Countdown to the STARS EU Annual Conference in Albania, a transformative event bridging education, innovation and development

STARS EU is finalising preparations for its major annual event, which will be held from 19 to 21 March at the Aleksandër Moisiu University in Durrës (Albania), one of the nine partners of the alliance. The event, which aims to mark an important step in the field of European higher education, will be attended by leading authorities of the country, academics, researchers and representatives of the industrial sector.

Organised by Aleksandër Moisiu University, the conference ‘Research the WORLD. Reach the STARS’ highlight initiatives driven by interdisciplinary research and collaboration, thus reinforcing the alliance’s commitment to fostering resilient communities across Europe. It will also serve as a forum for strategic discussions on how universities and other stakeholders can cooperate to shape the future of research and innovation at European level.

The event, which will focus on exploring best practices in knowledge transfer, regional economic empowerment and the impact of research partnerships on societal progress, will be attended by representatives of different European institutions, government bodies and regional organisations.

The role of universities

At this event, fundamental questions will be put on the table about the role played by universities in regional development: from the promotion of economic growth, the possible influence on public policies or the contribution to sustainability objectives.

Intersectoral collaboration and the need to strengthen cooperation between universities, companies and public administrations to enhance the social impact of innovation and research, as well as the decisive role of science in the formation of an educational system capable of facing the challenges of the future, are other axes around which this meeting will be discussed, which is expected to bring together more than 200 people.

Another of the focal points of this event is the interdisciplinary perspective of higher education, especially with regard to strategies to promote integration between different disciplines, the promotion of new training paths and the promotion of creativity and innovation among students.

Keynote lectures and round tables

 The event will feature high-level presentations and debates on key topics such as transformations in regional policies and the role of universities in socio-economic development; funding mechanisms, the mobility of research and technology, as well as their influence on the evolution of academic institutions and collaborative research as a response to global challenges, without losing sight of their impact on sustainable growth.

In addition to the conferences, attendees will be able to participate in interactive parallel sessions and working groups focused on university-business cooperation and knowledge transfer, strategies for the digital, social and green transition in higher education, student participation initiatives, as well as mobility programs and innovative learning environments.

 

Visits and networking opportunities

The strengthening of the connection between academia and industry will be addressed with visits to innovation and regional development centers ─where it will be shown how universities and economic sectors collaborate in the promotion of innovation─ and spaces dedicated to networking and the generation of strategic alliances between STARS EU institutions.

The conference is presented as a key opportunity to strengthen institutional collaboration, exchange ideas and define future strategies in an environment conducive to debate and the generation of alliances.

There are many advantages to participating in this forum. These include access to high-level debates on the future of higher education, being aware of new policy frameworks and strategic priorities that will mark the academic agenda, as well as connecting with academic leaders and promoting collaborative research projects and institutional agreements.

The conference Research the WORLD. Reach the STARS will be a unique opportunity to explore new forms of cooperation and advance the transformation of European higher education in an ever-evolving global context.

You can get more information about the agenda and program of the event by clicking here.