Our organisation has been approved to host a workshop titled “En route toward reconciling internationalisation with local/regional impact.” The workshop will be chaired by Guy Haugh, and we’re honoured to have Laura Howards from the University of Cadiz and the SEA-EU Alliance, along with Toñi Caro from VIU and Qⁿ, as our esteemed speakers.
Stay tuned for more updates and details on our workshop at the EAIE Conference. We can’t wait to engage in meaningful discussions and share insights on this important topic!
Interreg Europe selected our “Integrated System for the Complex Environmental Research and Monitoring in the Danube River Area – REXDAN project SMART” as a shining example of best practices in August 2022!
At the heart of this recognition lies the groundbreaking REXDAN Research Vessel, poised to become a cornerstone of environmental research in the Danube River area. This vessel is the largest on the European Union inland waters, and equipped with nine state-of-the-art laboratories covering a wide array of disciplines, from sample collection to atmospheric chemistry, the REXDAN vessel is revolutionising environmental research.
The REXDAN project goes beyond just a vessel. It comprises a comprehensive research infrastructure, including a fixed system of laboratories complementing those onboard the ship. With the acquisition of cutting-edge equipment underway, our research capabilities are set to soar.
The scope of our research is equally impressive, spanning a vast geographical area along the Danube River and covering essential aspects such as water quality, sediments, biodiversity and more. This holistic approach aligns perfectly with the Joint Strategy for the Implementation of the Water Framework Directive, emphasising the interconnectedness of research methods and the importance of large-scale studies in crucial EU basins.
Join us in celebrating this milestone achievement! Together, we’re charting a course towards a better understanding of our environment and a sustainable future for generations to come. Learn more about the REXDAN project and its recognition as a good practice by visiting Interreg Europe’s website.
The Doctoral School of Valencian International University (VIU), created in 2022, is currently offering its first doctoral programme on Inmunonutrition, Nutritional Genomics and Alimentation, in collaboration with the IMDEA Research Institute Food & Health Sciences in Madrid. The programme, which you can access here, promotes research on holistic wellbeing through food and is welcoming students from all over the world.
Before the end of this year, two other programmes will be implemented on Public Health, Communitarian Care, and Addictions, as well as on Data Science and Big Data. The latter will contribute to develop competences in STEAM and aims at leveraging cutting-edge technologies to drive business growth and enhance efficiency.
We are excited about these projects and progressing towards research for a healthy and digital future with Qⁿ Alliance member universities!
Giorgio Calcagnini, Rector, and Elena Viganò, Vice-Rector for Sustainability from the University of Urbino Carlo Bo, have invited the Qn Alliance rectors to a remarkable initiative for the Day of energy saving and sustainable lifestyles
Save the Date: February 16, 2024
The University of Urbino Carlo Bo is partaking in the “M’illumino di Meno” initiative, in collaboration with Rai Radio 2 and the “Caterpillar” broadcast. In its twentieth edition, this campaign goes beyond the conventional call to turn off non-essential lights. This year, we introduce the “No Borders” initiative, highlighting the importance of international collaboration and unity among universities.
How to Join: Snap a photo of a university building with lights off, email it to sostenibile@uniurb.it with campus details. Contribute to global energy conservation, showcase sustainability commitment, and be part of a borderless cause.
Qn unites in this shared narrative for a sustainable future! Join us as we illuminate less on February 16!
In a major leap forward, the Qn Alliance has agreed for significant strides in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Information Technology (IT) governance. Valencian International University (VIU) will host the visit of Abdullah Gül University (AGÜ) to share successful IT governance and security strategies, setting the stage for collective advancement among member universities.
The alliance is fostering collaboration through comparative analysis of IT infrastructures, with the focus on exploring effective integration of AI applications for HE innovation. The launch of the Qne-NEXUSplatform will be a game-changer, opening avenues for transformative data management and collaborative research.
Led by José Ramón Sepúlveda, Vice-rector of Technology and Digital Transformation at VIU, this initiative aims to elevate the alliance cooperation in IT governance and Information Security. Elmas DOĞAN, Internal Auditor at AGÜ and Qn Alliance Task 2.1 member, will visit VIU to share best practices through the mobility of ICT responsible and IT specialists. Qn Alliance is propelling a future of innovation and collaboration in Information Technology, solidifying its position as a hub for knowledge exchange among member universities.
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We are thrilled to share highlights from the meeting that took place in Brussels where Qⁿ brought together all of our esteemed partner institutions. This gathering was a significant milestone in our journey, dedicated to shaping the future of higher education and research in Europe.
The primary objective of this meeting was to collectively strategies the resubmission of our proposal. In the spirit of collaboration, representatives from each university came together to discuss and deliberate on the best course of action. This collaborative effort emphasised our commitment to excellence and innovation in education and research.
During the meeting, a wave of fresh ideas surged through the discussions. The collective brainpower of our partner universities brought forth innovative solutions and perspectives. The outcome of our deliberations was a unanimous decision to chart a new course for our project. We collectively agreed on changes that would enable us to seize new opportunities and overcome challenges. This bold step demonstrates our commitment to adaptability and continuous improvement.
The Brussels meeting was a great opportunity to work together gathering new opportunities for partnership and synergies among our universities. These collaborations are bound to enrich the academic experiences of our students and faculty.
As we conclude the Brussels meeting, we are excited about the path that lies ahead. Our alliance members left with a clear plan for preparing a comprehensive proposal for the new call in 2024. This roadmap is a testament to our dedication to staying at the forefront of education and research in Europe.
Thanks to all our supporting entities for your unwavering support!
Stay tuned for updates as we progress on this exciting path together.
The International University of Valencia has officially joined the EU INTEGER Col.laboratory on Health and Wellbeing, an initiative promoted by the Horizon Europe project: INTEGER-Interconnecting 4 Helix Innovation Ecosystems in European Regions, which brings together numerous institutions and organisations at European level, around the shared vision of joining forces in regional and inter-regional ecosystems to scale at European and international level with the aim of achieving positive change in the field of health and wellbeing.
The public signing of the Terms of Reference (ToR) of the European Col·laboratory took place during the annual EnOLL (European Network of Living Labs) conference, which brought together a diverse set of organisations. These included the Department of Health of the Generalitat de Catalunya, the Division of International Affairs and Innovation of the Ministry of Labour, Health, Social Affairs, Family and Integration of the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg, the Kraków Technology Park, the i2Cat Foundation, the Universitat Oberta de Catalunya, the European University of Technology and Innovation and the European University of Catalonia, the i2Cat Foundation, the Universitat Rovira i Virgili URV, the European School of Social Innovation (ESSI), SIRENE – Social Innovation Responsive Environments NETwork and ACTION COST NET4Age-Friendly – International Interdisciplinary Network on Health and Wellbeing in an Age-Friendly Digital World, among others.
Dr. José Martí Parreño, Vice Rector for Research and Transfer of VIU signing the ToR
Dr. Antonia Caro González, director of the International Research Projects Office (IRPO) at VIU, explains that “The European Health and Wellbeing Col·laboratory is a neologism that expresses the combination of collaboration with living lab, to express the new generation of quadruple or n-helix living labs that we are developing”. The Col·laboratory is focused on promoting healthy living and greater social well-being and its actions are driven by challenges detected in a context or in a specific community or region. To this end, says Dr. Caro Gonzalez “The INTEGER project seeks to bring three important innovations for the development of stronger, sustainable, inclusive and integrative European innovation ecosystems” these are: “The INTEGER 4 Helix Col·laboratory model with which to launch and promote the next generation of ‘living labs’, the ‘Col·laboratories’, a European-wide Healthy Living Col·laboratory, which is gradually becoming a real network of networks with the capacity to work on social, technological and business projects in real environments, and a new professional profile, the ‘col·laber’ or ‘col·laboratory manager’ as a multiplier agent of change of these integrated innovation ecosystems.”
Specifically, these initiatives seek to answer questions related to how to overcome the existing gap between social innovations and those driven by the business world, how to include social innovation more decisively in funding mechanisms or how to promote a more sustainable and functional 4-helix dynamic with better governance.
VIU’s adherence to this initiative is a further demonstration of the University’s commitment to innovation, positive social and environmental impacts, and the promotion of improved health and living conditions for citizens. More specifically, through dynamics of this nature, VIU reinforces its role as a bridge and creator of circular processes involving students, faculty and local and international agents, in order to generate not only knowledge, but also a lasting positive social impact in the field of health, creating synergies that will continue to develop in the Qn Alliance.
Dr. Antonia Caro González, INTEGER Project Coordinator, Director of the International Research Projects Office (OPII) and Senior Researcher i2Cat Foundation presenting at the annual EnOLL conference.
As Dr. Caro González explains, “To establish circular processes of research-training-action-positive social impact, our university is committed to involving all key actors. Students play a vital role in learning, researching and applying their knowledge in the community. Faculty members, with their expertise, guide students and collaborate on research projects. Local and global actors bring diverse perspectives and additional resources.“
Throughout these months, 3 regional Col·laborathons have been held by the Col·lab. These activities are similar to a hackathon, but in the context of the quadruple helix co-creation that is promoted through the col·laboratories. These have involved collaborative work around specific challenges (e.g., nutrition and healthy living or initiatives that promote social inclusion). These have been carried out in the regions of Catalonia (September 21 and November 22), Krakow (November 29 and December 1-2) and Hamburg (October). Their ultimate goal has been to identify and select minimally viable social innovations, products or services in the field of health and wellbeing that need to secure funding for their implementation, subsequent development or scaling up.
Those interested in participating in this project can do so through the INTEGER Platform website. There you will find a space organised by channels and projects where you can connect with other members of the community, participate in groups of joint initiatives, and discover products and services, news and events. Participants will be able to publish relevant information, such as initiatives, events, projects or products that raise awareness of VIU’s work; participate in events and working groups; or access training pills, small units of content that provide valuable information in a brief and easy-to-understand form linked to topics of interest
The 33rd Annual EAIE Conference took place from September 26 to 29, 2023 in Rotterdam, Netherlands. The conference theme, “Connecting Currents”, celebrates Rotterdam’s maritime history and underscores the significance of water for the city—both as an economic opportunity and an existential threat. Over 6700 participants from more than 100 countries came together, forging alliances and sharing insights in the field of international education. An enriching experience for all!
Abdullah Gül University Legal Counsellor Alper Doğruöz visited Valencian International University (VIU), one of the partners of The European Alliance Foundation (Qⁿ Alliance), between 15.05.2023 – 20.05.2023. The visit work schedule was prepared by both the Vice Rector for Research and Technology Transfer, Dr. José Martí Parreño and Alper Doğruöz.
Within the scope of the visit, research structures and departments of both universities, career development plans, gender as a core value of the alliance activity, diversity, new ways of managing the inter-university alliance, presenting a responsible workforce, organizing continuous professional development plans, legal requirements, matching career development programmes of Qⁿ Alliances Universities, shared and worked on organizing real-time quality improvement of programme courses and services.
We would like to congratulate International University of Valencia Rector Prof. Dr. Eva María Giner, Vice Rector Dr. Jose Martí Parreño and Legal Counsellor Alper Doğruöz for their successful organization and collaboration.
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