ECAM: An International Partnership Supporting Innovation and Entrepreneurship
ECAM LaSalle and the Science and Technology Park (STeP) of Chiang Mai University are continuing their collaboration with a shared objective: to promote innovation, entrepreneurship, and international openness. At the heart of this partnership, an ambitious exchange program strengthens the ties between the two institutions. THE ELP PROGRAM: AN INCUBATOR FOR EXPERIENCE AND INITIATIVES Signed at the end of 2023, the partnership centers around the ELP (Experiential Learning Program) incubation initiative. Over the course of 10 months, student entrepreneurs from across Thailand test and develop their projects while strengthening their entrepreneurial mindset. At the end of the program, selected project leaders spend two weeks in one of STeP’s partner institutions, including ECAM LaSalle, to explore an international market and broaden their vision. The program also hosts staff members from partner universities, fostering a cross-exchange of practices and expertise. AN ENTREPRENEURIAL IMMERSION AT THE HEART OF ECAM LASALLE For the third consecutive year, ECAM LaSalle welcomed a delegation of seven Thai student entrepreneurs, accompanied by their coordinator. Each participant brought an innovative project: sustainable skin cream, intelligent orchard management, a wellness drink made from black rice, precision Thai craftsmanship, a secure device for opening medical ampoules, a solution for preserving cut flowers, and an AI-personalized learning platform. During their stay, participants took part in workshops, visits, and professional meetings, including: The European alliance ChallengeEU was also presented, illustrating ECAM LaSalle’s commitment to innovative educational practices and international mobility. The two-week stay concluded with a presentation of the work carried out, presented before a jury. This dynamic cooperation fully embodies the shared ambition of ECAM LaSalle and STeP to support international entrepreneurship and connect their innovation ecosystems on a global scale.
SEEU Marks the 24th Anniversary with a Solemn Ceremony: Broad Participation and Messages of Vision for the Future
The South East European University today held the central ceremony marking the 24th anniversary of its establishment, a solemn event that brought together rectors of public universities from the country and the region, representatives of the diplomatic corps, the business community, accreditation and quality assurance bodies in education, as well as many other distinguished guests. SEEU Rector, Prof. Dr. Sadudin Ibraimi, addressed the attendees, emphasizing the historical importance of the University’s founding date and the key role SEEU plays in advancing education, innovation, and inclusion. He highlighted the development of the seven faculties, including the two newest ones — the Faculty of Technical Sciences and the Faculty of Health Sciences — as clear evidence of the institution’s dynamism and strategic vision. Rector Ibraimi also spoke about some of the year’s most significant achievements, such as the launch of the Preparatory Year for international students, the innovative initiative “AI at SEEU”, and SEEU’s active participation in the European Alliance “ChallengeEU”, where the university is recognized as one of the driving forces of the project. The Chairman of the University Board, Prof. Dr. Klaus Tochterman, offered a symbolic perspective on the number 24, connecting it with continuity, stability, and achievement — values that, according to him, have defined SEEU since its creation. He expressed special gratitude to the PhD candidates, university staff, and international partners whose contributions have helped shape SEEU into a modern, resilient, and socially impactful institution. As part of the anniversary, SEEU promoted its PhD candidates, while staff members with 20 and 10 years of service were awarded recognitions and gifts for their long-term contribution to the institution’s development. The artistic program of the ceremony featured performances by the well-known opera artist from Tetovo, Besarta Murtezani, pianist Shkelzen Baftiari, and the Tetovo Choir led by maestro Jeton Pustina, giving the event a refined cultural atmosphere. The ceremony was masterfully moderated by Arbra Sulejmani. In conclusion, the ceremony served as a moment of reflection and return to the University’s core values — inclusion, innovation, and integrity — reaffirming SEEU’s commitment to its mission of educating and empowering future generations.
LBTU: From Idea to Prototype: LBTU Launches First Innovation Grant Program for Students
The Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies (LBTU) has launched the first cycle of the program “LBTU Innovation Grants for Students“. The initiative aims to foster the development of innovative student ideas by providing financial support, practical training, mentorship, and collaboration opportunities with industry professionals. The program offers students access to the knowledge and tools needed to create prototypes, test ideas in practice, and prepare for further development and commercialization. A total of 15 student teams have been admitted to this cycle, each working on diverse and socially meaningful solutions – ranging from digital platforms and neuro games to sustainable beverages, biotechnologies, and smart devices. Every team is supported in their daily work by experienced supervisors who provide guidance and advice throughout the project development process. Student Teams, Ideas, and Supervisors Program participants will take part in workshops, training sessions, and networking events designed to enhance their skills in project management, communication, entrepreneurship, and specialized technical areas. These events are also accessible to other students and academic staff, fostering knowledge sharing, collaboration, and a vibrant learning community. The first training session already took place on November 24 at the LBTU Technology and Knowledge Transfer Centre (TEPEK) with the main topic “Practical Problem-Solving: Behavior, Structure, and Decision-Making Under Stress Conditions.“ Participants learned how stress may affect quality of decision making, explored practical applications of the CATWOE method, 5 Whys, RCA, CPS, and the Pareto principle, and developed structured thinking and teamwork strategies for complex situations. To contribute as a mentor or stay updated on upcoming activities, events, and opportunities, you are invited to join the LBTU Student Business Incubator community. Interested individuals can fill out the form available at this link.
UWM: Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski visits the University of Warmia and Mazury
On Tuesday, 2 December, the University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn (UWM) became part of the nationwide science-and-technology tour “IGNIS – Poland Reaches for the Stars.” The campus in Kortowo welcomed Dr. Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski an engineer and scientist and the second Pole to travel into space who came to Olsztyn on a mission to popularise science and share first-hand experience from an international spaceflight. “Exactly 160 days ago on 25 June at 8:51 a.m. the IGNIS mission launched from Cape Canaveral,” said Mariusz Korpoliński, who hosted the event at UWM’s Conference Centre as he introduced the guest he called a “superhero.” “Four astronauts set off on a long journey to the International Space Station. The flight carried out by Axiom Space in cooperation with SpaceX and NASA was followed by the entire country. We were all watching on TVs, tablets, smartphones and computers, living through those huge emotions together.” Beyond “sky is the limit” In an era when “sky is the limit” keeps expanding into new areas of everyday life, space is increasingly less a boundary and more a destination shaped by technology, research and imagination. Uznański-Wiśniewski’s visit to UWM was designed to make that world not only more accessible to science, but also more relatable to the public. Speaking in Kortowo, he outlined the course of his mission, described the work he carried out aboard the station and most importantly-argued that science is both a tool for understanding the world and a pathway to fulfilling personal ambitions. Drawing on his own story, he stressed that work can become a true passion-something worth pursuing wholeheartedly and encouraged students and researchers to follow their goals with consistency and courage. Don’t predict the future – build it Welcoming the astronaut to the university, UWM Rector Prof. Jerzy Przyborowski invoked Peter Drucker’s famous observation that the best way to predict the future is to create it. He argued that UWM is doing exactly that among other things through its engagement in research linked to space and radio astronomy. As the rector noted, on the same day Uznański-Wiśniewski flew into space, UWM together with partners launched Poland’s activity within the LOFAR-ERIC consortium at the Poznań Supercomputing and Networking Center. He also recalled that the university will co-create Poland’s consortium for the SKAO (Square Kilometer Array Observatory) project, which oversees two of the world’s largest radio telescopes located in Australia and Africa. UWM also coordinates the POLFAR initiative, while the university’s LOFAR station operates in Bałdy near Olsztyn. Prof. Przyborowski emphasised that Uznański-Wiśniewski’s participation in a space mission provided a rare boost for Polish science. “It proves that the most ambitious projects can be delivered and that it is worth working, and worth dreaming while you work,” he said, referring as well to the legacy of Nicolaus Copernicus, who worked in Olsztyn on ideas that would change the world. UWM’s community will also be reminded of the role that ambition and perseverance play in “reaching the stars” by two keepsakes displayed after the visit: a Polish flag and an IGNIS mission patch that travelled into space with the astronaut and spent several days in orbit. Uznański-Wiśniewski, in turn, left Olsztyn with a painting and a university hoodie. Look further, aim higher Uznański-Wiśniewski’s stop in Kortowo formed part of a series of events organised by Poland’s Ministry of Economic Development and Technology, the Ministry of Science and Higher Education and the Polish Space Agency, in cooperation with the European Space Agency. “We’ve already passed the halfway point of our science-and-technology route its purpose is to bring space closer and to discover talent,” said Dr. Marcin Kulasek, Minister of Science and Higher Education, welcoming the astronaut back to his alma mater. “Talent that might one day follow in Sławosz’s footsteps. His story shows that space isn’t as distant as it may seem. It takes passion, work and perseverance.” The minister noted that Olsztyn Copernicus’s city was an especially fitting setting for a meeting with someone who looks further than most. “Science can open doors that once seemed closed,” he said. Science supported from orbit During a special session for the academic community, Uznański-Wiśniewski spoke not only about the milestones that led him to the stars, but also about doubt, discipline and the constant need to improve. He devoted particular attention to research he helped conduct in space. “Right after going through the station, work began,” he said. “I carried out experiments from day one. One of them involved volcanic algae that we brought from Earth. We tested their survivability in space in microgravity, under radiation exposure and their efficiency in generating oxygen. Perhaps this will be used in bioreactors that enable long-range exploration of space or even terraforming other planets; or perhaps these solutions will return to Earth to help clean our atmosphere.” He added that the volume of work on board made it impossible to present every project during the meeting in Kortowo. “I had a high-computing-power computer on the station that tested artificial intelligence algorithms under space conditions,” he explained. “Among other things, we evaluated algorithms for autonomous decision-making and for the movement of lunar rovers before software like this is taken to the Moon.” Other speakers also addressed the experiments conducted during the mission particularly those who had approached ESA for support in developing their research. “I wanted to inspire the university community to seize the opportunity opening up for Poland and take the next step in space technology,” said Dr. Norbert Kapiński of Smarter Diagnostics. “We must find our niche something that sets us apart. The mission’s experiments point to directions. We have excellent engineers; we are leaders let’s not be afraid of the word in AI development, and this community strongly argues that this should become our specialty and a foundation for an innovative economy. Some of the experiments focused on AI algorithms how we can use them in space. The amount of data is growing, including in space technology, and AI is the best tool to analyse it.” The
HSO: Aid convoy reaches partner university in Zaporizhzhia
A large convoy of donations from Offenburg has arrived in Zaporizhzhia. The shipment will support the local university during a time of great uncertainty. Early December, Zaporizhzhia Polytechnic received a truck carrying 14 tons of aid supplies from the Offenburg university community. A total of 52 boxes and 14 bags of winter clothing, around 80 laptops, server technology, ten IT boxes, twelve wheelchairs, and protective nets, which serve as drone protection in Ukraine, were collected in advance. Companies such as HIWIN, Markant, Osypka, and WTO also supported the effort with donations. Additional goods were added at OTH Amberg-Weiden. Space-Eye also provided an emergency power generator. After sorting and loading, the shipment was handed over to the Ukrainian university. HSO received an emphatic thank you from the university, saying that the support gave them “hope and courage” in times of unreliable electricity, water, and heat supplies. More Info (in German only)
UEV: Talent Day at Universidad Europea de Valencia: Boosting Young Careers
European companies, students and universities come together for a day that promotes professional development and strengthens the ChallengeEU alliance.
MIUN: The Tourism Program Attracts Students From All Over the World
This year, the Master’s programme in Tourism Studies at Mid Sweden University in Östersund has students from all continents.
FHNW: Printing Comfort: The New Tech Behind Next-Gen Shoe Insoles
Shoe insoles can significantly reduce strain. Two FHNW schools are developing innovative materials and manufacturing processes. A new 3D-printing technology is transforming how custom shoe insoles are made. At orthopaedic footwear company Orthopodo Malgaroli, a printer rapidly builds a tailored insole from soft, multi-hardness filaments – ideal for a diabetes patient with reduced foot sensitivity. By precisely relieving pressure on vulnerable areas, the insole helps prevent unnoticed injuries and improves comfort. This innovation is the result of close collaboration between the FHNW School of Life Sciences, the FHNW School of Engineering and Environment , Orthopodo Malgaroli, and funding partners including ChallengeEU associated partner Hightech Zentrum Aargauand Innosuisse, the Swiss Innovation Agency. Until now, producing insoles with varying hardness required complex CNC milling, which was noisy, wasteful and labour-intensive. The FHNW team developed new print heads and an automated tool-changing system that enables the printer to combine different material hardnesses in a single insole. At the FHNW School of Engineering and Environment, researchers created sustainable, medically safe filaments made from castor beans: antibacterial, skin-friendly and recyclable. “The shift to automated insole design and 3D printing is a major paradigm change,” says Daniel Seiler, Head of the Medical Additive Manufacturing Lab. These precisely manufactured insoles aren’t just for people with diabetes. Under the brand moxxis, custom 3D-printed insoles can now be produced within an hour even in sports shops preventive, making personalised foot support accessible to everyone. Link: Auf diese Technik kann man stehen | FHNW
ChallengeEU Mentoring Programme – Rules
REGULATIONS OF THE MENTORING PROGRAMME OF THE ChallengeEU UNIVERSITIES These Regulations define the principles, conditions, and rules of participation in the ChallengeEU Mentoring Programme, implemented as part of the ChallengeEU Alliance cooperation framework. The Programme is coordinated by the University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn (UWM) within Work Package 5, “Openness, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion”. DefinitionsUnless the content of the Regulations of the Mentoring Programme of the ChallengeEU universities (hereinafter referred to as the ‘Regulations’) states otherwise, the following terms shall have the meaning assigned to them below: §1 The Programme assumes cooperation and the transfer of possessed knowledge and professional experience by professionally active persons (Mentors) to students of ChallengeEU universities (Mentees). The program aims to provide support to students who may face systemic barriers or belong to groups underrepresented in their field of study. Eligibility and selection will be guided by this equity and inclusion principle. The Programme fosters gender equality, diversity, and inclusion by ensuring equal access to mentoring for individuals of different genders, abilities, socio-economic backgrounds, ethnicities, and nationalities. It actively promotes mentoring relationships that empower underrepresented groups to pursue academic, professional, and personal growth. §2 The aim of the Programme is to implement inclusive mentoring at the Alliance ChallengeEU as a tool empowering student, aimed at developing their potential and cross-cultural competencies, supporting their strengths, and increasing self-improvement skills. The above, in accordance with the intended goal, will increase the self-confidence, motivation for development, and awareness of students in making informed educational and career path choices. Furthermore, they will acquire knowledge directly from professionally active individuals with established knowledge and experience, which will be an inspiration for development in specific areas. Through individual mentoring relationships, participants gain access to knowledge, networks, and opportunities that may otherwise remain inaccessible. Additionally, the goal of the Programme is to create a community of ChallengeEU universities graduates who will be connected to the university through the Programme and other activities undertaken to support students in their professional development. Mentoring within the Programme may include, but is not limited to, the following areas of development: §3 The Programme is continuous, with recruitment for subsequent editions announced cyclically by the Work Package 5 (Open Diversity, Equity and Inclusion) coordinated by UWM. Each mentoring process is planned for a maximum of 6 months (min. 5 individual meetings), unless the Participants decide otherwise and it is justified by the effective achievement of the Programme’s goals. The Programme’s primary format is individual mentoring sessions between Mentor and Mentee. The implementation of additional forms is also permitted, e.g., meetings of several mentoring pairs, group workshops and/or training. The number of Participants and the form of implementation of additional activities will be determined by the Coordinator in consultation with the Participants. The Programme will be carried out on the premises of ChallengeEU universities or in other locations agreed upon in advance between the Organizer and the Participants. The working language of the Programme is English. However, where both the Mentor and the Mentee represent the same national university and agree to conduct meetings in the national language, mentoring sessions may be held in that language. In all cross-national pairs, English shall serve as the communication and reporting language. §4 Participation in the Programme is voluntary and free of charge for all Participants. In return, mentors receive a range of exclusive benefits, such as professional development at a European level, opportunities for international networking, a platform to influence higher education standards through role modelling, and membership within the international ChallengeEU university community. §5 The Organizer shall be responsible for: The responsibilities of the Mentor include: The responsibilities of the Mentee include: §5a Code of Ethics for Mentoring Participants All Participants of the ChallengeEU Mentoring Programme agree to act in accordance with the following ethical principles, which form the foundation of safe, inclusive, and development-oriented cooperation: Violation of these ethical principles may result in exclusion from the Programme. §6 – dedicating time to one’s own development and that of others; – participation in an organizational meeting and mandatory virtual training for Mentors on a date set by the Organizer; – participation in meetings with the Mentee (min. 5 meetings); – participation in a summary meeting; Please note: All meetings can be held virtually, and there are no costs associated with participation.c. willingness to share skills, knowledge, and experience;d. awareness of one’s own strengths and weaknesses in the area of soft skills and expert knowledge;e. ability to listen and provide constructive feedback;f. authenticity, honesty, sincerity, openness to other points of view, empathy;g. acceptance by the Organizer of the proposed forms and scope of issues for implementation during mentoring;h. consent to present the Mentor’s profile via publication in ChallengeEU’s promotional channels; – dedicating time to one’s own development; – participation in an organizational meeting for Mentees; – participation in meetings with the Mentor (min. 5 meetings); – participation in a summary meeting; Please note: All meetings can be held virtually, and there are no costs associated with participation.c. desire for development and possessing high personal motivation;d. readiness to work on one’s career path, including: discovering new opportunities, acquiring skills, and gaining knowledge. The mentoring program prioritizes students from groups underrepresented in certain fields of studies or universities. This includes, but is not limited to, female students in STEM, students with disabilities, racial/ethnic minority students, and international students. §7 §8 §9Personal Data Protection §10 FINAL PROVISIONS
ChallengeEU Mentoring Programme
Connect with supportive professionals across Europe and grow your confidence, skills and career vision— through mentoring rooted in diversity, equity and inclusion.
