Diversity, Inclusion, Well-Being: The INGENIUM Alliance Council meets at UdA

The strategic body of INGENIUM gathered at the “G. d’Annunzio” University of Chieti-Pescara, Italy, on 15-16 October 2024 for a mid-term assessment followed by important decisions for the future of the Alliance.

The INGENIUM Steering Committee and Alliance Council discussed four reports and signed two charters epitomising the joint efforts of the ten partner universities and their continuous commitment to building an inclusive, healthy, and border-free European campus.

A consortium United in Diversity

A core value of the INGENIUM partners is the belief that an “Alliance of Diversity” can take bold steps, boost mutual knowledge and trust, and pursue transnational goals. Accordingly, the Alliance Council Meeting decided to launch an internal call for the creation of a legal entity.

The Alliance Council is convinced that the establishment of a legal entity will ensure cutting-edge educational, research and impact results. Over the next three months, partners will be able to present their candidacies, which will be evaluated by Rectors and Presidents in February 2025.

In the belief that diversity enhances learning, the INGENIUM Alliance Council also discussed its Joint Education Offer. Students can already benefit from undergraduate and graduate programmes in the following domains:

  • European Climate Action (hosted by HKA)
  • Innovative Product Development (two programmes, both hosted by MTU),
  • Intercultural Competence (hosted by HKA),
  • Service Design (hosted by XAMK)
  • Using Wellbeing Skills to Promote Studying Ability (hosted by XAMK)

A further, important step towards excellence  is the creation of the European University Alliance Satellite 1 (EUA-SAT-1) or INGENIUM-1. Partner universities will have access to a satellite, building expertise in the space industry, which has been growing steadily over the past decade. With this pioneering project and its entrepreneurial mindset, INGENIUM is the first European university to approach the whole lifecycle of the space industry, developing integrated world-class connections to become a global leader in education and research. 

Communication and dissemination are key to our endeavours. The results achieved so far enabled the INGENIUM Alliance Council to devise the next steps to building a successful European campus. To this end, the meeting agreed on the importance of a stronger collaboration with the student community on Instagram, while consolidating the Alliance’s presence across digital channels to target internal and external audiences.

A Healthy and Inclusive Campus

Two charters were signed by the INGENIUM Rectors and Presidents. The Healthy Campus charter is a framework to foster health within the partner institutions. It emphasizes collective responsibility to promote the core values of the Okanagan Charter, advocating for inclusion, diversity, and sustainability through thoughtful campus-wide actions. By promoting supportive campus environments, the charter calls for collaborative efforts to enhance learning and nurture healthy living. The document champions the creation of a culture of wellbeing, where every individual feels valued and supported. It also underscores the importance of a ‘whole-campus’ approach, recognising the vital role universities play in shaping a healthier, more equitable future for all.

The Inclusivity charter is proof of the INGENIUM commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI). It emphasises education and training to raise awareness, support for diverse students, and the integration of EDI principles into teaching and learning. By promoting inclusive recruitment, improved accessibility, and strong leadership, it aims to create a welcoming environment for all. The focus on community engagement, anti-discrimination policies, and evaluation of impact ensures that progress is measured and shared, driving positive change across campuses.

URN and XAMX for PhD Candidates

URN and XAMK signed a Joint Research Agreement, marking a milestone in their collaboration under the INGENIUM European University Alliance. The agreement will increase collaborative research between the two institutions, facilitating the joint supervision of PhD candidates within the XAMK academic community.