During the month of June 2026, the Department of English and American Studies at the Faculty of Philosophy and Science, Silesian University in Opava (Czechia), welcomed several academic colleagues from Aleksandër Moisiu University in Durrës (Albania).

The mobility brought together colleagues from the Institutes of Foreign Languages, creating valuable opportunities for professional exchange and future cooperation. The visiting academics represented a wide range of expertise, including English language teaching methodology, linguistics, sociolinguistics, English literature, culture and translation studies, classroom management, technology-enhanced learning, intercultural studies, and many more.

Good practices

Throughout their stay, they engaged in inspiring discussions with colleagues from the Department of English and American Studies, namely Michaela Weiss, Diana Adamová, Barbora Hamplová, and Veronika Nogolová, who are themselves experts in these fields, sharing good practices in language teaching, curriculum development, innovative pedagogical approaches, research, and the internationalization of higher education. The exchange of perspectives fostered meaningful academic dialogue and helped identify common areas of interest for future collaboration.

The meetings resulted in several concrete outcomes. The institutions agreed to organize mutual invited lectures for students and academic staff, explore opportunities for Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) activities, and develop joint specialized projects, further strengthening cooperation within the STARS EU Alliance.

Cooperation in teaching

The Department of English and American Studies at Silesian University in Opava looks forward to continuing this successful cooperation with Aleksandër Moisiu University and implementing the initiatives discussed during the June mobility.

The visit strengthened the partnership between both institutions and laid the foundation for future cooperation in teaching, research, and academic mobility, further supporting the internationalization goals of the STARS EU Alliance.

A delegation from Aleksandër Moisiu University of Durrës (UAMD), Albania, one of its strategic partners within the STARS EU Alliance, visited Bragança Polytechnic University (IPB) from 26 to 30 June. The delegation, led by Rector Shkëlqim Fortuzi, included Vice-Rector Azeta Tartaraj, deans and faculty members from various scientific fields.

The visit aimed to deepen institutional cooperation already underway between the two institutions, while promoting strategic alignment in areas such as Management, Education, Languages, Public Administration and Law.

The programme began on 26 June with an official reception at the IPB Presidency, followed by a visit to the School of Technology and Management (ESTiG) and UNIAG – Applied Management Research Unit. Discussions focused on ongoing and potential collaboration within the International Business Management joint degree and other shared initiatives in Management and Information Systems.

Participation in Helix’25 Conference

In the following days, UAMD representatives took part in the international Helix’25 Conference, hosted by IPB. The event gathered researchers, academics, and public and private stakeholders to discuss regional innovation and sustainability.

Further meetings were held at the School of Education (ESEB) and CITeD – Transdisciplinary Research Center in Education and Development, to explore cooperation in Education and Language studies.

This visit reflects the growing bonds within STARS EU, reinforcing the alliance’s mission to foster internationalisation, knowledge co-creation, and sustainable regional development across Europe.

The 4th edition of the BIP – Blended Intensive Programme Local Markets,  organised by Bragança Polytechnic University (IPB), has concluded, bringing together 33 students and nine teachers from Portugal, Romania, Spain, Croatia, Serbia, the Czech Republic, Poland, Moldova, and Brazil. This cross-border programme, in which students from STARS EU participated, blends culture, art, community, and international cooperation.

Over the course of two months, participants undertook a multidisciplinary creative journey in Multimedia, developing projects in photography, design, audiovisual media, and illustration. Final presentations were held last week in Mirandela and Bragança, the heart of the programme’s in-person activities.

The program was developed from a holistic perspective as a starting point for developing creative projects in animation, design, photography, film, drawing, architecture, digital media, and music. These initiatives are closely linked to local markets and their cultural origins, ensuring their relevance and authenticity.

Coordinated by Professors Ana Lúcia Pinto and Carlos Casimiro Costa from the Multimedia degree at EsACT-IPB, with support from Tiago Fernandes, Arlindo Santos, and Roberto Vaz, through the Integrated Project curricular unit, the programme was carried out in collaboration with several partner institutions: Ștefan cel Mare University (Suceava, Romania), Politehnica University of Timișoara (Romania), University of La Laguna (Spain), Silesian University in Opava (Czech Republic), University of Osijek (Croatia), University of the National Education Commission (Poland), and the Federal Institute of Science and Technology of Maranhão (Brazil).

Special recognition is given to Kinga Racoń-Leja, from Kraków University of Technology (Poland) and Jana Orlova Silesian University in Opava (Czech Republic), representing STARS EU, and to Stefan Sfichi (Romania), the project’s longest-standing international partner.

Local visits

Local partners played a vital role in the success of the programme, including Galeria do Mercado, Graça Morais Mountain Arts Lab, ACIMirandela, Georges Dussaud Photography Centre, Côa Museum, the Confraria da Alheira de Mirandela, Padaria Seramota, Café Rodrigues, the Cooperative of Honey and Nuts from Terra Quente, and the Municipality of Mirandela. The initiative also received institutional support from EsACT-IPB and ESEB.

The programme also celebrated community spirit and friendship, with music by Eduardo Beça closing the week in true Erasmus+ style.

The Rector of Aleksandër Moisiu University of Durrës (UAMD), Shkëlqim Fortuzi, received a delegation from the Bragança Polytechnic University (IPB) in recent days. A meeting in which both institutions strengthened relations and on which Fortuzi highlighted the “successful cooperation and close relationship” between both academic centers, as partners of the European University Alliance STARS EU.

The meeting served to point out the strengthening of current common projects thanks to the implementation of the Joint Studies Program in International Business Management, which will be crowned with the incorporation of four UAMD students in the IPB, during the next academic year.

The IPB delegation, ─headed by Nuno Ribeiro, Dean of the Faculty of Technology and Management─ was made up of Sónia Nogueira, Dean of the Faculty of Communication, Public Administration and Tourism; Paula Odete Fernandes, Coordinator of the Applied Management Research Unit; Nuno Moutinho, Director of the Bachelor’s Program in International Business Management; José Carlos Rufino, professor of Computer Science; Rute Couto, as well as the professors of Law and Public Administration, Bernardete Bittencourt and Filipe Rodrigues.

Cristina Mesquita, from the Office for International Relations, and Elisabete Silva, Coordinator of the Interdisciplinary Research Centre for Education and Development, highlighted the “close cooperation” between both institutions. The lecturers, along with other participants in the meeting, emphasised the need to deepen joint projects in scientific research, academic and student exchange, as well as the shared multidisciplinary path towards internationalisation.

This meeting forms part of the initiatives being carried out by both UAMD and IPB to strengthen institutional, pedagogical and student cooperation, with the aim of jointly contributing to the European academic area and regional development—key objectives outlined in STARS EU.

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.