving landscape of project finance, the PFMO community is dedicated to deepening practical knowledge, exchanging best practices, uncovering the unwritten rules of grant agreements, and strengthening the understanding of cost eligibility criteria. The community’s discussions and analyses aim to navigate the complexities of project finance with greater clarity. Through close collaboration, they develop practical guidelines and strategies that enhance daily operations and promote efficiency across institutions.

The Value of Professional Collaboration

Being part of the PFMO community offers invaluable benefits. Members gain access to a wealth of shared knowledge, build strong professional networks, and actively contribute to shaping best practices in the field. Whether for personal or professional growth, this community fosters collaboration, innovation, and support to tackle emerging challenges effectively.

Through a series of online and in-person meetings, the PFMO community successfully developed several key guidelines, including:

Internal project kick-off meeting guidelines;
Comprehensive AI-supported financial management strategies for EU-funded projects;
Guidelines for personnel costs and reporting;
Step-by-step guides for accessing research infrastructure activities, including cost calculation examples;
Internal invoicing guidelines based on Horizon Europe regulations.

The community integrates all these valuable resources into its daily work, storing them in a dedicated Microsoft Teams group and Google Drive, ensuring seamless access for all members.

Securing Support and Driving Progress

The progress of the initiative has been supported by various funding sources, including the Erasmus+ Staff Mobility for Training programme, the Arqus Innovation Fund, and contributions from the participating institutions. Face-to-face meetings at VU and the University of Wrocław have fostered productive discussions and delivered tangible results. Through active participation in PFMO, members strengthen key competencies such as teamwork, leadership, results orientation, planning and control, and organisational skills.

In the future, the project aims to tackle essential financial management topics, including:

Direct and indirect costs in projects;
Strategies for financial audit preparation;
Job profiling and role definition within project finance management.

Additionally, the team aims to expand the training offerings by incorporating sessions on PM² Project Management Methodology and PRINCE2 – Projects in Controlled Environments, contingent on securing additional funding.

Arqus Innovation Fund: Investing in the Future

The PFMO team hopes to implement most of the initiatives and ideas of this Community of Practice via the Arqus Innovation Fund. The fund allows a huge opportunity to improve skills in project finance management. Two initiatives were submitted to the Arqus Innovation Fund at the Community of Practice of PFMO.

Arqus Innovation fund – Call 2024 – PFMO: Projects Finance Management Offices Initiative

This initiative has already won the funds and is now used successfully for the aims of Arqus and The Communities of Practice. The PFMO Community of Practice unites finance managers, financial services, and EU post-award offices to enhance financial management, strengthen institutional capacity, and improve project efficiency. It fosters collaboration, knowledge sharing, and essential skills like leadership, planning, and teamwork, ensuring better financial oversight in university projects. For Arqus, PFMO Community of Practice drives standardised best practices, enhances inter-university collaboration, and builds a skilled workforce, ultimately benefiting research, education, and student services. Its long-term impact is secured through policy integration, continuous knowledge sharing, and potential expansion beyond financial management to broader university functions.

Arqus Innovation Fund – Call 2025: Cross-Disciplinary Seminars & Challenge-Based Learning Workshops

This initiative has been submitted, and the team is waiting for results because this initiative strengthens EU projects’ financial and technical management competencies, enhancing efficiency and strategic planning. It fosters soft skills, problem-solving, and collaboration across institutions. With at least 50 trained professionals and certification validation, it ensures credibility and long-term adoption. Sustainability is reinforced through an open-access approach and the Financial Project Managers Network, ensuring continuous knowledge sharing and institutional benefit.

These initiatives contribute to more efficient project financial management, benefiting university staff, students, and the broader Arqus Alliance.

Impact of Team Meetings

The team meetings with all existing members are pivotal in shaping the work and success of the Community of Practice framework. These gatherings are a cornerstone for fostering collaboration, introducing new initiatives, addressing pressing concerns, and providing practical solutions to support Community of Practice throughout its evolution. These events brought together technical experts and researchers from Arqus universities, creating a dynamic space for dialogue, knowledge-sharing, and the development of joint initiatives across the Alliance community. By facilitating meaningful exchanges, these meetings strengthen internal collaboration and inspire innovative approaches to working within and beyond the Community of Practice ecosystem.

A Team Member’s Role in the Community of Practice

The team members of this Community of Practice invite you to be an active part of this dynamic community, where collaboration transforms project finance management into a more efficient, streamlined, and impactful process. For this reason, there are scheduled face-to-face meetings at the University of Granada, Leipzig University, and the University of Graz to continue collaborative efforts. Additionally, the team will host three online meetings to ensure continuous engagement and progress. Through active participation in PFMO, members will strengthen essential competencies such as teamwork, leadership, results orientation, planning and control, and organisational skills.

Each PFMO Community of Practice member plays a vital role in driving this mission forward. The team members continuously seek fresh ideas, engaged participants, and additional funding opportunities to enhance activities. Here’s what members have to say about their experience in PFMO:

Aleita Markevič, VU

“I am truly delighted that the Arqus project provides a great opportunity to establish a Community of Practice – bringing together people who share a common interest in managing project finances and risks. Moreover, the ARQUS Innovation Fund Bottom-Up creates a strong foundation for implementing ideas and training initiatives. Through this initiative, we deepen our knowledge, exchange best practices, find solutions, and feel the support of like-minded professionals. I sincerely hope this wonderful PFMO Community of Practice will continue to grow, attracting more community members eager to engage in discussions and continuously update their expertise.”

Žana Markauskienė, VU

“I truly believe that Community of Practice PFMO is a significant achievement for both us and our universities and a remarkable success. The ever-changing project funding requirements and legislation demand quick understanding, the ability to adapt correctly, and more efficient decision-making, often calling for creativity as well. By collaborating with colleagues from other universities, I am able to share good practices and gain invaluable insights by drawing from the experience and expertise of different countries. This collaboration is incredibly motivating, boosts my confidence, and undoubtedly enriches my professional knowledge. I sincerely hope that our Community of Practice will continue to grow with new members and thrive.”

Milena Tamošiūnienė, VU

“I am delighted to be part of a larger community of project finance professionals, where we work together to find answers to the challenges we face in our daily activities and share our experiences. I am especially motivated by the participants’ engagement, the friendly atmosphere, and our shared achievements. I also highly value the discovery that we encounter similar challenges regardless of which university we work at. We have joined forces to overcome them together.”

Agnija Duobienė, VU

“I am very happy to have had the opportunity to join and participate in the Community of Practice, made possible by the Arqus European University Alliance. From the very beginning, engaging in the Community of Practice seemed exciting and full of promising new activities. Although, at first, it felt a bit daunting, with uncertainty about where this journey would lead and how it would evolve, I can now confidently say that it has been one of the best and most rewarding experiences in my professional life over the past five years.

I am truly delighted to have found colleagues from different countries with whom I can share experiences, everyday challenges, and solutions. This not only enhances professional competencies and broadens perspectives but, most importantly, makes you feel that you are not alone in your professional journey – you become part of a large and supportive family.”

Linara Kudasheva, University of Granada

“I feel lucky to be a part of the Community of Practice for Projects Finance Management Offices. It´s great to have this space to exchange ideas, experiences, and challenges with like-minded people! I hope more professionals can join our Community of Practice, opening up new opportunities for joint collaborations.”

Virginia Salazar López, University of Granada

“I am truly happy to be part of the Projects Finance Management Offices Community of Practice within the Arqus Alliance. It’s incredibly reassuring to be connected with colleagues from other universities, especially in a world of rapidly changing procedures and legislation. It helps me feel part of a supportive community where we can share good practices, ask our doubts and support in our daily struggles. I’m deeply grateful for the opportunity to participate in this Community of Practice.”

Anja Rodon, Leipzig University

“I am very happy and grateful that my colleagues in Vilnius have initiated this Community of Practice. I am proud to be able to participate in such an exchange at my professional level as part of the Arqus programme. It is a great opportunity to exchange ideas with finance and project managers from other European universities, discover common problems, and learn from their solutions.”

Iwona Filarska, University of Wrocław

“Participation in this Arqus Community of Practice initiative is primarily an opportunity to exchange experiences and solutions in the area of projects being implemented in each partner institution; it is also an opportunity to take part in professional training on the financial aspects of projects; a true added value in the daily work. I am pleased to cooperate with such dedicated individuals.”

Anne Deketele and Evamaria Bradacs, University of Graz

“To be part of the Community of Practice in the Arqus project is a great chance to meet financial managers of other universities, not only online but also twice a year at one of our partner universities. We support each other and share ideas for improving services and processes.

In a very supportive, friendly, and nice atmosphere, we can share our knowledge, learn from each other, and work on common solutions for our problems. This network helps to improve our knowledge and develop skills or tools to ease our daily work. In addition to that, we enjoy the intercultural exchange with our colleagues.”

Arqus Student Agora Launches the First Student Lab 2025

2025-04-28T14:21:23+03:00

The Arqus Student Agora is launching the first Arqus Student Lab, which will take place at 91��ɫ on 2 and 3 July 2025. The application deadline is 11 May.

This dynamic initiative is a unique opportunity for Arqus students to co-create meaningful change in higher education. The Arqus Student Agora is now selecting 18 Arqus students to participate in an intensive, hands-on Lab this July in Vilnius.

The Student Lab will bring together three diverse student teams from Arqus universities, prioritising those involved in Arqus-related initiatives. Students will collaboratively tackle key challenges affecting academic life and transform them into practical and innovative solutions!

Who can apply?

Open exclusively to students from Arqus universities, with priority given to those involved in:

Arqus Ambassadors Programme
Arqus Mentorship Programme (mentors or mentees)
Talent Scholarship Fund
Student co-designed projects (winners and extended teams)
Other Arqus-related initiatives

Participating students will gain:

Tools and methods to design and test innovative solutions
Strengthened soft skills: teamwork, communication, problem-solving
Experience with agile and digital tools
A boost to your employability
A chance to pitch your idea in a “Shark Tank”-style session

Challenge/problem areas include:

Job market connection
Mental health and well-being
Sustainability
Student empowerment
Inclusion
Digital transformation

The Arqus Student Lab will follow a structured path that blends creativity, digital tools and agile methodologies to drive real change in academic communities. This Lab is a collaborative experience where students’ challenges will be transformed into practical and innovative solutions!

For the application, click here.

Join the Sixth Arqus Webinar on English as a Medium of Instruction for This Academic Year

2025-04-24T06:00:00+03:00

The Arqus Alliance announces the sixth event in its English-Medium Instruction (EMI) Seminar Series for 2024–2025, run by Maynooth University titled “Qualitative Insights into EMI Students’ Experiences: Affective Factors and Classroom Interaction in a Foreign Language”.

This webinar, delivered by Dr Marta Kopinska, Assistant Professor in English and applied linguistics at the University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), will take place online on Thursday, 15 May 2025, from 12 noon to 1 pm (CEST). The webinar will explore affective factors such as motivation and anxiety that might influence classroom interaction in EMI. Drawing on her own and her colleagues’ recent qualitative research, she will explore factors that lie behind EMI students’ (de)motivation to interact in class, as well as EMI-related anxiety. She will also discuss some qualitative methods that were used to investigate these factors in the EMI setting and trace them over time.

About the speaker

Dr Marta Kopinska specialises in English for Specific Purpose courses for undergraduate students who are studying engineering or business management and administration. Her recent work combines qualitative and quantitative methodologies and focuses on affective factors in English-medium instruction in Spanish higher education institutions. Dr Kopinska is also a member of the Language and Speech research group, a multidisciplinary research group that investigates a variety of factors involved in language acquisition in multilingual settings.

Registration for online participation is required. For registration, click here.

Call for Applications: Arqus Research Initiative

2025-04-23T15:06:35+03:00

The Arqus Alliance launches a self-funded call to fund research collaborations between Arqus academics and early-career researchers. The Arqus Research Initiative aims to support the initiation of long-term collaborative research activities among the partners of the Arqus Alliance. The self-funded call is open to all academic disciplines and has a strong focus on the engagement of early-career researchers. The application deadline is 23 May 2025.

While proposals should align with the three Arqus research topics (Climate change and environmental sustainability, Artificial intelligence and digital transformation, and European identity and heritage), we encourage ideas that can grow into larger collaborations across scientific domains.

Associate partners can participate by contributing to co-financing with their own resources. Involving external research groups (outside Arqus) is encouraged to promote collaboration, although costs cannot be covered by the Arqus Research Initiative budget.

The call is open to all kinds of collaborative research activities leading to the overall aim of promoting long-term collaboration.

A non-exhaustive list of activities includes the following:

Small-scale research projects
Organisation of research and/or advanced educational seminars and/or winter or summer schools
Organisation of PhD workshops or other joint doctoral activities
Mobility of small teams (2-3 persons, preferably including one ESR) to ensure implementation of collaborative activity
Development of research teams with a view to e.g. preparing joint proposals for external funding or joint publications

It is recommended that activities that cannot be funded by the Erasmus+ programme be proposed.

The funded grants will be implemented over a period of 18 months, starting from July 2025.

For more information, click here.

Teaching AI-Supported Academic Writing: Practical Workshop for Educators

2025-04-23T14:36:44+03:00

The increasing use of Large Language Models, such as ChatGPT and other AI-powered tools, is significantly impacting academic writing practices. These technologies offer various forms of assistance – from suggesting grammatical and stylistic improvements to generating initial sentences and supporting the development of arguments. At the same time, their application raises serious questions regarding academic integrity. Instances of uncritical copying, the use of unverified sources, and overreliance on AI-generated content present notable challenges for higher education institutions.

In light of these developments, the teaching of academic writing must be adapted. It is essential that students not only develop core writing skills but also learn to use AI tools in a responsible and critical manner.

To support teaching staff in responding to these challenges, and as part of the Arqus Alliance initiatives, the Center for Teaching and Learning at the University of Vienna is organising a practical online workshop, which will take place on Friday, 16 May 2025, from 09:00 to 12:00. The workshop will focus on the pedagogical integration of AI tools in academic writing instruction and is intended for educators seeking to implement these technologies in a thoughtful and effective way.

Participants are encouraged to bring their current course syllabi and initial ideas for the incorporation of AI into their teaching. The session will include a discussion of concrete teaching scenarios and will address how to formulate clear and transparent expectations regarding AI use in academic work.

Please note that this event does not provide a general introduction to AI tools. Rather, it is intended as a forum for discussing their application in specific educational contexts.

Trainers

Frano Petar Rismondo is a writing scholar and higher education expert affiliated with the “Student Research and Peer Learning” team at the Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL), University of Vienna. He coordinates the Student Research Hub and is one of the centre’s leading experts on AI and academic writing.

Erika Unterpertinger is a member of the same team at CTL, where she leads the group of writing assistants. Her doctoral research focuses on discovery processes in novice academic writing. She is actively involved in the development of AI-related writing pedagogy at the university.

This workshop aims to provide academic staff with the tools and perspectives necessary to engage with AI in teaching academic writing in a responsible and informed manner.

Discover more here.

Workshop for Academic Staff: Enhancing Student Learning Through Formative and Peer Feedback in Higher Education

2025-04-22T05:00:00+03:00

As part of the Arqus Teaching Innovation Workshop series, Durham University invites academic staff to an upcoming online workshop “Enhancing Student Learning through Formative and Peer Feedback in Higher Education”, led by Assoc. Prof. Dr Mathilde Roger. The session will take place on Wednesday, 4th June 2025, from 14:00 to 16:00 (CEST) via Microsoft Teams, with registration open until 30 May 2025. The number of participants is limited to 40.

As higher education continues to move towards more student-centred assessment approaches, the workshop will introduce participants to the concept of Assessment for Learning. This approach prioritises the enhancement of student learning over grading, aiming to strengthen student engagement and support the development of self-regulated learning. Dr Roger will draw on key literature to explore the foundations and benefits of Assessment for Learning in contemporary higher education.

The session will present findings from two research studies conducted in the Department of Biosciences at Durham University. The first study, titled “Formative feedback impact on summative grades; what type of feedback is the most effective?”, examines whether engaging in formative work improves students’ summative results. The second study, “Promoting self-regulated learning via peer-feedback at the programme level”, investigates how students perceive peer feedback and its role in supporting their confidence and understanding of assessment criteria.

To conclude, the workshop will offer practical recommendations for integrating formative and peer feedback into teaching practice. Participants will be encouraged to reflect on how Assessment for Learning principles and peer feedback can be used not only to improve academic performance but also to foster student independence and deeper learning.

The workshop is led by Dr Mathilde Roger, Associate Professor at Durham University. Over the last few years, she has developed a special interest in students' self-regulated learning and inclusive and accessible Teaching, Learning and Assessment. She is exploring new strategies for authentic assessment, such as promoting the importance of formative coursework and the value of peer- and self-feedback. She also investigates how digital tools can enhance accessibility and inclusivity and promote student learning. Dr Rogers is currently developing a student-led feedback e-journal to encourage students to engage and reflect on their feedback at the programme level.

For registration, click here.

Workshop in the Design of Educational Videos: A Response to the Challenges of Inclusive Teaching

2025-04-17T13:00:20+03:00

As part of the ongoing INCLUDE project, University of Lyon 1 is taking significant steps towards a more inclusive learning environment by integrating digital tools into its pedagogical strategies. One such initiative is a dedicated training workshop focused on the design of inclusive educational videos, led by Juan Pablo Parra Torres. The workshop, “Design of Educational Videos: A Response to the Challenges of Inclusive Teaching”, will take place online on 6 May from 14:00 to 15:30 and is open to a maximum of 16 participants.

Rooted in the principles of Universal Design for Learning and digital accessibility, the training is based on a fully online Moodle course titled “Designing Inclusive Educational Videos”. It aims to support educators in using video as a powerful, inclusive tool to enrich the learning experience.

Educational videos are increasingly recognised for their ability to engage students through diverse representations and formats. They can adapt to individual learning needs and support different ways of understanding, expressing, and participating in academic content. This workshop will provide practical guidance on scripting and designing video content that is not only engaging, but also accessible to all learners.

Participants will:

Explore the benefits of educational videos for inclusive teaching
Learn best practices for writing scripts with inclusivity in mind
Gain insight into accessibility criteria and UDL principles for effective video design

This hands-on training session invites educators to rethink video content as a key component of inclusive pedagogy and offers tools to help them meet the needs of a diverse student body.

Registration is open here.

Apply for the Arqus Green Mobility Days Award

2025-04-15T11:09:11+03:00

The Arqus Alliance encourages students, academic and administrative staff of its partner universities to apply to the Arqus Green Mobility Days Award with their sustainability projects and good practices. The deadline for applications is 30 April 2025.

The Arqus Green Mobility Days initiative aims to foster and look for new ways to implement green mobility. Arqus universities carry out activities at the local level to raise awareness within their academic communities regarding sustainable ways of managing international mobility, whether it comes to choosing a greener means of transport when travelling abroad or reducing the impact of daily habits while living in the hosting cities.

This joint call represents a pillar of the initiative mentioned above, and its main aim is to identify good practices in the field of sustainability that can spark innovative approaches to green mobility within the Alliance. This is the 2nd edition of the Arqus Green Mobility Days Award, which recognizes outstanding commitment to sustainability through innovative green mobility approaches.

For more information and the application, click here.

The University of Lyon Launches the Second Call for the ArchiFun Doctoral Programme

2025-04-14T12:05:27+03:00

The University of Lyon 1 invites Arqus students to apply for the ArchiFun Doctoral Programme “Architecture, Function and Dynamics in Life Sciences”. The call for applications is open until 31 May.

ArchiFun is an international doctoral programme established within the Arqus Alliance and coordinated by the University of Lyon 1, focusing on the relationships between structure, function, and dynamics at all levels, from atoms to cells, organisms, and ecosystems.

The ArchiFun doctoral programme aims to recruit 23 doctoral students through two calls, one in 2024 and one in 2025. Successful candidates will participate in a new European doctoral programme titled “Architecture, Function, and Dynamics in Life Sciences – ArchiFun,” co-funded by the European Commission under the Marie Sklodowska-Curie COFUND action.

Applications for the second call are now open. A total of 12 doctoral candidates from any university will be recruited to carry out their PhD at one of the three Arqus partner universities: eight positions at the University of Claude Bernard Lyon 1 (France), two at the University of Granada (Spain) and two at the University of Padua (Italy).

You can find the list of proposed projects via the following link. The programme and salary are competitive and attractive. In this guide for applicants, the candidates will find all the instructions for submission, all the criteria for selection, the possibilities for secondments and training and their obligations once recruited.

Key dates:
• Opening of the call: 1 April 2025
• Deadline for applications: 31 May 2025
• Evaluation process: June 2025
• Interview phase: July 2025
• Start of scholarships: 1 October 2025

For more information, visit this website or contact .

Apply for the Arqus Summer School in European Studies

2025-04-14T11:22:16+03:00

The Arqus Joint Master’s Programme in European Studies invites students to their summer school on 3-7 July 2025 in Bad Hersfeld (Germany). The deadline for applications is 25 April.

This Summer School is open to students from the Joint Master’s in European Studies as well as to Arqus students from any other programmes.

It is an excellent opportunity to further develop methodological and conceptual skills in the field of European Studies, to later be able to apply them in future research projects, especially in preparation for the Master’s thesis. Students in the Arqus Joint Master’s Programme will have the chance to meet their peers, as well as faculty from the different partner universities, and share their experiences during the first year.

The Summer School programme, organized in cooperation with the Erasmus Mundus Global Studies Consortium, includes methodological and Master’s thesis workshops and special sessions with alumni. A trip is planned to “Point Alpha”, a former US Army observation post now turned into a museum, which offers a starting point to reflect on the challenges of European transformations, past and present, in local, regional and global contexts.

Accommodation is organized and covered. Travel costs can be provided by Erasmus grants upon application and depending on availability. The coordinators will assist you in the process.

Due to the limited number of places available, students will be selected based on short applications. These applications should include the following:

• A short CV specifying the student’s mobility track and academic interest
• A short letter of motivation (maximum 300 words)
• A short abstract for your potential Master’s thesis project (maximum 300 words)

Please submit your application to Stephan Kaschner at before 25 April.

2025 Call for the Arqus Joint Master’s Programme in European Studies

2025-04-08T11:52:21+03:00

Arqus is opening the second call for the Arqus Joint Master’s Programme in European Studies for students from the universities of Granada, Graz and Vilnius. The call is open until 22 April 2025.

The Arqus Joint Master’s Programme in European Studies is a full-time master’s programme that can be completed over 2 years with a total of 120 ECTS credits. It brings together the expertise and academic excellence of four Arqus universities (Granada, Graz, Leipzig and Vilnius) and is offered entirely in English.

The programme focuses on the relationship between Europeanization and globalisation, the impact of global developments on Europe and the changing role of the continent in the new world order. It is organised as a joint programme that allows participants to profit from a wide range of options in complementary focus areas and from a unique intercultural experience due to the extensive international composition of students in the programme.

Some of the special features of this programme include:

Different disciplinary and regional perspectives on selected topics.
Students can spend physical mobility at one of the partner universities in the second and/or third semester, depending on their interests and the specialisation and regional focus offered.
The programme features virtual exchange components to the extent of 30 ECTS.
Joint courses.
Joint Degree recognised by all partner universities.

The application deadline is 22 April 2025 (23:59 CEST).

Click here to submit your application.

Check the Joint Master’s programme website here.

Teaching AI-supported Academic Writing

2025-03-31T12:42:34+03:00

On 16 May 2025, the online workshop Teaching AI-supported Academic Writing will explore how educators can respond to the growing presence of tools like ChatGPT in student writing. Designed for instructors in higher education, the workshop focuses on practical strategies for integrating AI into teaching while promoting ethical and reflective student use.

This hands-on workshop invites educators to bring their syllabus and ideas for incorporating AI in their courses. Together, we will explore teaching scenarios and approaches for clearly communicating expectations and ethical standards around AI use in academic contexts.

Trainers

Frano Petar Rismondo is a writing scholar and higher education expert and part of the Center for Teaching and Learning’s (CTL) "Student Research and Peer Learning" team. He coordinates the Student Research Hub at the University of Vienna and is one of the AI and writing experts at the CTL.

Erika Unterpertinger is a member of the team "Student Research and Peer Learning" at the Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL) at the University of Vienna, where she leads the team of writing assistants. She is one of the AI and writing experts at the CTL and does research into students’ processes of “discovery” that are connected to novice academic writing in her dissertation.

Workshop Overview

Large Language Models like ChatGPT offer both support and challenges in academic writing. They can assist with drafting, revising, and developing arguments, but also pose risks like uncritical copying or misinformation. Teaching must adapt to help students navigate these tools ethically and productively.

This workshop is specifically designed to address the practical aspects of integrating AI-related tools and methodologies into the classroom. Participants should bring their syllabus as well as some ideas on how they want to incorporate AI in their classes. Possible teaching scenarios, as well as transparent communication of what is expected of students, will be discussed.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the workshop, participants will:

• Have reflected on the impact of AI on students’ academic writing and development
• Understand different scenarios for teaching ethical and responsible AI usage to students
• Begin rethinking their syllabus to align with these emerging challenges

The workshop is limited to 20 participants. A meeting link will be sent to registered attendees only.

Register here

Leipzig University Hosts the 2025 Arqus Annual Conference “European Universities at the Crossroads”

2025-03-26T07:40:13+02:00

The 2025 Arqus Annual Conference will take place mainly on 2 and 3 April at Leipzig University, Germany, with internal meetings scheduled for 4 April. This year’s theme, “European Universities at the crossroads,” aims to bring together leaders, academics and students from Arqus and other alliances to reflect on the evolving landscape of European higher education and the European Universities Initiative.

The 5th Arqus Annual Conference theme serves as a framework to discuss the future of the Arqus Alliance and the European Universities Initiative as a whole, focusing on the future of higher education, the innovation brought by the Alliance(s), the strengthening and resilience achieved through cooperation between higher education institutions and the key role of these alliances to attain a sustainable and inclusive European Higher Education Area.

This Arqus Annual Conference seeks to share best practices and innovative solutions across institutions, identify strategies and pathways to strengthen collaboration within alliances, discuss challenges and possible solutions affecting the European Universities Initiative, and make recommendations for policy adjustments to enhance the role of alliances.

The conference officially opens on Wednesday, 2 April, at 10 am CEST with keynote addresses from Dorothy Kelly, Arqus Coordinator, and Eva Inés Obergfell, Rector of Leipzig University. As has become customary with the National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy, Durham University members have also been invited to join the conference as a new associate university partner.

The Conference will be broadcast live on the Arqus YouTube channel.

Together with Arqus members, experts and colleagues from CIVIS, UNITA, INGENIUM, EUTOPIA, CHARM-EU, Circle-U and Open-EU Alliances will participate in the different plenary sessions:

2 April, 10:30-12:00: Legal Entity: The future for European University Alliances

Moderators: Eva Inés Obergfell, Rector of Leipzig University, and Eeva Leinonen, President of Maynooth University (Arqus).
Speakers: Stefan Lang (CIVIS), Barbara Gagliardi (UNITA), Daniel Santos (INGENIUM).

2 April, 13:30-15:00: Research strategies and collaborative research projects within European University Alliances

Moderator: Patrycja Matusz, Vice-Rector from the University of Wrocław (Arqus) and Plenipotentiary of the Minister of Science for European Affairs and the Presidency of the Republic of Poland in the Council of the European Union.
Speakers: Bálint Markó (EUTOPIA), Sergio Villanueva (CHARM-EU), Lucas Zinner (Circle-U), Cedric Jürgensen (Arqus).

3 April, 09:00-10:30: Common digital infrastructures as tools and resources for European University Alliances

Moderator: Mireille van Poppel, Vice-Rector for Internationalization and Equal Opportunities at the University of Graz (Arqus).
Speakers: Sebastian Schöttler (EUTOPIA), Alex Hinojo (Open-EU), Colin Tück (expert), Lucas de Uña (Arqus Student Council).

3 April, 11:30-13:00: Arqus Teaching Excellence Award Ceremony and Closing

The winners of the third edition of the Arqus Teaching Excellence Award will present their innovative projects before the closing of the conference.
Closing by: Uršulė Barkauskaitė, Arqus Student Council, and Dorothy Kelly, Arqus Coordinator.
Announcement of the next Arqus Annual Conference by Maynooth University.

In-person satellite events will be held on 1 and 4 April:

On 1 April, 16:00-18:00, the Arqus Inclusion and Diversity Hub will organise an Open Collaborative Room "Collaborating for Change – Advancing the Arqus I&D Action Plan". This event will focus on discussing, streamlining, and enriching the Arqus Inclusion & Diversity Action Plan.

A workshop on equity in AI will be held on 4 April, 9:30-11:30. This activity is organised by Arqus Aware, an initiative of the Arqus Student Agora and funded by the Innovation Fund. Facilitated by Arqus Alumni, the workshop is aimed at student ambassadors who will be attending the Annual Conference but also open to anyone interested in the ethical considerations in AI development.

If you are participating in the conference in person and would like to register for any of these workshops, contact and the registration forms will be provided.

Also the Community of Practice Research Support Officers (RSO) will meet on 3 April, 9:00-12:00. The CoP Research Support Officers gathers individuals supporting the creation of grant applications, with at least one representative from each Arqus university.

More information and the programme are available on the event webpage.

Everyone is welcome to follow the Annual Conference online. Do not hesitate to share the invitation with your university partners and interested participants.

Call for Mentors: Arqus Mentoring Programme for Early-Stage Researchers 2025-2026

2025-03-20T14:15:32+02:00

The Arqus Alliance invites experienced researchers to join the Arqus Mentoring Programme for Early-Stage Researchers 2025-2026, supporting advanced PhD students and postdoctoral researchers in navigating their academic careers. This international mentoring initiative pairs mentees with mentors from another Arqus university, fostering guidance on career development, academic networking, and research strategies.
Running from October 2025 to June 2026, the programme includes at least four mentor-mentee meetings, a Kick-Off Workshop in September, online training sessions for mentees, and optional Mentors’ Lounges for peer exchange and support.

Why Become a Mentor?

Mentoring offers a chance to support emerging scholars, develop leadership skills, and gain fresh perspectives on research and academia. It also fosters cross-disciplinary collaboration and connects researchers across different academic cultures.

The Role of a Mentor

Mentors provide a supportive space for discussing career goals, academic challenges, and strategies for success. While research topics may arise, the focus is on career development, including publication strategies, networking, grant applications, and work-life balance. Mentors are not supervisors but trusted advisors who offer guidance and perspective.

Support for Mentors

Mentors receive guidelines, training materials, and access to peer discussions through the Mentors’ Lounges. An introductory online session will set expectations, and the Arqus team will provide ongoing support.

Examples of topics you might discuss with your mentee are:

● Publication strategies and navigating the peer review process
● Building and maintaining a collaborative academic network
● Crucial aspects of job applications in academia, building a convincing profile
● Insight on obtaining financing, writing grant applications and project proposals
● Teaching approaches and how to balance research and teaching obligations
● Science communication strategies and valorisation of research
● Building a structured research approach and time management strategies
● Balancing an academic career with family planning
● Challenges of living and working abroad
● Maintaining mental health while working in academia

Registration

The registration form is open until April 11th.

Register here

Join the Arqus Mentoring Programme and help shape the future of academic research.

Webinar #5 on EMI – Academic Intercultural (Communicative) Competence: Work in Progress

2025-03-20T11:31:52+02:00

Maynooth University is pleased to announce the fifth webinar in its English-Medium Instruction (EMI) seminar series for 2024–25. Titled “Academic Intercultural (Communicative) Competence: Work in Progress”, the webinar will be delivered by Michael Byram and Lynne Parmenter and will take place online on Thursday, 17 April 2025, from 12:00 to 13:00 (CET).

The speakers will present the view that working in a new academic environment involves much more than proficiency in the language of the environment. Whether the language is “the same” as that used by students in their familiar environment or different and “foreign”, they are bound to have new (academic) cultural experiences and draw on their intercultural competence. Participants will be introduced to a model of Academic Intercultural (Communicative) Competence and will learn about its implications for practice, including contexts of EMI.

The webinar is open to students, academic staff, and non-academic staff from Arqus universities, providing an opportunity to engage with leading experts in the field.

Speakers

Michael Byram studied languages at King’s College Cambridge, wrote a PhD in Danish literature, and taught French and German in secondary and adult education. He then went to Durham University in 1980 in the School of Education and is now professor emeritus and a guest research professor at Sofia University, Bulgaria, where he co-edited The Experience of Examining the PhD. An International Comparative Study of Processes and Standards of Doctoral Examination. In the 2000s, he was an adviser to the Language Policy Division of the Council of Europe, and he recently co-edited Quality and Equity in Education. A Practical Guide to the Council of Europe Vision of Education for Plurilingual, Intercultural and Democratic Citizenship.

Lynne Parmenter is a professor in the Graduate School of Education at Nazarbayev University in Astana, Kazakhstan, where she works with master’s and PhD students in an EMI context. She has previously worked at universities in Japan, the UK, and Aotearoa, New Zealand. Her teaching and research both focus on internationalisation of higher education, intercultural education and positive peace education.

Registration

Participation in the webinar is free, but registration is required.

Register here

For further information about the EMI seminar series, please contact Maynooth University.

VU Student Shares Insights on Arqus Joint Master’s Experience in Graz

2025-03-19T13:34:17+02:00

Dominykas Zvinakevičius, a student from 91��ɫ, is currently enrolled in the Arqus Joint Master’s Programme in European Studies. He is spending a mobility semester at the University of Graz.

Dominykas shares his experience of living in Graz, which he finds to be an ideal city for international students. He appreciates the beautiful campus, vibrant city center, rich cultural offerings, and the countless opportunities to make friends and connect with fellow students.

Academically, Dominykas values the University of Graz’s emphasis on studying Southeastern Europe and the Balkans within the Master's Programme in European Studies.

Learn more about Arqus Joint Master’s Programme in European Studies here.

Watch other student testimonials here.

Scholarships for UMinho’s Portuguese Summer Course

2025-03-19T13:23:35+02:00

BabeliUM, the University of Minho’s Language Centre, is offering two scholarships to attend the 35th Summer Course in Portuguese as a Foreign Language to students who are enrolled in language centres members of CERCLES, in one of BabeliUM’s partner Universities and/or in one of the Arqus Universities.

The course will be held in person from 30 June to 25 July in Braga, Portugal, and offers lessons from level A1 to level B1. This four-week intensive course will encompass 72 teaching hours and offer classes from Monday to Friday, from 9am to 1pm.

Class 1 – A1/A1+ (Initiation)
Class 2 – A2/A2+ (Initiation+)
Class 3 – B1/B1+ (Intermediate)

The subjects will be:

Lexicon and structures of the Portuguese language (24 hours)
Listening-speaking practices (24 hours)
Reading-writing practices (24 hours)

In addition to language lessons, this course offers cultural moments: study visits, gatherings and socialising.

The scholarships (1 Elementary and 1 Intermediate), for €500 each, will cover the enrolment in the summer course.

Procedure

Those interested in applying for the scholarships should send the following documents to before 19 May 2025.

Motivation letter (1 page)
CV (preferably Euro-CV)
Proof of enrolment in a Language Centre member of CERCLES, in a BabeliUM’s partner university and/or in an Arqus University
(Documents may be in any of the following languages: German, Spanish, French, English, Italian or Portuguese).

Dates

Receipt of candidature: until 19 May 2025

Notification of results: 2 June 2025

Registration for the 35th Summer Course in Portuguese as a Foreign Language will open on 1 April, more information here. For further information, please contact: