Your monthly collection of news, events, and resources in entrepreneurship and engagement in higher education
EVENT MOVED TO SEPTEMBER
More opportunities to celebrate your achievements!
Entrepreneurship means transforming challenges into opportunities, and constantly striving for improvement! That is exactly what we are doing with the 2024 Europe-Africa Forum and Triple E Awards. Due to technical and logistical problems, we made a bold move and shifted our event to September, ensuring an even better experience for all participants! The best part is that the submission deadline for the Triple E Awards has been extended too! We want to make sure everyone has the chance to participate and shine. Now is your time to jump in, to polish your entry or submit a new one.
Our April edition of Spotlight showcases how universities can develop an approach to make a regional impact by shaping policy and governance practices. In her case study analysis, Dr Fonseca explores the complex and evolving roles of universities within their local ecosystems and how they can be all-around influential. HEI administrators and policymakers can learn how to harness universities’ potential impact on regional policy.
In honour of Earth Month, we showcase how being an entrepreneurial and engaged university fosters a special connection to the environment. On this occasion, we focus on Poland, where two member institutions have made unique progress.
The Gdańsk University of Technology is working on Innovative and Enhanced Nature-Based Solutions for Sustainable Urban Water Cycle (NICE). Among the 11 Urban-Real Labs created in this project, the Innovative Rain Garden on the university campus showcases green retention solutions needed to improve the microclimate and the cities' adaptation to climate change. The solutions developed by the NICE project will contribute to the reuse of rainwater for various purposes and reduce pollution and surface run-off. Prof. Magdalena Gajewska, leader of the design team explains that “Such a garden provides many ecosystem functions, for example, it ensures water retention and protects ourselves against flash floods and adapts our city to climate change”.
The Lodz University of Technology (TUL) leads innovative research and transformative initiatives from the textile industry to monitor surface water pollution for a cleaner, greener future. Their Race-to-Zero campaign aims to halve greenhouse gas emissions by 2030. Collaborating with the FLEXIndustries consortium, the university pioneers smart energy solutions in industrial settings, revolutionising energy use. Projects include home wind turbine development and sewage treatment plant optimisation, pushing the boundaries of innovation. TUL's dedication extends to developing home wind turbines, optimising sewage treatment plants, and exploring bioremediation techniques. With a focus on circular economy principles, soil contamination studies, and cutting-edge technology, TUL is paving the way for a greener future.
Follow these universities in their quest to foster a sustainable world for future generations and keep up to date with their research and initiatives!
In recognition of International Earth Day, ACEEU highlights its project contributing to SDG 6 (Clean water and sanitation):
SKILLS4Water empowers the next generation of water professionals while fostering innovation and leadership in the European water sector by integrating these skills into higher education curricula. Initiatives such as ANGIE, the Academic Network for Green and Innovative Europe, intends to establish a postgraduate study programme to help educators and professionals address environmental challenges related to energy-efficient technologies, sustainable energy production, and waste reduction strategies, among others (WATERIC Sectors). The Waterline project aims to establish a European Digital Water Higher Education Alliance to promote research, educational and entrepreneurial capacity to foster a sustainable learning environment.
ACEEU consolidates alliances, improves academic provision, strengthens research capacity and promotes sustainability. We drive positive change towards a more sustainable and resilient future for all.
Accreditation Council for Entrepreneurial and Engaged Universities (ACEEU), Wilhelm Schickard Strasse, 14, Münster, North Rhine-Westphalia 48149, Germany
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