Knowledge & Creativity European University meeting at Södertörn University
On 25–27 September, Södertörn University hosted a consortium meeting for the universities that are part of KreativEU, the Knowledge & Creativity European University. For Södertörn, KreativEU brings opportunities for increased student exchange, new activities, more international partnerships and more attraction power and international visibility for the university.
The consortium meeting at Södertörn University was the first since the funding application was granted by the European Commission this summer. Vice-chancellor Gustav Amberg welcomed the thirty or so participants, and provided an introduction to the university’s profile and mission. Participants included representatives from higher education institutions in Poland, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Romania, Bulgaria, Italy, the Netherlands, Germany, Turkey and Poland.
“All the representatives from the participating universities are delighted that the application has been granted and are keen to get started with more collaborations and exchanges,” says Karin Granevi, head of International Office.
Increased opportunities for exchanges
Items on the programme included a presentation of Södertörn University’s research and student mobility, discussions around KreativEU’s structure, and planning how work in the various areas within the consortium should be organised. Södertörn University, together with Trnava University in Slovakia, is responsible for a work package that focuses on mobility.
“Currently, our students can primarily undertake exchanges for full semesters, but KreativEU will enable shorter exchanges. Being able to go on an exchange for a week, for example, allows for more students to do so,” says Lin Herngren, international officer at Student Support Services.
The idea is also to offer joint courses with participants from Södertörn University and the other KreativEU universities. These courses could include both remote learning and on-site teaching at the various higher education institutions across Europe. In the same way, mobility and exchanges should also be possible for all categories of university staff: teachers, researchers, doctoral students and technical and administrative staff.
This autumn, thorough work is being carried out, with preparation and planning both internally at Södertörn University and between the KreativEU universities. Officially, the EU-funded KreativEU European University starts on 1 January 2025.
“There is a positive and expectant mood. KreativEU brings us great opportunities for collaboration,” says Karin Granevi.
The KreativEU consortium’s aims and funding
KreativEU – the Knowledge & Creativity European University – builds upon a long-term, institutional, structural and strategic cooperation between the eleven participating higher education institutions. The aim is a competitive and transnational educational offering with close cooperation on issues relating to sustainability, integration, equality and digitalisation. KreativEU strives to strengthen European cohesion and values by linking national and local cultural heritage, traditions, crafts and folklore. KreativEU is funded by the EU’s Erasmus+ programme for 2025–2028, with the potential for extended funding after this.
In addition to Södertörn University, the following universities are included in KreativEU:
- Polytechnic University of Tomar (IPT), Portugal (koordinerande lärosäte)
- Tsenov Academy of Economics (TAE), Bulgarien
- Trnava University (TUT), Slovakien
- Valahia Univ. of Târgoviște (VUT), Rumänien
- Adana Alparslan Türkeş Science and Technology University (ATU), Turkiet
- University of South Bohemia (USB), Tjeckien
- University of Camerino (UNICAM), Italien
- Breda University of Applied Sciences (BUas), Nederländerna
- University of Greifswald (GU), Tyskland
- University of Opole (OUTech), Polen.
More information about KreativEU and the alliance can be found on the consortium’s website: kreativeu.org External link, opens in new window.
Page updated
09-10-2024