Both the double degree in Accounting and the dual doctoral programme in Law will commence in the next academic year

STARS EU will begin offering, in the 2026/2027 academic year, a Joint Degree Programme in Accounting between Aleksandër Moisiu University in Durrës (Albania) and the Polytechnic Institute of Bragança (Portugal), as well as a dual doctoral programme in the field of Law between the University of La Laguna (Tenerife) and Aleksandër Moisiu University.

The newly launched Joint Degree Programme in Accounting between UAMD and IPB marks a significant step in cross-border academic cooperation and curriculum alignment. The programme is designed to harmonize academic pathways, support student mobility and prepare graduates for the European and international labour market through a shared educational experience.

According to this programme framework, students are expected to complete 180 ECTS credits, including at least 30 ECTS credits abroad, with courses delivered in English and mobility opportunities for up to 10 students per year. The agreement is established for a period of six years, renewable in three-year cycles. Graduates will receive two bachelor diplomas in Accounting, one from each institution, fully recognized across Europe and granting direct access to master’s studies.

Promoting European cooperation

This initiative illustrates how collaborative programme design can serve as a practical mechanism for strengthening academic interoperability between institutions and for offering students an enriched educational pathway that combines dual recognition, international exposure and stronger employability prospects. It also reflects the kind of structural academic cooperation that aligns closely with the objectives of STARS EU in promoting European cooperation through concrete and sustainable formats.

Both agreements have been signed by the rectors of the three universities: Shkëlqim Fortuz and Orlando Rodrigues, rectors of the Polytechnic Institute of Bragança and Aleksandër Moisiu University in Durrës, respectively, have validated the Double Degree in Accounting; Francisco García and Shkëlqim Fortuz, from the University of La Laguna and UAMD, have done likewise for the dual degree programme in Law.

The signing ceremony for both agreements took place following the STARS EU committee meeting, held during the second day of the alliance’s Annual Conference, which has taken place in recent days at Silesian University in Opava (Czech Republic), under the theme Transformative Education for the Future of Europe.

Doctoral degree in Law

The signing of the memorandum of understanding to launch the first dual doctoral programme in Law, which will begin in the 2026/2027 academic year, will enable students from both institutions to obtain a doctoral degree in both countries, provided they meet the academic requirements established by each university.

The programme, a pioneering initiative within the alliance, предусматриes the participation of a limited number of doctoral candidates per year—up to a maximum of five per university—who must complete mobility periods at the host institution lasting between six months and one year. During this period, participating students will receive academic supervision from both their home and host universities.

The doctoral thesis will be supervised by advisors appointed by the Faculties of Law of both institutions and must be approved by both parties prior to the defence, which will take place at the home university. As regards the examination panel, the agreement stipulates that it will be composed of members appointed by both institutions—in accordance with their respective regulations—when awarding the final grade, which will be valid for both universities.

Promoters of the agreement

The memorandum has been promoted and developed by Brikena Dhuli, a lecturer in the Department of Law at Aleksandër Moisiu University of Durrës and an expert in Public Law, and Dulce M. Cairós Barreto, Professor of Labour and Social Security Law at the University of La Laguna. Both experts have worked together with the Doctoral School and the Faculties of Law of each university to define a common framework that ensures both the feasibility and the quality of the programme.

In addition to Cairós and Dhuli, the implementation process has also involved Belina Bedini, Vice-Dean for Scientific Research, and Evis Garunja, PhD in Public Law at Aleksandër Moisiu University, as well as Andrea Padrón Villalba, Academic Secretary of the Doctoral School at the University of La Laguna.

The annual conference of the STARS EU alliance was inaugurated yesterday, Wednesday the 25th, and will run until Friday the 27th of March, under the motto “Transformative Education for the Future of Europe ” , as this time the meeting has emphasized teaching innovation .

The morning featured an opening ceremony held at the Silesian Theatre, which included speeches by the Rector of the Hanze University of Applied Sciences (Netherlands ) and coordinator of the alliance, Dick Pouwels; the Rector of the host center – Silesian University in Opava – , Tomáš Gongol ; the Deputy Director of the Czech National Agency for International Education and Research, Roman Klepetko; the Deputy Governor of the Moravian – Silesian Region , Jan Veřmiřovský ; and the Deputy Mayor of the city of Opava , Michal Kokošek .

Emphasis was placed on how higher education possesses enormous transformative potential, not only for individuals in terms of their professional and civic development, but also for the regions in which they live. Education in this broad sense has become a fundamental value, especially at a time like the present, when international political instability requires greater adaptation to uncertainty.

Opening address
It was precisely this uncertainty that was the subject of the inaugural lecture by Elinor Vettraino, from Aston University in Birmingham (United Kingdom), whose title “The Human Algorithm ” already makes clear her commitment to a bolder , group-based, critical and open university education to face this instability.

The speaker advocated for an educational paradigm capable of responding to the challenges described by the BANI framework, established by Jamais Cascio in 2020 to try to interpret a chaotic world . It stands for Brittle, because systems can collapse in the face of small failures ; Anxious, due to constant uncertainty; Nonlinear, Regarding the disproportion between causes and effects; and Incomprehensible, due to the information overload and complexity of many phenomena .

Vettraino explained that to address this paradigm, individuals must become cognitively ambidextrous, capable of combining the predictive logic of science and formal education with a more adaptive, creative logic .

Translating this duality to the educational sphere requires offering a freer and more open teaching style in which students are more involved in their own learning process. This is not mere theory , and he gave examples of institutions already implementing these practices , such as The London Interdisciplinary School, among others.

With all this in mind, the expert proposed a three-dimensional educational model capable of addressing these challenges, with an X-axis representing Enhancement and Elevation, a Y-axis representing Interpretation and Connection, and a Z-axis representing Exploration and Experience. This presentation and the entire opening ceremony are available on the alliance ‘s YouTube channel.

Simultaneous sessions
Following the opening, the session moved to the Faculty of Public Policy , the venue for the working meetings, where the morning session featured two simultaneous open debate panels : “Human centered Artificial Intelligence and flexible pathways : making a truly transformative digital transformation”; and “ From the classroom to the region : transformative education as an engine for the European transition ”.

The first panel addressed how to move from a technocentric, tool-based view of AI to a more human – centered one. While universities have been adopting AI since 2022, the time has come to create ecosystems, increase its educational potential, and integrate this technology into the curriculum . Expanding digital literacy is also necessary , as there is a gap between faculty and students. Another challenge raised is using AI critically and ethically.

The alliance’s working group is compiling innovative experiences with artificial intelligence being carried out by academic institutions of STARS EU, with the aim of co-creating AI-based solutions for all sectors in all areas .

The second panel addressed the importance of making the university a more accessible space for new generations, as they are the leaders of the future . The importance of involving the organizations, institutions, and companies behind universities in the process of transforming education was also mentioned .

Regarding how to change and adapt the academic curriculum , the discussion focused on flexibility, adaptability , and the essential shift in mindset. As for the challenges universities face, the panel highlighted the need to increase stakeholder engagement and the ability to expand from the local to the regional level .

In the afternoon, there were two other joint sessions: “ Coaching for courage: Team-Entrepreneurship as a vehicle for Transformative Education ” , and “ Practice: Turning European Initiatives into Transformative Learning ”.

The first discussion focused on team work as a training tool. Its advantages were presented, such as the fact that students can define their role within a group, but its effectiveness was also questioned, and it was suggested that in some cases, overuse of this methodology can overwhelm students.

It was also clarified that all teams are groups, but not all groups are teams. To create teams, it is necessary for members to have mutual understanding and develop empathy . Another issue raised was the importance of creating safe environments in the classroom so that students can experiment and make mistakes in order to learn from them. “We don’t learn from mistakes, but rather when we reflect on them.”

The second panel emphasized the need to give more space to younger generations , considered key as future leaders , as well as to promote a change of mentality towards universities that are more open , innovative and connected with their environment.
One of the main themes of the debate is challenge-based learning. Examples presented included MSIC Lab Zero, where companies pose challenges that students address by proposing solutions, and academic programs in which students collaborate with municipalities to solve specific problems, such as population decline . This approach allows for the application of knowledge in real-world contexts and generates a direct impact on both society and regional development.

Furthermore, the importance of involving all stakeholders surrounding the university — public administrations , businesses, and civil society — was highlighted , creating ecosystems of collaboration and innovation . This cooperation not only strengthens student training but also contributes to the economic and social development of the regions.

The panelists agreed on several significant obstacles , including rigid curricula, bureaucracy, slow institutional change processes, and resistance to modifying traditional structures. For this reason, they emphasized the need to introduce greater flexibility and adaptability into curricula , as well as to effectively integrate these practical approaches into teaching .

The event, to be held at Silesian University in Opava, will take place from 25 to 27 March

The third annual STARS EU conference is conceived as a strategic meeting space dedicated to rethinking the role of higher education in Europe under the theme “Transformative Education for Europe’s Future”. The event, which on this occasion will be hosted by Silesian University in Opava (Czech Republic) from 25 to 27 March, brings together academics, students, policymakers and a range of societal stakeholders with the aim of sharing ideas, exchanging experiences and co-creating new perspectives on the future of higher education.

The programme combines institutional events with plenary sessions, panel discussions, parallel working groups and cultural activities. Following the official opening at the historic Silesian Theatre, networking opportunities will also be provided, reflecting STARS EU’s commitment to a more connected, innovative and transformative European university landscape.

Key debates on transformative education

The first day, Wednesday 25 March, establishes the conceptual foundations of the conference. After the formal opening ceremony, attention turns to the afternoon panel discussions, which address key issues for understanding the scope of transformative education.

From Classroom to Region: Transformative Education as an Engine for Europe’s Transitions

This panel reflects on the impact of education beyond the classroom, as well as its capacity to act as a driving force for transformation across European regions. In this context, universities play a crucial role by actively contributing to ecological, social and economic transitions, and by connecting learning with local territories to foster community engagement. Education is thus understood as a tool for systemic change, rather than merely a means of knowledge transmission.

 

Human-Centred AI & Flexible Pathways: Making Digital Transformation Actually Transformative

 

The second panel examines artificial intelligence and digitalisation from a human-centred perspective, highlighting the importance of designing flexible learning pathways that can adapt to changing contexts. It also addresses the need to ensure that digital transformation is truly inclusive, ethical and oriented towards meaningful learning, emphasising that technology should not be an end in itself, but a tool serving transformative education.

 

 

Coaching for Courage: Team-Entrepreneurship as a Vehicle for Transformative Education

The third panel introduces team entrepreneurship as a key pedagogical approach to fostering competences such as leadership, resilience and decision-making. “Coaching for courage” is presented as an educational strategy that encourages students to face uncertainty and develop innovative initiatives. In this way, transformative education is linked to action, experimentation and challenge-based learning.

Policy → Practice: Turning European Initiatives into Transformative Learning

In the afternoon, the fourth panel explores the relationship between European education policies and their implementation within institutions. It examines how strategic frameworks and European programmes can be translated into concrete and effective learning experiences. This session highlights the importance of bridging the gap between policy design and educational practice, ensuring that institutional initiatives have a tangible impact on both teaching staff and students.

The day concludes with the opening of the exhibition “Pedagogy as Art, Art as Pedagogy”, which reinforces the idea of education as a creative practice.

Second day: collaborative work and development of strategic lines

The second day, Thursday 26 March, focuses on parallel working groups, where participants collaboratively address the main pillars of transformative education. Following an initial session presenting a summary of mid-term results, the following working groups—reflecting the project’s strategic priorities—are held:

• Artificial intelligence in teaching and learning: analysis of its applications, ethical challenges and transformative potential.
• Curricular structures: review of educational models to adapt them to new social and professional demands.
• Learning spaces: exploration of physical and digital environments that support innovative methodologies.
• Future skills and interdisciplinarity: identification of key competences and promotion of cross-disciplinary approaches.

The second day concludes with a wrap-up session in which the main outcomes of each group are shared, while 27 March is devoted to individual meetings of the different work packages within the alliance.

The third episode of the video podcast STARS EU Highlights, which explores European values for innovation in education, examines how higher education institutions—particularly those located outside major capitals—are strengthening their connection with the surrounding socio-economic environment. Titled From Campuses to Communities: Universities Driving Social Change in Europe, the programme reflects on the capacity of these institutions to create meaningful impact on citizens.

Youtube

Spotify

The guest on this ocassion is Dorina Gjipali, lecturer at the Faculty of Political Science & Law at the Alexander Moisiu University of Durrës (Albania), one of the nine member universities of the STARS EU Alliance. Gjipali discusses the role higher education institutions play in building more inclusive, sustainable societies that are engaged with their communities.

Connecting knowledge and community

 

The interview emphasises the importance of strengthening the link between academic activity and the real needs of society. In this context, Gjipali highlights the so-called “third mission” of higher education institutions: a dimension that complements teaching and research and focuses on generating tangible and measurable benefits for society.

 

This approach translates into initiatives that open universities to their communities through collaborative programmes with local administrations, social organisations, or businesses. Examples include volunteering projects, civic education activities, and university legal clinics providing free legal advice to individuals with limited resources.

The transformative role of students

A central element of this podcast is the significance of student participation in such initiatives. Through community projects, volunteering programmes, and educational activities, students not only develop professional skills but also strengthen their commitment to society.

Gjipali also points out that these experiences allow young people to acquire academic knowledge, develop as responsible citizens, gain awareness of social challenges, and feel empowered to contribute to improving their surroundings.

Cooperation to tackle common challenges

The episode also underscores the importance of alliances between European academic institutions, such as STARS EU, which promotes the exchange of best practices and cooperation in areas such as digital transition, environmental sustainability, and social inclusion. Through these collaborative networks, participating institutions seek to enhance their impact on the regions where they are located, thereby contributing to sustainable regional development in Europe.

With this new episode, STARS EU Highlights emphasises the role of higher education institutions as key actors in building more participatory, innovative societies that are closely connected to the needs and demands of their communities and populations.

International student teams, real regional challenges and an intensive week of collaborative project work – this was the second edition of FutureLab Camp, held on 2–6 March 2026 in Belfort, France. The programme, organised within the STARS EU – Strategic Alliance for Regional Transition, brought together 34 students from partner universities across Europe.

The 2026 edition was hosted by Université Marie et Louis Pasteur and organised in the Blended Intensive Programme (BIP) format, combining an intensive on-site workshop week with continued online collaboration in the following months.

Students from universities in France, Germany, Spain, Portugal, the Netherlands, Sweden, the Czech Republic, Albania and Poland took part in the camp. Working in international and interdisciplinary teams, participants addressed real development challenges of the Belfort–Montbéliard region, combining perspectives from engineering, architecture, technology and social sciences.

The event was organised by the French STARS EU partners, with Prof. Robin Roche (Université Marie et Louis Pasteur, FEMTO-ST Institute) and Dr Halima Ikaouassen (Université Marie et Louis Pasteur – IUT Nord Franche-Comté) coordinating the academic programme and project activities in Belfort.

During the week in France, students also participated in study visits to local institutions and companies, including the headquarters of the Pays de Montbéliard Agglomeration Authority and the Peugeot Museum, gaining insight into the region’s industrial and economic context, particularly its strong links to the energy, mobility and manufacturing sectors.

Three projects for the future of the region

Participants worked on three challenge-based projects developed in cooperation with regional stakeholders. The tasks focused on energy transition, technological innovation and sustainable urban and campus development.

• Revitalisation of the Portes du Jura former polyclinic – a hydrogen technology demonstrator: This project, developed in cooperation with Pays de Montbéliard Agglomération, explored the transformation of a former medical facility into a demonstration centre for hydrogen technologies. Students worked on the functional concept of the building, potential uses of the space and strategies for promoting hydrogen innovation and public awareness.
• Energy, data and artificial intelligence – an innovation hub for Belfort: The second challenge was prepared together with Grand Belfort Communauté d’Agglomération. Students designed concepts for a collaborative innovation space bringing together researchers, startups and industry partners, focusing on energy transition, data analysis and artificial intelligence.
• Sustainable student living environments: The third project, developed in cooperation with Université Marie et Louis Pasteur – IUT Nord Franche-Comté, addressed the future of student housing and campus life. Teams proposed ideas for sustainable, energy-efficient and socially engaging living spaces designed to meet the evolving needs of students and universities.

After presenting their concepts to institutional partners at the end of the workshop week, the teams will continue developing their projects online until June 2026, when final presentations will take place.

From Kraków to Europe

FutureLab Camp is one of the flagship educational initiatives of STARS EU – Strategic Alliance for Regional Transition, which brings together nine European universities working jointly to support regional transformation through innovation, research and modern education.

The Belfort camp builds on the success of the first edition held in Kraków in 2025, where international student teams developed concepts supporting the development of the Zakliczyn municipality in southern Poland, focusing on topics such as public space design, tourism development and local infrastructure.

According to Adam Sadło, FutureLab Camp task leader within STARS EU: “FutureLab Camp demonstrates how much can be achieved when students from different countries and disciplines collaborate on ambitious regional challenges. Bringing together diverse perspectives, interests and experiences leads to creative solutions even within a single intensive week of teamwork. It is also a valuable opportunity for students to learn how to collaborate in an international environment that will shape their future professional careers.”

The third edition of FutureLab Camp is planned for 2027 at the Polytechnic Institute of Bragança in Portugal, continuing the development of this collaborative, challenge-based learning model across the STARS EU alliance.

This Sunday, 8^th of March, we celebrate International Women’s Day, a date that commemorates women’s struggle to participate, on equal terms, in society, the labour market, and all areas of public and private life. On this occasion, STARS EU joins this important celebration and has prepared a series of initiatives that will take place across the universities that form part of the alliance, with the aim of highlighting progress, reflecting on the challenges that remain, and continuing to promote equality.

In recent decades, historic advances have been made in rights, education, labour participation and even political participation, although the latter to a lesser extent. However, these advances have not had the same impact globally, and the gender gap persists, being greater in some parts of the world than in others. Furthermore, despite these significant achievements, much remains to be done, particularly in areas related to domestic work, the care economy, and the fight against gender-based and sexist violence.

This year’s International Women’s Day theme, “Give to gain,” highlights the idea that meaningful progress in gender equality requires deliberate action and contributions from governments, institutions and individuals; when we work to advance women’s rights, we strengthen our societies. In this regard, STARS EU also calls for a more active role from social actors, particularly encouraging men to engage in this important challenge, as only through collaboration and generosity can we build a more equitable and inclusive world.

Aware of the need to continue advancing in the field of rights, STARS EU has established an international working group on Gender Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (GEDI). The STARS EU GEDI team works to promote equality, diversity and inclusion across the alliance and its member universities. Inspired by the values symbolised in the Star Wars films, the GEDI team also embraces the idea that “The Force be with us” in our daily work, guiding our collective efforts to achieve meaningful progress towards equality.

STARS EU joint initiatives

Women in Science – Our Women in Science series, which began on 11 February, continues to highlight women’s participation in science until next Sunday.

STARS EU Highlights – On the 11th, a new video podcast entitled GEDI IN ACADEMIA: WHY GENDER EQUALITY, DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION MATTER will be published, in which we will highlight the importance of universities as spaces for reinforcing diversity, equality and inclusion.

STARS Talks: On 31 March, we will discuss about “Gender-based and sexual violence”.

In addition, our universities have organised an extensive programme of activities at the local level to commemorate this important day.

Hochschule Bremen City University of Applied Sciences

FLINTA* is a group from Bremen University of Applied Sciences that is created with the objective of creating a safe space for FLINTA* people where to exchange ideas and spend time together in a relaxed atmosphere. During the semester, they organise regular meetings and events, such as game afternoons, film evenings, picnics or joint craft activities. Those meetings are by and for FLINTA*.

But what does the term FLINTA* actually mean? FLINTA* stands for women, lesbians, inter, non-binary, trans and agender people. Whether you are FLINTA* or not, they do not presume to judge. No one has to explain or prove themselves to them. You can reach FLINTA group by email (flintastudis@hs-bremen.de), on Instagram (@flintastudishb) or in the WhatsApp community. https://fachschaften-hsb.de/flinta/

University of La Laguna

The ULL has developed an extensive programme to commemorate 8 March, including talks, debates, exhibitions and activities aimed at commemorating Women’s Day and highlighting the importance of continuing to work towards full equality and diversity in our societies. These are some of the initiatives planned for these days:

Commemoration ceremony, Monday 9 March, at 12 noon:

1. Presentation of the micro-documentary “La palabra heredada” (The Inherited Word).
2. Musical performance by Ida Susal, singer-songwriter.
3. Reading of the Manifesto of the Network of Equality Units of Spanish Universities by the Gender Equality Unit.

Daughters of Fear: Gender violence through the eyes of children, a space for dialogue committed to the protection and comprehensive care of victims of gender violence. On March the 13th, the ULL, through the University Institute of Women’s Studies (IUEM), in collaboration with local stakeholders, will hold this space for dialogue with judges and jurists who are authors of the book Hijas del Miedo (Daughters of Fear), which will address gender violence by highlighting the impact it has on children and adolescents who grow up in violent environments, as well as on their mothers and caregivers, reflecting on the consequences of this violence on the development and well-being of children and on the situation of women who suffer it.

Purple march for sport. The Sports Service of the University of Laguna invites the university community to participate in the ‘Violet march for sport’ on Tuesday, 17 March 2026, from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., in celebration of International Women’s Day, under the slogan “Rights. Justice. Action. For ALL women and girls.”

Bragança Polytechnic University

IPB presents the International Women’s Day celebrations, with the theme “Women’s Journeys: Challenges and Achievements”, which will take place on March 11, 2026, at 2:00 p.m.

The event is intended as a moment of reflection and sharing on women’s professional paths and affirmation, gender equality, and the fundamental role of higher education in building active and inclusive citizenship. The program includes a keynote speaker “Breaking stigmas, building bridges” (the first Romani female lawyer in Portugal), the session “Dress my skin…the empathic power of an advertising campaign”, a round table with testimonials from female graduates from each of the IPB’s Higher Schools, and cultural moments by female teachers, students, and staff at IPB.

Alexander Moisiu University

On the occasion of International Women’s Day, the University “Aleksandër Moisiu” of Durrës (UAMD) has organized a social and awareness initiative dedicated to celebrating and recognizing the role of women in society. The main activity is a social discussion titled “Ftesë – Për ty që mban botën mbi shpatulla me dashuri të madhe!” (Invitation – For you who carry the world on your shoulders with such big love), which will take place on 8 March 2026 at 18:00 at the Cultural Center in Durrës. The event brings together high school students from Durrës, Kavajë, Fushë Krujë and Krujë, as well as UAMD students and representatives from civil society.

The initiative aims to encourage reflection on the role, challenges, and contributions of women in society, while also promoting dialogue between young people, academia, and the wider community.

In addition to the discussion event, UAMD has prepared a special video initiative involving both academic and administrative staff of the university. In the video, staff members symbolically receive a rose from UAMD in recognition of their contribution and dedication. This gesture represents appreciation, respect, and gratitude toward the women who contribute daily to the academic and institutional life of the university.

Through these activities, UAMD reaffirms its commitment to promoting respect, inclusion, and recognition of women’s contributions within the university community and beyond.

Hanze University of Applied Sciences

On March 9^th, there will be a lecture on health and menopause by Dr. Madelon Va  Oostrom at Hanze University. She is Associate Professor Digital Literacy and Inclusion and member of LeanIn, the organization of the meeting.

Cracow University of Technology

On March 9, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., a special event – Women’s Forum 2026 titled “The Future Belongs to You” – will take place on the campus of Cracow University of Technology. The event is designed for ambitious women who want to consciously build their career paths in the engineering and business sectors, as announced by the organizers: the Foundation for the Support of Sustainable Construction and the Polish Chamber of Civil Engineers.

Programme:

Panel I – Women of Success: Stories of female engineers who have achieved success in the industry and will share their professional journeys, challenges, and practical advice for those just starting out.

Panel II – Building a Personal Brand and Conscious Career Planning: Meetings with HR specialists and lawyers. You will learn, among other things: how to effectively search for a job in the technical sector, how to prepare a professional CV, how to create a standout LinkedIn profile, what the difference is between a B2B contract and an employment contract, and which form of cooperation to choose at the beginning of your career.

In2CoP 2026 – International Conference on Co-Creation Processes in Higher Education brought together the STARS EU community for three days of collaboration, innovation and knowledge exchange, hosted by Bragança Polytechnic University (IPB) within the framework of the STARS EU.

This edition placed a strong emphasis on STARS EU’s Thematic Interest Groups (TIGs), particularly Circular Economy and Arts & Creative Industries, fostering interdisciplinary approaches to address contemporary challenges in technology, sustainability, health and social intervention.

The conference gathered over 180 participants from 11 countries – Portugal, Brazil, Ireland, Poland, the Netherlands, Albania, Spain, Sweden, Germany, India and Norway – representing more than 20 higher education institutions, research centres and partner organisations.

Co-creation as a driver for innovation

Throughout the conference, more than 60 co-creation prototypes were presented by international, multidisciplinary teams, highlighting the strong link between education, research, creativity and societal impact.

Award-winning prototypes

Three outstanding prototypes were recognised with monetary awards, one per category: Technology – Designing a Game to Enhance Productivity and Engagement; Sustainability – Trachea Implants Made from Resilin-Based Materials and Health & Social Intervention – CuboNutri: An Educational Game for Building Balanced Lunchboxes.

A conference aligned with the STARS EU vision

Beyond plenary sessions, thematic panels and prototype presentations, In2CoP 2026 promoted networking, collaboration and strategic reflection on the future of European higher education.

The conference reaffirmed the shared commitment of STARS EU partners to a more collaborative, inclusive and innovation-driven higher education ecosystem, demonstrating how co-creation can be a key instrument in responding to social, economic and environmental challenges at regional and global levels.

STARS EU has opened a call for undergraduate, master’s and doctoral students to participate in the international online Digital Transformation Workshop, which will be held on June 12, 2026.

The aim of the event is to foster research collaborations between member universities, create a network of students within STARS EU and provide a space for the presentation and discussion of research papers.

Areas of work

The workshop will be organized into three areas of work: Artificial Intelligence, coordinated by Raphël Couturier, from the Marie and Louis Pasteur University (France); Cybersecurity, coordinated by Joanna Kolodziej, from the Polytechnic University of Krakow (Poland) and Digital literacy, inclusion and education, coordinated by Madelon van Oostrom, from the Hanze University of Applied Sciences (Netherlands).

The call for applications ─whose contributions on ongoing or completed research must be submitted in English─ is open to students from all disciplines belonging to the nine member universities of STARS EU.

Deadline for submission

Abstracts, whose maximum length is 3,000 characters (including spaces) must be submitted before May 1, 2026, through the following platform: https://cmt3.research.microsoft.com/OWDT2026

Those responsible for each thematic line will carry out the evaluation of the works at the end of May 2026.

On January 28, Bragança Polytechnic University (IPB) – a partner institution of the STARS EU European University Alliance – celebrated the 43rd anniversary of its foundation with a formal ceremony held in Chaves, Portugal.

The event brought together members of the academic community, institutional representatives, national and international partners, alumni and guests, highlighting IPB’s journey as a public higher education institution firmly committed to regional development, innovation, internationalisation and people-centred education.

A key moment of the ceremony was the Opening Lecture, delivered by Henrique de Barros, Professor of Epidemiology and President of the Institute of Public Health of the University of Porto, who challenged the academic community to reflect on entrepreneurial attitudes as drivers of healthier lives and societies.

During the ceremony, IPB awarded its Honorary Medals, recognising strategic partnerships at the national and international level. The International Honorary Medal was awarded to the University of Vigo (Spain) in recognition of its long-standing contributions to cross-border academic and scientific cooperation.

The celebration also marked 10 years of the Double Degree Programme with CEFET/RJ (Brazil), a flagship example of sustained international collaboration and academic mobility.

Excellence in education and research was further recognised through Alumni Career Awards, Merit Scholarships, academic prizes, and distinctions for applied research with territorial impact, reflecting IPB’s strong connection between higher education, innovation and regional transformation.

As a STARS EU partner, IPB’s 43rd anniversary highlights the alliance’s shared values – transforming regions and empowering people through education, research, and innovation across Europe.

The alliance demonstrates its commitment to full and inclusive participation of women in scientific and technological fields through Women in Science

Every year, on February 11, the world commemorates the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, an official United Nations celebration dedicated to promoting full and equal participation in STEM fields. This day highlights the achievements of women in science and raises awareness of the gender gaps that still persist.

Despite significant progress in recent years, the gender gap in science remains a reality, both globally and in the European Union. The most recent data confirm that, despite advances, gender inequality in science persists. Worldwide, only one in three researchers is a woman, reflecting structural underrepresentation. In the European Union (EU), women represent 34 % of research personnel, according to the She Figures 2024 report.

Women Graduates

In higher education, women are the majority among graduates at bachelor’s and master’s levels, even in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields. However, this trend weakens in later stages of scientific careers. Although women make up 48 % of doctoral students, they are less likely to pursue these studies (8 % compared to 11 % of men).

Female representation varies significantly by field. Women are the majority in Education, exceeding 60 % of doctoral graduates, while remaining underrepresented in Information and Communication Technologies and Engineering, where they do not reach 40 %. Furthermore, since 2018, there has been a decline in female presence in disciplines such as physical sciences, mathematics, and statistics.

In the labour market, women constitute only 25 % of self-employed professionals in science, engineering, and ICT. This inequality is more pronounced at the highest levels of academic careers, where women occupy only 30 % of top academic positions (grade A), even in areas where they are more prevalent at earlier stages.

Persistent Challenges

Despite advances in access to education, women still face obstacles such as lack of funding, gender stereotypes, and discriminatory practices in the workplace. This exclusion limits collective capacity to address global challenges such as climate change, public health, or space security. In this context, the UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, has reiterated the need for more women scientists, especially in STEM fields.

This year, the theme of the International Day of Women and Girls in Science 2026 is: “Synergy between AI, Social Sciences, STEM, and Finance: Building Inclusive Futures for Women and Girls,” emphasizing the importance of gender equality in emerging technologies.

Women in Science

To celebrate this day and demonstrate its commitment to inclusive participation of women in scientific and technological fields, STARS EU presents Women in Science, a series of interviews highlighting brilliant women who drive scientific progress daily across its nine associated institutions. This initiative calls on the university community to continue working towards a more equal and inclusive world.

From February 11 until March 8, coinciding with International Women’s Day, nine individual video portraits will be shared, each dedicated to a STARS EU researcher whose work embodies the spirit of this international commemoration. Whether in cutting-edge technologies, public policy, social analysis, or sustainable solutions, these scientists showcase the impact and potential of women in science.

The videos will feature their career journeys: what motivated them to become researchers, the challenges they have faced, and the advice they offer to young women and girls considering a scientific career.

Their stories offer an opportunity to reflect and share ideas on how far we have come, but also on how much work remains. Their experiences demonstrate that science progresses when every voice can contribute.