The members of the European Reform University Alliance (ERUA) were joined by the representatives of Ukrainian partner universities at the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, between November 20 and 22, 2024, to review the progress, achieved over the first year of the project focused on the development of innovative learning pathways for students pursuing higher education at the eight ERUA member universities. The delegates also participated in the InnoEducatic international conference devoted to innovations in higher education.
Innovative learning pathways
One of the main goals of ERUA is to develop international educational initiatives for students pursuing higher education at the ERUA member universities. In the ERUA alliance SWPS University is responsible for this task.
An international team, comprising representatives from the eight ERUA member universities, met at Las Palmas to review the first year of activity and plan projects and deliverables for the upcoming years. The team also planned the topics for the next working meeting, which will take place in April 2025, and will focus on topics such as microcredentials (i.e., qualifications focused upon a specified professional or career discipline, that tie credentials to specific skill sets) and various aspects of student international mobilities. Moreover, the participants summarized the activities of the Academic Innovation Laboratory that supports the development of the ERUA common European campus.
InnoEducatic Conference
The main theme of the conference — “Towards an Academic Innovation Laboratory: Consolidating innovative methods devising a common call” — was aligned with the focus of the teams, which had been working on the development of the innovative learning pathways.
During the InnoEducatic conference, 38 speakers from all ERUA member universities and the Ukrainian partner higher educaiton institutions presented and discussed innovative methodologies and emerging educational resources that can enhance the teaching and learning processes.The speakers included academics from SWPS University and partner universities from Ukraine. They presented various tools that can help implement personalized and collaborative learning methods. In this context, a special session focused on various initiatives aimed at promoting research and educational innovation through inter-university cooperation was of paramount importance.
Cooperation with Ukrainian partners
On the third day, the members of ERUA work packages met with representatives from the Ukrainian universities, who travelled to Las Palmas thanks to the “ER-UA Strengthening cooperation with Ukrainian universities within the European Universities Initiative”. The goal of the project is to facilitate collaboration between the ERUA Alliance and partner universities in Ukraine in the area of international education opportunities. During the meeting, participants discussed innovation in education, a common e-learning platform, and novel teaching initiatives that are currently being developed by ERUA.
Networking
The participants of the conference and the working meetings had an opportunity to socialize, get to know each other better and learn interesting facts about the local culture.
They were invited to see a sculpture exhibition presenting the works of Juan Jose Bravo, a contemporary Spanish artist. The “Parasito [coral]” exhibition is currently on display in one of the wings of the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. It is an artistic commentary on the impact of human activity on the natural environment.
The hosts also planned a guided tour of the historic district of Las Palmas. This allowed conference participants to learn about the history and culture of the island.
After the conference, all guest were invited to enjoy an evening of Spanish cuisine and culture. They had an opportunity to taste local culinary specialties and watch traditional dances typical of the region.
