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U!REKA Connects 2025: Education and research key to build sustainable future.
The two-day U!REKA Connects programme emphasised the role of education and research as promotors of sustainable development, accelerators of climate-neutral and smart cities, and reinforcers of common European values.
Mona Roman, Metropolia’s Research Director and the lead coordinator of the U!REKA European University Alliance, said the event made visible what international cooperation is at its best. “U!REKA Connects 2025 crystallised the unique team spirit with which this alliance is being built. The spirit is primarily seen as a willingness to work together across borders for European education and culture. The event demonstrated that when experts from different fields come together around a common goal, new ideas and solutions emerge for Europe’s current challenges”, she explained.
Share good practice
This is similar to what Esther Parigger, head of the Master climate psychology and climate behaviour at Amsterdam UAS, experienced: “What a joy to connect with so many brilliant minds! The energy was contagious—and the road ahead full of ideas ready to take shape.”
Jan Horák, Specialist of Strategic Planning Unit at the city of Ostrava (Czech Republic), experienced his participation as very meaningful as well : “U!REKA Connects was very useful for me as a representative of the city of Ostrava. I had the opportunity to discuss the problems of cities in their progress towards climate neutrality and the smart city concept. It is always great to be able to share good practice and find out that actually all cities are facing similar problems.”
Education Builds Common European Values
During U!REKA Connects, the significance of European University Alliances as drivers of Europe’s competitiveness, democracy, and green transition was explored. Discussions with stakeholders addressed, among other things, the development of European degrees and campuses, as well as the crucial role of higher education institutions in achieving climate goals, promoting green transition, circular economy, and climate-neutral urban solutions through joint education and research. Workshops and discussions shared practical examples of how alliances develop common European education and enable interregional RDI (Research, Development, and Innovation) collaboration.
The event also highlighted innovation activities, co-creation, and the importance of digital education in renewing European higher education. Partner universities were particularly impressed by Metropolia’s Turbiini pre-incubator and Hymy village platform.
Awards
The successful event culminated in the presentation of the U!REKA awards, which recognised actions aligned with U!REKA values — co-creation, boldness, and inclusion. The main awards were given to students from Frankfurt University of Applied Sciences and U!REKA staff for co-creating Blended Intensive Programs, U!REKA lecturers for their boldness in developing joint sustainability course across U!REKA universities, and Erasmus+ Inclusive Comprehensive International project staff from Amsterdam and Metropolia Universities of Applied Sciences for fostering inclusion at U!REKA universities.
The fact that students won an award illustrates that they really matter within U!REKA. A lot of students participated in the event to – amongst other things – further develop the U!REKA Student Council.
Jaden Gomes, elected as the Student Council Vice-President during U!REKA Connect, reflects on the event: “Representing the students of IPL at U!REKA Connects was a truly meaningful experience. It was my first time joining a U!REKA event, and I quickly realized that what makes this project so special are the people, the ideas, and the powerful connections we build together.”
Sukh Preet Singh, Student of HOGENT, adds: “What sticks with me most of all about U!REKA Connects is how strongly students were involved in every conversation. Our voice was not only heard, it was actively included.” Singh is the new elected president of the U!REKA Student Council. “So I will represent the more than 123,000 students of all partner institutions. A big responsibility, but also a unique opportunity to really help build on issues important to students: inclusion, mental wellbeing, affordable exchanges, and much more.”
U!REKA Connects 2025 was more than a conference. The event demonstrated how higher education and research are decisive forces in constructing a smart, democratic, and sustainable future.
How do co-creation, courage and inclusion feature in European higher education collaboration?
Listen to the podcast episode: Promoting European Values
