ChallengeEU 1st Annual Conference 2026 in Olsztyn
Bridging Regions – Connecting Universities
Building Bridges: Collaboration for Impact (BIP) has officially started!
Collaboration for Impact, a Staff BIP bringing together representatives from across Europe to strengthen collaboration with external stakeholders and enhance societal impact trough joint learning and exchange
Scientific Wednesdays at UWM
Do the terms hate, hate speech, and hate crimes mean the same thing? Where are the limits of freedom of expression—and what consequences can we face for crossing them? Participants of another meeting in the “Scientific Wednesdays at UWM” series had the chance to explore these questions. The guest speaker was Dr Maciej Duda from the Faculty of Law and Administration. “Scientific Wednesdays at UWM” is a series of open lectures delivered by researchers from the University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn. Its goal is to share knowledge on issues that concern us all. This time (on 4 March), a scholar from the Department of Criminology and Forensics discussed the legal, criminological, victimological, and social aspects of hate speech. Where does freedom of speech end? One of the key questions that arises whenever freedom of speech is discussed is where its boundaries lie. Dr Duda therefore began his lecture with a quotation from Ulpian, a Roman jurist—one that, in his view, remains surprisingly relevant today and helps to explain the moment when freedom of expression turns into harm inflicted on another person. “The precepts of the law are these: to live honourably, not to injure another, to give each person what is due to them.” As Dr Duda explained, in contemporary terms this means that the boundary of our rights is the right of another person. Put differently: one person’s freedom ends where another person’s freedom begins. Hate is not new—yet the internet amplifies it What we now call “hate” is not a new phenomenon. However, the internet has undeniably contributed to its spread, giving users an illusory sense of anonymity—and, as a result, more courage to publish, for example, hateful comments. Dr Duda reminded the audience that hate can be understood as a broad range of aggressive or hostile behaviours aimed at insulting, humiliating, or slandering individuals and groups. It may take the form of trolling, cyberbullying, defamation, insult, or hate speech. He also pointed out that crime has increasingly moved online. In his words, many offences are now committed in the virtual world—sometimes crimes that can occur only online, and sometimes those transferred from the offline world into cyberspace. Hate, hate speech, hate crimes: not the same thing Dr Duda emphasised that hate—unlike hate crimes, which include hate speech—is not a legal term. Hate has become a social concept, widely used in the media and everyday language. Therefore, hate and hate speech cannot always be treated as equal. From words to violence: the “Pyramid of Hate” When discussing hate and hate speech, it is impossible to ignore their consequences—which can be tragic, both for individuals and for entire nations or ethnic groups. Dr Duda argued that the path from words to actions can be very short, referring to the Pyramid of Hate developed by American psychologist Gordon Allport. The process begins with language—words and hate speech. It may then escalate into ostracism, alienation, rejection of certain social groups, followed by overt discrimination, and ultimately physical violence and even extermination. As Dr Duda noted, history provides painful examples: the Second World War, and later events as well. One of the most striking cases demonstrating the devastating consequences of hate speech is the genocide in Rwanda, which—in essence—was preceded by a radio broadcast that incited hatred and defamed people of Tutsi origin. “Don’t be indifferent”—and react early The appeal not to remain indifferent may sound like a cliché, but in the context of hate it becomes crucial. Dr Duda argued that the only effective way to stop this phenomenon is to counteract it. He referred to the criminological “broken windows” theory: if someone breaks a window in a newly built block of flats or sprays graffiti on a wall, it must be addressed immediately—otherwise the behaviour escalates. The same applies to social relations: if we do not respond quickly, minor incidents may grow into misdemeanours, crimes, and—in the worst cases—tragic acts of violence. He also mentioned practical ways of responding, including: shaping positive social attitudes, recognising disinformation, intervention by online administrators (removing hateful content or accounts), and reporting specific incidents to law enforcement. Discussion after the lecture After the talk—following the tradition of “Scientific Wednesdays at UWM”—the audience took the floor. Judging by the questions, a major concern among participants was hate coming from politicians. Attendees did not hesitate to mention specific names of those in power, arguing that irresponsible statements not only lower the quality of public debate but also worsen social moods. One participant raised the issue of growing polarisation fuelled—according to him—by representatives of Poland’s two largest political parties. He asked Dr Duda whether anything could stop these divisions. Dr Duda responded that politicians sometimes use hate speech intentionally, relying on sensational and controversial messages to win voters. As he noted, populism and hate can become a recipe for political success—though he expressed hope that this will change and that people will ultimately be able to “shake hands” regardless of political preferences. He stressed that society should not allow itself to be divided by politicians. Further reading and upcoming meetings Those who would like to expand their knowledge on the issues discussed can reach for publications by the Department of Criminology and Forensics on hate crimes, including: During the next open lecture organised by the UWM Centre for Marketing and Media (18 March), participants will meet Prof. Jerzy Czołgoszewski (Faculty of Social Sciences), who will discuss what happens to a person in prison. The first meeting in the series, held on 18 February, focused on nutrition. Prof. Katarzyna Przybyłowicz (Faculty of Food Sciences) and Dr Małgorzata Obara-Gołębiowska (Faculty of Social Sciences) spoke about how to make diet “less like black magic” and how to navigate calories and macronutrients without losing one’s mind. A report from that meeting is available on the University of Warmia and Mazury website. All lectures take place at the UWM University Library and are open to everyone.
StuCon advises companies with student expertise
The newly founded student-run consulting service StuCon at Hochschule Offenburg combines theory and practice. Around 30 students, mainly business psychology majors, offer analyses, workshops and individual consulting projects for companies and those interested in starting a business. The association dates back to the 1990s and is currently managed by Charlotte Feller, Frederike Nopper and Marcel Krübel. Interdisciplinary teams work systematically from needs analysis to implementation. The objective is to create added value for companies and practical experience for the students.Contact: stucon@hs-offenburg.de More information (in German): https://www.hs-offenburg.de/news-detailseite/article/neue-studentische-unternehmensberatung-schlaegt-bruecke-zwischen-theorie-und-praxis
European University debates the end of lifelong jobs at BTL
The European University hosted this Wednesday, the 25th, as part of BTL – Better Tourism Lisbon Travel Market, a roundtable dedicated to the theme “Educating for a World That No Longer Exists” and to the challenges of training and talent management in the Tourism sector. In a context marked by digital transformation, evolving professional expectations and profound generational shifts, the tourism industry faces a growing mismatch between traditional training models and the new ambitions of young professionals. Flexibility, purpose, continuous learning and a healthy work–life balance are now decisive factors in choosing a career, placing greater pressure on educational institutions and organizations within the sector. The debate therefore invited a plural and intergenerational reflection on how education can respond to a rapidly changing labour market, fostering a more effective alignment between academia and industry in a sector where people remain the main differentiating factor. The session featured Rosário Pinto dos Santos, Executive Search, Recruitment & Career Coach and Hospitality Advisor at Stamina Hospitality, offering the perspective of specialized recruitment; Elsa Guerreiro, Human Resources Director at Ace Hospitality Management (AHM), bringing a strategic view of talent management; Sofia Brandão, Hotel Director at Alma Lusa, representing the operational dimension; and Joana Cordeiro and Filipe Crisóstomo, Alumni of the European University, as representatives of the new generations. In addition to his role as Alumni, Filipe Crisóstomo also serves as the European University’s representative on the Student Council of the CHALLENGEeU Alliance, of which the University is a member. The roundtable was moderated by Professor Sofia Almeida, Coordinator of the Tourism area at the European University. Link: https://www.europeia.pt/noticias/Universidade-Europeia-debate-fim-dos-empregos-para-a-vida-na-BTL/
Smart Turn-Assist: Inclusive Innovation from an FHNW Student
How can swimming become more independent and safe for people with visual impairments? This question inspired Selina Przyjemski, graduate in Electrical and Information Technology. She developed a smart turn-assist system that helps blind and visually impaired swimmers orient themselves in the pool without needing a guide at the poolside. Her work has now been awarded the prize for Best Bachelor Thesis at the FHNW School of Engineering and School of Computer Science and is nominated for the Siemens Excellence Award 2026. For many visually impaired swimmers, reaching the end of the lane is a moment of uncertainty. Traditional support requires another person to signal when to turn. Professor Hanspeter Schmid from the Institute of Sensors and Electronics had long wondered whether technology could offer more autonomy and invited students to explore the idea. Selina Przyjemski took on the challenge. “I loved that the project was meaningful and that I could build something entirely new,” she says. Finding a reliable way to measure distance in water turned out to be tough. Cameras failed due to reflections and privacy issues; ultrasound and radar also proved unreliable. The breakthrough came with Ultra-Wideband (UWB) radio technology, normally used in indoor logistics to track goods. Przyjemski adapted UWB for use near water and achieved the precise distance measurements needed for swimmers. Her system works with: From gentle pulses over five metres away to continuous vibration under two metres: The system clearly signals when it’s time to turn. Trials with a blind test swimmer showed how easy the system is to use. More importantly, it increases autonomy and safety, supporting everything from relaxed training to competitive swimming. Program Director Prof. Sebastian Gaulocher praises the achievement: “What looks simple at the end is usually hard to achieve. Selina developed a user-friendly, practical tool grounded in complex technology and she pushed through every challenge with impressive perseverance.” More information (in German): Smart Turn-Assist
Visit of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Delegation to the Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies
On 2 February, the Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies (LBTU) welcomed a delegation from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Latvia led by Minister of Foreign Affairs Baiba Braže. During the visit, the delegation ознакомed itself with the University’s research, innovation, and infrastructure potential and participated in discussions on future cooperation opportunities. A seminar on the European Union’s Multiannual Financial Framework for 2028–2034 was also held as part of the visit. The delegation met with LBTU Rector Irina Arhipova, Vice-Rector for Research Gatis Vītols, Vice-Rector for Finance Linards Sisenis, Vice-Rector for Studies Ilze Beitāne, as well as faculty deans and academic staff. The presentation highlighted LBTU’s role as a driver of innovation in Latvia’s economy and export sectors. The University focuses on life sciences, food technologies, forestry, and veterinary medicine, developing interdisciplinary solutions for sustainable bioeconomy, precision agriculture, and food innovation, as well as dual-use knowledge and technologies for health and defense sectors. During the visit, the delegation toured faculty laboratories, including a demonstration of dry ration meals developed by LBTU and used by the Latvian National Armed Forces. These rations are specially designed, hermetically sealed food products with balanced nutritional value and long shelf life, intended for use in field conditions for both military and civil protection needs in situations where freshly prepared food is not available. The delegation also visited the Faculty of Forest and Environmental Sciences, where they familiarized themselves with the renovated and equipped shelters in Jelgava. A discussion addressed bureaucratic challenges related to the establishment of shelters and the adaptation of premises for civil protection purposes, as well as opportunities for cooperation with industry in the areas of education, research, and infrastructure modernization. At the Faculty of Engineering and Information Technologies, the delegation toured the newly established Drone Laboratory. Discussions focused on the role of higher education institutions in strengthening national security, including the development of competencies in unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) applications. State support opportunities for training instructors and pilots, as well as the practical application of unmanned technologies in security and crisis management contexts, were also highlighted. The visit concluded with a meeting with the University’s leadership at Jelgava Palace, where opportunities for further cooperation were discussed. A seminar and discussion on the European Union’s Multiannual Financial Framework for 2028–2034 was also held, with participation from representatives of non-governmental organizations, stakeholders, and other interested parties. The seminar addressed key challenges and opportunities for Latvia to maximize funding in the next EU budget period. Given that Latvia’s share of the budget is relatively small, attention was paid to securing additional funding within the national financing framework, particularly in light of security and defense considerations in border states. The main difficulties relate to convincing net contributor countries to increase their contributions to the EU budget and to allocate additional funding to other Member States. Various budget headings were also discussed, such as competitiveness programmes, under which Latvia may apply for additional EU funding outside the national allocation framework. It was emphasized that success will largely depend on cooperation with other Member States, negotiations, and proactive engagement.
Accreditation Board Held Its Regular Meeting at SEEU
The Higher Education Accreditation Board, operating within the Agency for Quality in Higher Education (AQHE), held its regular meeting today at the premises of South East European University. Hosting this meeting represents an important recognition for our institution and confirms the University’s active role in national quality assurance processes and the development of higher education in the country. South East European University remains committed to the highest academic standards, institutional transparency, and the continuous enhancement of quality in teaching, research, and university governance.
Universidad Europea de Valencia hosts the meeting of the Strategy Board of the European alliance ChallengeEU
On Tuesday, Universidad Europea de Valencia hosted the meeting of the Strategy Board of ChallengeEU, the highest decision-making body of the European alliance of universities of which the Valencian institution is a member. This meeting brought together the rectors of the nine universities that make up the network alongside UEV at the Turia Campus: Offenburg University of Applied Sciences (Germany), University of Life Sciences and Technologies (Latvia), ECAM LaSalle (France), University of Warmia and Mazury (Poland), Mid Sweden University (Sweden), Southeast European University (Republic of North Macedonia), University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland (Switzerland) and Universidade Europeia de Lisboa (Portugal), in a working session focused on future directions, strategic challenges and the evolution of the project. The day began with a welcome coffee, during which Esther Gómez, Regional Secretary for Universities of the Generalitat Valenciana, gave a few words of institutional greeting to the Rectors of the alliance before starting the programme of activities. During the working session, the Strategy Board was presented with the results of the alliance’s first year of operation and analysed its medium- and long-term strategy, focusing on consolidating its vision and priorities for the coming years. The meeting also allowed progress to be made on the proposal to create double degrees between member universities, as well as exploring the possible incorporation of a Ukrainian polytechnic university as an associate member, in line with ChallengeEU’s commitment to broader and more diverse European cooperation. The meeting was chaired by Tobias Hagen, Director General of ChallengeEU, and Secretary General Sofiia Hecker, both from the University of Offenburg (Germany), the institution responsible for the overall coordination of the alliance. Annette Klinkert, director of city2science, the technical agency that has accompanied ChallengeEU in its application and development process, also participated in the proceedings. It was also agreed at the meeting that the Rector of Universidade Europeia de Lisboa, Helia Gonçalves, would take over the chairmanship of the Strategy Board during the alliance’s second year of operation, replacing Stephan Trahasch, Rector of the Offenburg University of Applied Sciences (Germany). Likewise, the rector of Mid Sweden University (Sweden), Anders Fallström, has been appointed as the new vice-president of the body.
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.
