The second day (6th July) of the SECOVE Project Management Meeting was successfully held in Porto, Portugal. During the meeting, several aspects were addressed, including the dissemination of results, project management and future planning. Strategies for disseminating and exploiting the project’s results were discussed, such as newsletters, an editorial calendar and a campaign on social networks. Plans for articles and presentations related to the project, as well as a transnational conference on vocational education, were also discussed. Project management was addressed with the submission of internal reports and annual technical and financial reports. Issues related to the preparation of progress reports for the responsible agency were also discussed. The day ended with an extended discussion on planning next steps and tasks, including organizing future project management meetings and international conferences.

The 2nd SECOVE Project Management Meeting yielded productive outcomes, and the participants showcased strong dedication to the project’s success.

To learn more about the project and future outcomes, please click here.

The 2nd SECOVE Project Management Meeting took place at the Engineering School of the Porto Polytechnic (ISEP) in Porto, Portugal. The main stakeholders of the project, including representatives of various institutions and organizations, participated in the meeting, during the 5th and 6th of July 2023.

On the first day (5th July) of the meeting, the establishment, governance and funding of the SECOVE platform was discussed. There was a presentation of the SECOVE roadmap, updates on its implementation and development of the web portal. Strategies to create synergies with other projects and groups were also highlighted. The relevance of vocational education and training (VET) and sustainable development were central to the discussions. Plans were presented for developing challenging modules that encourage an entrepreneurial mindset and relevant skills. Additionally, recommendations were shared to align VET courses with Smart Specialization Strategies (RIS3). Other topics covered included teacher training on sustainable energy, development of common units on sustainable energy using virtual reality (VR) and international certification. The promotion of synergies between VET, the labour market and regional needs, as well as the inclusion of women in technical occupations, were widely discussed. Research findings on inclusive and attractive VET practices were presented, and plans to establish a SECOVE observatory, participatory pilot workshops and awareness campaigns were discussed. The promotion and support for quality and innovation in VET was also addressed, with emphasis on the involvement of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in applied research and the creation of Innovation Poles. The meeting was completed with the presentation of the project’s quality assessment, the annual assessment reports and the activities of the Quality Assurance Committee.

The session concluded on a positive note, with participants expressing satisfaction with the progress and continued commitment to collaboration to achieve the objectives of the SECOVE project.

To learn more about the project, please click here.

In a event held at HF Ipanema Park, the ICHT – Inclusive Cultural Heritage Tourism project celebrated the successful culmination of its efforts over the past two years. Hosted by Medidata, the project coordinator, the closing ceremony took place on the 29th of June, marking a significant milestone in the development of inclusive tourism in the North of Portugal.

Drawing upon their collective expertise and collaboration, a consortium of esteemed partners including Medidata, ISEP, and IPV from Portugal, POLIMI from Italy, HEVS from Switzerland, and Trier from Germany worked diligently from 2021 to 2023 to realize the project’s goals. The objective was to leverage previous experience in automatic translation of sign languages to create unique and innovative tools that would enhance inclusive cultural tourism and cater specifically to the needs of the deaf community.

The outcome of the project is set to revolutionize the way cultural heritage is experienced by the deaf in the region. Through the implementation of cutting-edge technology and advancements in automatic sign language translation, the project aims to empower the deaf community, allowing them to fully engage with and appreciate cultural sites and events.

The closing event at HF Ipanema Park served as a platform to showcase the innovative solutions developed during the project’s duration and the results obtained.

With the successful conclusion of the ICHT project, the partners involved have cemented their commitment to advancing accessibility and inclusivity within the tourism industry. Their collaborative efforts have paved the way for a more inclusive future, where cultural heritage can be shared and appreciated by all.

To know more about the project, please click here.

ATHENA held a four-day congress in Rome, Italy, from the 2nd to the 5th of May 2023. The event took place at Cusano University and brought together more than 120 participants including ATHENA rectors, national project coordinators, the president of ESN ATHENA, students’ national representatives, and a group of Athenians arising from ten EU countries. The first day, Tuesday the 2nd of May, was dedicated to promoting industry connections in the area of Rome and the Unicusano network. On May 3rd, a welcome session was held, followed by plenary sessions focused on discussing and reviewing the progress of the various dimensions of ATHENA, including education, research, branding, industry, and infrastructure, among others.

The third day, May 4th, was devoted to parallel workshops focused on the key topics currently being deployed at ATHENA. These sessions took place in the New Building, with several classrooms designated for each WP. Participants were able to take part in discussions with group leaders and other members, exchanging ideas and recommendations. Each workshop generated a task list that will guide the work for the next months until the coming meeting to be held in Siegen after the summer.

The fourth day featured a plenary session with guest speakers and a presentation by the Carinthia University of Applied Sciences, an associated partner. Participants also had the opportunity to report on the parallel workshops held the day before.

The event concluded at Trajan’s Market on May 5th, following a tour of the campus and a tour of the markets earlier in the day. Project coordinators expressed satisfaction with the progress made and discussed future perspectives for the project.

ATHENA is a collaborative effort aimed at promoting transnational and inclusive education, research, and innovation, generating new paradigms for the future of the European Higher Education and Research Area. The event in Rome was seen as a successful step towards achieving the project’s objectives, promoting collaboration among its members, and installing the ATHENA European University. The warm welcome and all the care from Italian friends were key to such a successful meeting.

Ci vediamo, Roma!