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.

The Second Edition of the International Conference on Co-Creation Process (IN2COP) was recently held at Bragança Polytechnic University, marking a significant collaboration with STARS EU partners. Distinguished personalities such as Vanessa Dubois, from the European Commission, and Tia Loukoula, from OECD, took the stage as plenary speakers, sparking insightful discussions on the future of higher education within the framework of European Alliances and the evolving landscape of future skills demanded by the job market.

The event provided a platform for Portuguese Polytechnic Universities, as members of European University Alliances, to exchange insights on governance models and legal frameworks pertinent to European Alliances. Participants from diverse backgrounds, including professors, students, researchers, academic staff, and external stakeholders representing various scientific domains and economic sectors, convened to share best practices and prototype outcomes of co-creation processes.

One of the highlights was the public unveiling of a microcredentials programme at Bragança Polytechnic University, codesigned with regional stakeholders. The event also featured a presentation by the president of Compete 2030, shedding light on funding opportunities available to both companies and higher education institutions.

The conference’s final day was dedicated to showcasing Erasmus+ projects implemented at Bragança Polytechnic University, offering a unique platform for six schools and four research centers to exchange experiences, establish connections, and disseminate their findings.

The STARS EU Steering Committee took advantage of this gathering to reflect on past achievements and outline future endeavors, underscoring the event’s importance as a catalyst for collaboration and innovation in higher education.

More pictures of the event

The Polythechnic Institute of Bragança will host its International Conference on Co-Creation Processes in Higher Education (In2CoP) on 30-31 January and 1 February 2024.

Those interested in attending the event can register until 20 December, and those who also wish to participate in a co-creation project proposal can do so until 30 November. Links for both processes are available on the event’s website.

As Orlando Rodrigues, president of the organising university, explains, co-creating Innovation have long been integral to the mission of Bragança Polytechnic University and now, within the STARS EU environemt, they have “adopted a pedagogical approach that places significant emphasis on fostering inherent collaboration with external stakeholders from all regions of our nine european partners”.

Therefore, In2CoP aims to serve as a “crucial platform for reflection and the sharing of insights garnered from co-creation ecosystems”, designed to inspire and sustain the growth of a multidisciplinary and multicultural learning community. The final porgramme of this evento Will be published later this month.