From 15.tp 18. January, Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences' Associate Professor Agita Šmitiņa participated in the meeting of international partners of the project ”Accelerate Future HEI” EUDRES in Spain, Universidad Europas (Tenerife). During the meeting, representatives of the project from nine universities shared their experiences of the project and outlined the next steps.

The main goal of the project is to promote the entrepreneurship of students and also the university as an organization by developing various entrepreneurship-related activities. These activities to be implemented in universities are very diverse - for example, the development of business start-up support measures, the introduction of digitalization, training of young entrepreneurs, support for social entrepreneurship, the development of entrepreneurial skills for students, etc. activities.

The goal of Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences in this project is to develop the entrepreneurial skills of both students and young entrepreneurs in the region, as well as to promote the management and leadership skills of the university's management staff.

During the meeting, the project participants received feedback on their work, discussed improvements and exchanged ideas, learned “StoryTelling” skills, and visited various Tenerife organizations related to the development of business types - for example, the Confederation of Business Organizations. The stories of representatives of the most innovative companies in Tenerife were also very exciting - for example, the company “Impresora”, which prints houses with a 3D printer.

From January 20 to 24, 2025, Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences is hosting on-site and online kick-off meeting for the Erasmus+ Capacity Building in Higher Education project “Advancing Sustainability and Technology in Tourism, Hospitality, and Services Studies through Strategic Industry Partnerships (SIPAS)”. Throughout the week, a team of lecturers and experts from Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences, together with project partners from Portugal (Polytechnic Institute of Setúbal) and India (Pondicherry University and the National Institute of Tourism and Hospitality Management), will work on initiating and fine-tuning the project’s activities and tasks.

Over the course of two years, the SIPAS project will bring together four higher education institutions and five associated partners from the tourism industry to develop and implement innovative study modules, staff training programs, ICT integration, and the establishment of laboratories at partner universities in India. These initiatives aim to enhance administrative efficiency and create a global learning environment in the institutions involved.

On the first day of the meeting, participants were introduced to the higher education institutions represented in the project, as well as the tourism study programs they offer. Throughout the week, the project team will continue planning the next steps, activities, and collaboration details, including engaging with professional partners.

Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.

After a successful first round of language courses hosted earlier, E³UDRES² is extending its offer of available courses for its second installment. Language and culture courses in Dutch, Latvian, Portuguese, Hungarian, Finnish, German, and Romanian are availalable open to students of all E³UDRES² partnering institutions and associated universities.

COURSE DETAILS

The courses will vary in duration, with most being free of charge. Upon completion, participants will receive a certificate and/or ECTS. No prior knowledge is required for participation in courses. The courses are available online, providing flexibility for participants. Additionally, some language courses  include cultural components to enhance the learning experience.

For all information and registration links to our language courses please visit: E³UDRES² Language Courses | E³UDRES²

This initiative comes from the E³UDRES² Capacity Building team and aims to strengthen multilingualism and intercultural understanding within the Alliance.  

All courses are designed at CEFR A1 level, focusing on beginner proficiency to ensure accessibility for all participants. While all courses are primarily tailored for students, the Latvian and the Hungarian language course are also open to university staff, offering a broader range of opportunities for engagement. 

E³UDRES² will start the new 2025 year with the I Living Labs event, which will take place both remotely and in person already in March and April, when Jamka University in Finland will host guests from all E³UDRES² partner universities. E³UDRES² I Living Labs is an adventure where studying is not just about learning - it's about making a real-world impact by working with real-life companies, entrepreneurs and organizations from all over Europe. It is a unique opportunity to participate either fully online or in a hybrid form. The online version will be developed in weekly meetings with the team coach. The hybrid version includes online studies and one week of face-to-face studies at Jamka University, Jyväskylä, Finland. Both versions will start and finish at the same time and require the same amount of work, problem solving and fun!

This year's theme will be various aspects of well-being. This could include issues such as physical health, nutrition, technology, nature, mental health and community building. Any student from E³UDRES² partner universities can participate and participation is free of charge. Still in doubt why you should participate? Working in I Living Labs acts as an incentive to improve skills such as analytical thinking and problem-solving abilities, show creativity in solving obstacles, and learn to work in teams of up to 11 people from different cultures. Also, students who successfully complete I Living Labs will receive 3 ECTS credits! 

IPS 2025 spring school: what kind of future do we want to build? It is organized by the Polytechnic University of Setúbal (IPS), Portugal and will focus on sustainability. The purpose of the event is to develop ideas in a multidisciplinary co-creation environment, taking into account current environmental and social problems. The event will take place remotely on April 5, but from May 5-9 the participants will meet in person in Setubal, Portugal. Students and staff from all E³UDRES² partner universities are invited to participate.

One week of 2025 summer holidays in Austria? E³UDRES² Bootcamp is a great opportunity to go to Sankt Polten University in July. It is a unique opportunity to develop your ideas in an innovative environment, offer creative solutions to current regional challenges and meet new friends. Over five days, you will work in small teams with other students to co-create a concept that contributes to a smarter and more sustainable society. No prior knowledge is required and participation in this event is also free. It is also a great opportunity to receive 3 ECTS credit points for successful participation in the event!

Thinking about the next study year, another great opportunity to go to the E³UDRES² Intensive I Living Labs in the fall. From September 15-19, the event will take place at Sankt Polten University. Join the 2025 Intensive I Living Labs - a week of in-depth collaboration with students from all over Europe, expanding your network with international entrepreneurs and organizations and getting the chance to discover Austria along the way.‎