More than 60 students from the nine universities of the STARS EU Alliance will present their proposals for imagining and designing the European campus of the future on Tuesday, 7 July, at 10:15 a.m. (CEST), as part of the project Ou(te)r Campus – European Campus, A Living Lab. The presentation, which will take place at Hochschule Bremen – City University of Applied Sciences (HSB), Germany, will also be streamed online via Zoom.

The students, organised into international and interdisciplinary teams, have spent the past few months developing ideas on how European higher education institutions can become spaces for exchange, collaboration, mobility and connections between physical and digital environments.

A multidimensional European campus

The project, developed over the course of a year as a living lab at HSB’s School of Architecture, explores how a European campus can be conceived, designed and tested from a perspective that is not only digital, but also physical, social and spatial.

Participants will present five projects focusing on topics such as European research and exchange structures, shared resources, new exhibition and outreach formats, spaces for social interaction, and digital applications aimed at promoting physical activity, interaction and networking on campus.

The European campus as a living lab

As part of the initiative, HSB is also hosting an exhibition dedicated to the work developed by the students. The exhibition, inaugurated on 30 June, can be visited free of charge until 8 July, Monday to Friday, from 12 noon to 5:00 p.m.

Ou(te)r Campus – European Campus, A Living Lab has been developed as a Master’s module at HSB’s School of Architecture and is based on the Interspace teaching and research format, which was adapted this year within the framework of STARS EU to explore the concept of the European campus as a living lab.

From a pilot experience to a Living Lab

One of the central elements of the project was the Ou[te]r Campus Blended Intensive Programme (BIP), organised by STARS EU and involving students from all nine partner universities. During the first days of May and throughout the semester, participants worked hand in hand in international and interdisciplinary teams with the support of academic staff from all alliance member institutions.

What began as a pilot experience in 2025 has evolved into a Blended Intensive Programme (BIP) and subsequently into a European Living Lab, demonstrating STARS EU’s ability to foster innovative models of cooperation in higher education. Experimental initiatives have become consolidated spaces for learning, research and international collaboration aimed at shaping the European campus of the future.

Practical information

Final presentation

Ou(te)r Campus – European Campus, A Living Lab
Tuesday, 7 July 2026, 10:15 a.m.
Room S12, Hochschule Bremen – City University of Applied Sciences (HSB), Bremen
Zoom link: Join the experience
Meeting ID: 690 1661 0071
Passcode: 430061

Exhibition

1–8 July 2026 (opening: 30 June, 5:00 p.m.), from 12 noon to 5:00 p.m.
AB Galerie – Transferlabor, Hochschule Bremen – City University of Applied Sciences, Bremen.

Bragança Polytechnic University (IPB) is preparing the first edition of the International Challenge-Based Semester, a 30 ECTS international learning experience developed within the framework of the STARS EU Alliance and designed for students who want to learn beyond traditional classrooms.

Planned for the second semester of the 2026/2027 academic year, the programme will bring together students from different countries and academic backgrounds to work on real-world challenges through multidisciplinary, project-based learning.

Taught entirely in English, the semester will combine academic learning, applied research, field experience and collaboration with external stakeholders. Students will work in international teams, developing innovative solutions to challenges connected to local and regional contexts while strengthening their research, communication and problem-solving skills.

Key features of the programme include:

• International and multidisciplinary teams

• Real-world challenges

• Applied research and innovation

• Collaboration with stakeholders

• 30 ECTS taught in English

The International Challenge-Based Semester is being developed as a pilot initiative and represents an important step towards new forms of European collaboration in higher education. By connecting students, research, innovation and regional impact, it reflects the STARS EU vision of creating transformative learning experiences that empower people and contribute to the development of regions.

A total of 56 people from six of the nine universities that make up the European university alliance STARS EU, as well as specialists from other entities, took part between 22 and 24 June in an international workshop on intellectual property, knowledge transfer and commercialisation of research results held at the Faculty of Engineering and Technology of the University of La Laguna.

The First STARS EU Workshop on Intellectual Property and Commercialisation aimed to strengthen the training of young researchers in the protection of research results, intellectual property and market transfer, as well as to update knowledge among staff from the technology transfer offices of partner universities and foster the exchange of best practices in this field.

The meeting brought together 26 doctoral students, most of them from the Cracow University of Technology, along with young researchers, staff from research results transfer offices (TTOs) and entrepreneurs linked to R&D projects from the Silesian University in Opava; the Alexandër Moisiu University of Durrës; the University of Applied Sciences Bremen, and the University of the West, as well as staff from ULL.

According to Rodrigo Trujillo, coordinator of the STARS EU Transfer Office and organiser of the workshop together with the ULL TTO, the commercialisation of research requires “solid structures” that allow results with economic potential to be brought to the market under optimal conditions. “The goal is to ensure a return on public investment in research and to generate impact both in society and in strategic sectors,” he stressed.

Protection of innovation

The session, which was inaugurated by the Vice-Rector for Research and Transfer of the ULL, Antonio Aparicio, began with Violeta Arnáiz, Head of Intellectual Property, Artificial Intelligence and Software at PONS IP. The expert focused her intervention on the fundamentals of intellectual and industrial property, as well as on the protection of intangible assets derived from research.

In this regard, she highlighted the importance of knowing, from the earliest stages of projects, the legal tools available to avoid “loss of ownership” and to foster a “strong culture” of innovation protection.

Arnáiz presented the main protection instruments, such as copyright, patents, trademarks, industrial designs and trade secrets, and analysed the impact of artificial intelligence on creation and research processes, as well as the management of technological assets and early collaboration agreements.

The second day, led by the Cracow University of Technology (CUT), focused on the management of intellectual property in collaborative research environments and in projects funded by the Horizon Europe programme. The plenary session was delivered by José Manuel Rodríguez, CEO of Wooptix, who presented the success story of this ULL spin-off, which has become one of the most prominent technological spin-offs in Spain and Europe’s innovation ecosystem, achieving international positioning through the development of advanced computational imaging technologies applied to highly demanding technological sectors.

Subsequently, Irena Jakubiec, senior specialist at the Technology Transfer Centre of the Cracow University of Technology, detailed the processes of identifying and managing intellectual property in research projects, in particular the distinction between background and foreground knowledge, models for sharing rights between partners, confidentiality obligations and protection strategies within international consortia.

For his part, Jacek Kasz, director of the same centre, focused his contributions on academic entrepreneurship, value creation models based on research and different funding routes for technology startups, from early stages through scaling and market entry.

Transfer of scientific results

The third and final day was entirely devoted to transforming scientific results into market opportunities. In it, Marlena Marek presented the international SUCRED platform, aimed at training in the commercialisation of R&D activities. This was followed by a block led by Małgorzata Ciesielska and Irena Jakubiec focused on identifying opportunities for the exploitation of research results, market analysis, customer segmentation, competition analysis and the use of strategic tools such as SWOT analysis.

In the afternoon session, the focus was placed on advanced innovation management, with special attention to the technological maturity of scientific developments, the valuation of intellectual property, the identification of risks in commercialisation processes and the key aspects for establishing effective collaboration with industry. Negotiation techniques, preparation of proposals for industrial partners and strategies to maximise the impact of research results in the market were also addressed.

The first edition of the Erasmus+ Blended Intensive Programme (BIP) Game Development with VR/AR has successfully concluded at Cracow University of Technology, bringing together students and academics from across Europe under the STARS EU Alliance.

The programme combined several weeks of online learning with an intensive on-site week in Kraków, creating a unique international environment where technology, creativity, and intercultural collaboration met in practice.

Opening the on-site week, programme coordinator Adrian Widłak highlighted the spirit of the initiative:

“We are meeting here as part of the Alliance STARS EU, bringing together Poland, France, Germany, and our guests from Slovenia. What I love about this initiative is that it’s not just about mobility. It’s about mixing realities.”

The programme began with an online phase running from 24 March to 26 May 2026. During this period, participants developed skills in C# programming, 3D modelling, Unity game development, and immersive VR and AR technologies.

The international group then gathered in Kraków from 15 to 19 June for the on-site component. Throughout the week, students transformed theoretical knowledge into practical solutions by working in multinational teams on a common challenge.

Their task was to design and develop an augmented reality experience capable of transforming a traditional computer laboratory into an interactive educational escape room. Using tablets, AR tools, and game design principles, participants created missions, puzzles, and story-driven scenarios that blended digital content with physical space.

The resulting projects demonstrated how augmented reality can enhance learning environments, increase engagement, and create new forms of educational interaction.

One of the key objectives of the programme was to strengthen students’ ability to work in international and interdisciplinary teams. Beyond technical development, participants gained valuable experience in communication, problem-solving, project management, and intercultural cooperation.

Academic staff from partner institutions provided expert guidance throughout the programme. Participants were supported by Frédéric Lassabe (France), Volker Paelke (Germany), and Krzysztof Skabek from the Computer Graphics and High Performance Computing Research Group at Cracow University of Technology. Practical workshops and project sessions were led by Adrian Widłak, Gloria Kuliś, and Wojciech Malik.

Their diverse academic and research perspectives enabled students to explore VR and AR technologies from multiple viewpoints and application areas.

The programme also offered participants the opportunity to experience the cultural heritage of southern Poland.

Students visited the Wieliczka Salt Mine and explored Kraków’s historic city centre, both UNESCO World Heritage sites. These visits provided valuable opportunities for networking, cultural exchange, and discovering one of Central Europe’s most historic regions.

The successful delivery of the programme was supported by members of Visgraph, the student scientific association operating under the supervision of Michał Dolina and Jakub Dec. Visgraph students contributed to event organisation, participant support, media coverage, photography, audiovisual production, and promotional activities. Their involvement played an important role in creating a welcoming and professional environment for all participants.

The Game Development with VR/AR programme demonstrated how modern higher education can move beyond traditional teaching models. Rather than passively receiving information, students learned by designing, building, testing, and refining their own ideas. By combining emerging technologies, project-based learning, and international collaboration, the programme provided participants with valuable technical competencies, practical experience, and professional connections that will continue to benefit them long after the programme’s conclusion.

As a STARS EU initiative, the programme also showcased the Alliance’s commitment to creating innovative educational opportunities that prepare students to work and collaborate in an increasingly digital and interconnected Europe.

Academic staff, researchers, doctoral, and master’s students from across Europe and beyond gathered in Besançon, France, from 15 to 19 June 2026 for the 2^nd edition of the Blended Intensive Programme (BIP) on Pedagogical Innovation, this year hosted by the Marie and Louis Pasteur University (UMLP), Faculty of Law, Political Sciences, Economics and Management (UFR SJEPG) in France.

The BIP combined an online phase, consisting of three international seminars in May and June, with a week-long in-person programme in Besançon. Participants represented STARS EU partner universities from Poland, Czechia, Spain, France, Sweden, Germany, Albania, the Netherlands, and Portugal, along with hosts from Morocco and Algeria.

Rethink learning

The in-person sessions focused on topics such as active and social learning, learning design, diversity, and anti-discrimination awareness. Particularly inspiring were workshops on Wild Pedagogies, which encouraged educators to rethink learning beyond traditional classroom settings, as well as sessions dedicated to creating more inclusive and engaging learning environments.

Considerable attention was devoted to the growing impact of artificial intelligence in higher education. Participants discussed the technical foundations of AI and its pedagogical applications, reflecting on how these technologies can support teaching, assessment, and student engagement while also raising important ethical and practical questions.

The week concluded with a session on Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL), during which participants were challenged to design their own COIL and explored how virtual international collaboration can connect students and educators across borders, creating meaningful intercultural learning experiences beyond traditional mobility schemes. It also highlighted new opportunities for cooperation among STARS EU institutions and their international partners.

Profesional relationships

Beyond the academic sessions, participants enjoyed a range of networking and cultural activities, including a campus tour and a visit to the historic Citadelle of Besançon. These shared experiences provided valuable opportunities for building new professional relationships and strengthening connections among colleagues from different countries and institutions.

The BIP highlighted the importance of international collaboration in higher education, offering participants fresh perspectives, practical inspiration, and opportunities for future cooperation. Building on the success of this edition, the next Blended Intensive Programme on Pedagogical Innovation will be hosted by the Bragança Polytechnic University (IPB), Portugal, where educators from across the alliance will continue sharing innovative practices and developing new collaborative initiatives.

Communication within European Universities alliances was the focus of a technical conference held on June 11 at the Toledo campus of the University of Castilla-La Mancha-UCLM (Spain). The conference was sponsored by the Association of Communication Professionals from Spanish Universities and Research Centers (AUGAC) and the COLOURS alliance. At this meeting, the University of La Laguna participated in the panel on “Innovation in Impactful Formats and Tools,” presenting examples of initiatives developed within STARS EU.

Acaimo González, a technician from the Communication Office of the University of La Laguna, was accompanied by the Communication Officer of STARS EU, Beatriz Medina, and presented some of the formats that the alliance is using to disseminate the activity of its members, including the STARS EU Highlights podcast, about teaching innovation; the STARS Talks expert lectures series and, especially focused on students, the STARS in the series Kitchen, where students prepare recipes from their countries, and the Students Takeovers, an action in which a student “manages” the alliance’s Instagram account for a day to present his or her daily life.

Emphasis was also placed on the importance of both having a strong corporate visual identity to help solidify the brand and organizing in-person events, which facilitate greater community engagement compared to online activities. The session format was designed so that the presentations were short and encouraged audience participation and the exchange of experiences.

Arantxa Castaño, from UCLM (COLOURS alliance), also participated in this panel on innovative communication formats, and the debate was joined by the director of El Español de Castilla-La Mancha newspaper, Alberto Morlanes; the editor of Castilla-La Mancha Media, Ángeles Sánchez-Infantes; and the director of the newspaper Vecinos, Rosa Nogués, who shared some key points for alliances to improve their information presence.

The meeting, which brought together around 100 participants from 53 universities and 48 alliances, highlighted the importance of communication in these types of consortia, establishing, among other challenges, the connection with the university community and positioning strategies.

The day began with an analysis of management models and communication structures in different alliances, with the participation of Marta Calvo, from the University of Deusto (UNIC alliance), and Eva Fernández Silva, from the University of Seville ( Ulysseus alliance ). Initiatives that enhance visibility and connection with students were also addressed, with presentations by Bibiana Bonmatí , from the University of Barcelona (CHARM-EU alliance), and Jorge Hernández, from the University of Salamanca (EC2U alliance).

Conclusions

A common diagnosis emerged from the discussions: communication represents approximately 60% of the alliances’ activities, but it lacks dedicated resources, allocated time, and institutional recognition. According to the participants, this lack of professionalization is one of the factors hindering greater impact.

Among the concrete proposals generated by the event were the segmentation of messages by target groups, student involvement as content creators, mobile information booths throughout university campuses, and the creation of local profiles on social media. The importance of integrating partnerships into each university’s overall discourse was also emphasized, so that they are no longer perceived as a project linked exclusively to the vice-rectorates responsible for internationalization.

A delegation from the University of La Laguna (ULL), headed by the STARS EU coordinator, José Sigut, took part on 4 and 5 November in the First Forum of Spanish Universities in European Universities (UEUE), held in Madrid and organised by the Ministry of Universities together with CRUE and the European Commission (EC).

The meeting, hosted at Universidad Rey Juan Carlos (URJC), brought together more than 175 representatives from Spanish universities that are part of European alliances, as well as institutional leaders and higher education experts. The forum was conceived as a space for dialogue and reflection to assess Spain’s progress in this European initiative and to strengthen collaboration among the participating institutions.

Established in 2024, the UEUE Forum aims to reinforce cooperation among Spanish higher education institutions through the structured exchange of knowledge, experience and good practices, with the goal of deepening the integration of the European Higher Education Area. It also acts as a support mechanism for aligning national policies in collaboration with national and European bodies.

Presentations and discussion panels

The opening session highlighted the strategic role of alliances as “instruments for transformation and cooperation among European universities”. The different working groups addressed the development of Joint Degrees, the future implementation of the “European Degree”, micro-credentials, and the role of university alliances in transforming higher education in Europe.

Another central topic discussed in the round tables—alongside the need to grant alliances legal personality—was the importance of developing a quality label for proposals submitted by alliances that did not receive the Erasmus+ funding they had applied for.

In the afternoon session, participants joined thematic workshops structured around three main areas: governance and sustainability; funding and administrative management; and student participation and communication.

The second day, Wednesday 5 November, focused on presenting good practices and defining future lines of cooperation. One of the key points discussed was the importance of linking university alliances with regional innovation ecosystems, with particular attention to initiatives in sustainability, digitalisation and entrepreneurship.

In the closing plenary session, participants agreed on the need to create a national coordination network among Spanish universities involved in European alliances, in order to share resources, exchange experiences and strengthen Spain’s position as a key factor in the European Union’s university policy.

STARS’ commitment to the European project

The delegation from the University of La Laguna, led by the Vice-Rector for Outreach, Internationalisation and Cooperation, Inmaculada Pérez, and the STARS coordinator at ULL, José Francisco Sigut Saavedra, also included José Manuel García Fraga, Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs; María Ruth Dorta González, Director of the Degree Programmes Office; and Carla García, STARS EU officer.

For ULL, “this forum has been an opportunity to highlight the work carried out within STARS EU, as well as to strengthen collaboration with other Spanish universities committed to the European Universities initiative.”

The new campus unifies spaces, services and advantages for the entire university community 

The rectors and presidents of the nine universities that make up the European alliance STARS EU have signed today (Tuesday, November 25) at the University of La Laguna, the STARS EU Campus Charter, a common commitment to build an integrated European campus that facilitates studying, teaching, research and working together for students, faculty and staff throughout the alliance.

The alliance is working to co-create a long-term European campus that links education, research, and innovation, and contributes to the development of its regions by promoting mobility, joint training programs, collaborative research projects, and cooperation with local stakeholders. Other objectives of this initiative include fostering innovation, lifelong learning, inclusion, and sustainability.

This was stated today by the rectors present at the signing of the agreement: Francisco J. García Rodríguez, rector of the University of La Laguna; Dick Pouwels, rector of the Hanze University of Applied Sciences (Netherlands); Konrad Josef Wolf, rector of Hochschule Bremen City University of Applied Sciences (Germany); Orlando Rodrigues, rector of the Polytechnic University of Braganza (Portugal); Tomáš Gongol, rector of the Silesian University in Opava (Czech Republic); Mats Jägstam, rector of the University West (Sweden) and Shkëlqim Fortuz, rector of the Aleksandër Moisiu University in Durrës (Albania).

Along with them, and representing the vice-rectorates of the alliance, were also present Samir Jemei, Vice-President of International Extension, Art, Culture and Scientific Communication of the Marie and Louis Pasteur University (France) and Katarzyna Bizon, Vice-Rector of Education and International Cooperation of the Technological University of Krakow (Poland).

The signing ceremony took place within the framework of the STARS EU working meeting hosted by the ULL from November 25 to 26, 2025. The international working meeting brought together 170 people (academic staff, students and administrative and service staff) from the nine European higher education centers to advance the development of the strategic lines and objectives of the alliance.

Unique European campus

The signed Campus Charter envisions a single campus with multiple locations, comprised of physical spaces at each university, such as learning and meeting areas, laboratories, and innovation hubs. The expanding digital campus will offer shared services, virtual and blended learning opportunities, and shared tools for research and innovation.

The goal is for any student or staff member to be able to move, study, teach, and work easily across any of the nine institutions, as if they were part of a single European university. To make this possible, STARS EU will develop a common signage system that will make spaces recognizable throughout the network; a single digital access point with single sign-on; and shared open science and mobility platforms. These tools aim to strengthen a common European identity and a sense of belonging among the entire university community.

The signing of the Campus Charter thus confirms the will of the nine universities in the STARS EU alliance — integrated into the European Universities Initiative (EUI) to build a cohesive European ecosystem, capable of connecting talent, knowledge and innovation on a transnational and regional scale.

Nearly 200 people from nine universities affiliated with the STARS EU alliance have met from today, Tuesday, November 25, until tomorrow, the 26th, at the University of La Laguna to participate in the working meeting to advance the objectives of this ambitious project that encompasses education , research , mobility and local development.

Picture gallery

During the ceremony, representatives from the various partner universities gave brief presentations on the milestones achieved in different areas of work during the first two years of activity. They also outlined the objectives for this working meeting held at the University of La Laguna. The event was introduced by José Sigut, the alliance coordinator at the ULL, and the first speaker was Marieke Steenbergen from Marie & Louis Pasteur University. Speaking on behalf of the alliance’s steering committee, she provided an overview of the alliance, which comprises nine universities located in non-capital regions facing similar local challenges. Together, they represent a community of 150,000 students, 15,000 professors, researchers, and staff, across 75 faculties.

She explained the organizational structure of the alliances and some of the objectives achieved in this two-year period, such as the mobility of more than 4,300 people to date; the creation of common undergraduate degrees, of which 14 are currently under discussion; the launch of 40 BIP courses, half of which have already been delivered; the design of 36 micro-credentials; the launch of the Technology Transfer Office to share the scientific infrastructures of the nine universities; the launch of seed grants to prepare proposals for competitive European calls; and the launch of three Living Labs to encourage impact on local regions.

Work packages and TIG

Next, representatives from the STARS EU work packages briefly introduced their progress to date: package 2, (Regional Transition Acceleration); package 3 (Curriculum Lab) which is responsible for academic innovation and the teaching offer; package 4, (Challenge Lab), which is responsible for research in the alliance; package 5, related to physical and virtual campuses, which during the meeting in Tenerife will present examples of the visual elements available to identify the spaces of the alliance in each institution; package 6, in charge of mobility; package 7, which addresses the sustainability model of the alliance not only referring to environmental aspects, inclusion and equality, but also financing and governance; and the 8th, on communication, dissemination and open science.

There was also a summary presentation of the nine thematic groups of interest ( TIG ) on the different subjects that structure the research and training proposals of the alliance: energy transition, arts and creative industries, entrepreneurship and innovation, sustainable industry, circular economy, digital transformation, healthy ageing, lving spaces, and inclusion and social justice.

Local authorities

Local goverments representatives were also present at the event, who highlighted the great opportunity that having one of its universities in a European alliance like STARS EU represents for the Canary Islads, a type of inter-university collaboration structure promoted by the European Commission to increase the competitiveness of the community academic system.

The rector of the host institution , Francisco García , emphasized that, above scientific and academic considerations, the alliance is a space that underscores the importance of the European values of “ unity, diversity, knowledge, and solidarity”. In his address, he highlighted the role that institutions in the outermost regions can play within the European context. He also emphasized that the alliance’s work focuses on aspects such as inclusion , sustainability, and the digital transition, all essential for providing the necessary skills for the new generation of the 21st century to thrive in an increasingly changing and competitive society , promoting mobility and collaborative work.

During his speech, the President of the Government of the Canary Islands, Fernando Clavijo, also emphasized the status of the outermost regions within the European Union at a time when these regions are being questioned within EU institutions: “The outermost regions are not a burden. We are a strategic opportunity for Europe, and this is the best example. We are territories that contribute to cohesion, that expand Europe’s borders, that connect continents, and that offer innovation , talent, and proven scientific capacity. Projects like the one that brings us together here today are the best example. That is our commitment: that the Canary Islands be known for what it knows, for what it researches, and for what it contributes to the world.”

For her part, the president of the Tenerife Island Council, Rosa Dávila , expressed the council’s commitment to research , for which a budget of 200 million euros has been allocated, and also addressed the issue of the outermost regions. “ We are facing profound transformations influenced by the energy transition , digitalization , job automation , artificial intelligence, demographic challenges , and the need to diversify our economic models . In this context, universities play an irreplaceable role. You are engines of knowledge, spaces for critical thinking , laboratories of innovation , and meeting points between academia , the public sector , and the productive sector . ”

Regarding the First Deputy Mayor of San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Badel Albelo, he highlighted the role of the local university in adapting to a changing socio-economic context that demands agility. “ From the City Council, we highly value this internationalization strategy because it will allow the University of La Laguna (ULL) to continue attracting talent and to remain committed to scientific innovation . The challenges we face in healthcare and the economic diversification that our islands need for balanced development require a strong public university to drive it forward, and this alliance will allow us to work in that direction.”