LCSS Institute of Economics and Rural Development’s Post

🌿 BEYOND Project – Highlights from Our First Year! The Erasmus+ BEYOND Project – Boosting and Enhancing Youngs’ Next generation awareness for ESG values Development – has completed an exciting first year of activities! 📅 Dec 2024 – Kick-off Meeting at the Università di Pisa Partners from Universidad CEU San Pablo, University of Messina and Nürtingen-Geislingen University (HfWU) launched the collaboration and set the project roadmap. 📚 Feb 2025 – Launch of the new course “Economics of Saving & ESG Investing” at UniPi Part of the Master’s in Economics (42h, 6 ECTS), taught in English by Prof. Luca Spataro and Prof. Thomas I. Renström. Guest lectures, case studies, and projects help students embed ESG principles in savings and investment strategies. 📊 Early 2025 – Survey on Obstacles to ESG Culture among Young People, coordinated by University of Messina Results expected Spring 2026. 💶 March 2025 – Seminar on Sustainable Finance at UniPi with Dr. Massimo Scolari Exploring ESG investing and the role of finance in the green transition. ⚖️ May 2025 – Sustainability Business & Legal Game Italian 🇮🇹 and German 🇩🇪 students applied ESG principles to real-world challenges. 🌎 Sept 2025 – International outreach Prof. Gabriella Iermano (UniMe) spoke at the Jean Monnet Centre of Excellence Seminar in Brazil, and Prof. Luca Spataro (UniPi) presented BEYOND research at the XXXVII SIEP Conference in Naples. These initiatives advance BEYOND’s mission to foster ESG awareness and sustainability education among Europe’s next generation. 💚 #ErasmusPlus #Sustainability #ESG #HigherEducation #BEYONDProject #UniversityOfPisa #GreenTransition

𝗣𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗻𝗲𝗿 𝗩𝗼𝗶𝗰𝗲𝘀 – Univerza v Mariboru (𝗦𝗹𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗮) The University of Maribor is Slovenia’s second largest and second oldest public university, with a legacy of academic excellence, research, and international collaboration. With 17 faculties, the University Library, and Student Dormitories, it supports over 15,000 enrolled students – 15.10% of whom are international –across 165 diverse study programs. 🔹 𝗢𝘂𝗿 𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗼𝗻 𝘀𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆: At the University of Maribor, sustainability is rooted in interdisciplinary research and education. Through the integration of environmental, social, and cultural perspectives, we empower students and researchers to act as responsible global citizens driving systemic change. 🔹 𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝘄𝗲 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗹𝘆 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗲𝘁 𝗚𝗼𝗮𝗹𝘀 - 𝗦𝗗𝗚𝘀 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀: The Faculty of Arts, together with the International Center for Ecoremediations (ERM Center), applies SDG principles through research, education, and practical projects that foster eco-innovation, community development, and international cooperation. By aligning curricula and project work with sustainability goals, we turn global challenges into local action. 💬 “𝘚𝘶𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘣𝘪𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘺 𝘪𝘴 𝘢 𝘴𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘦𝘥 𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘱𝘰𝘯𝘴𝘪𝘣𝘪𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘺—𝘣𝘦𝘵𝘸𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘪𝘯𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘵𝘶𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴, 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘮𝘶𝘯𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘦𝘴, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘪𝘯𝘥𝘪𝘷𝘪𝘥𝘶𝘢𝘭𝘴—𝘵𝘰 𝘤𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘦 𝘢 𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘪𝘭𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘵, 𝘪𝘯𝘤𝘭𝘶𝘴𝘪𝘷𝘦, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘦𝘤𝘰𝘭𝘰𝘨𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘣𝘢𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦𝘥 𝘧𝘶𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘦.” #PlanetGoalsSDG #PartnerVoices #UniversityOfMaribor #Sustainability #HigherEducation #ResearchInnovation #EUProjects #Ecoremediation #SDGsInAction

The AGE Summit 2025 Speakers | Panel Discussion 2 Successful EU-African Academic Collaborations: Building Knowledge Bridges for Innovation and Growth. How can universities and research institutions become catalysts for innovation, digital transformation, and youth empowerment across two continents? Distinguished academics and institutional leaders from Europe and Africa are discussing how cross-continental collaboration is driving sustainable impact. Lessons from successful joint programs, new opportunities in AI and digitalization, and the vital role of academic networks in shaping future-ready graduates. Moderator: Stefanos Papadosifos | Finance Manager, Youthmakers Hub 🎙️ Panelists: Prof. Asteris Huliaras | Professor, Department of Political Science and International Relations, University of the Peloponnese Dr. Wardah Rajab-Gyagenda | Deputy Vice Chancellor for Academics, Research, Innovation, and Internationalisation, Kampala International University Dr. Betty Tsakarestou | Associate Professor and Director of Advertising and Public Relations Lab (ADandPRLAB), Panteion University of Social and Political Sciences Dr. Edna Thangu | Lecturer and Sports Researcher, Department of Recreation and Sports Management, Kenyatta University Prof. Tanko Ishaya | Professor of Computer Science, Vice-Chancellor, University of Jos Prof. Jaume Guia | Professor of Tourism, University of Girona Last seats available - secure yours: theagesummit.com Youthmakers Hub | Interafbase Company #AGESummit #Entrepreneurship #Innovation

𝙒𝙚 𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙥𝙞𝙡𝙤𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙥𝙝𝙖𝙨𝙚 𝙤𝙛 𝙄𝙈𝙋𝘼𝘾𝙏𝙒𝙃𝙀𝙀𝙇, 𝙬𝙝𝙞𝙘𝙝 𝙘𝙤𝙧𝙧𝙚𝙨𝙥𝙤𝙣𝙙𝙨 𝙩𝙤 𝙒𝙋𝟯… 𝙗𝙪𝙩 𝙙𝙤 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙠𝙣𝙤𝙬 𝙬𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙤𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙒𝙤𝙧𝙠 𝙋𝙖𝙘𝙠𝙖𝙜𝙚𝙨 𝙤𝙛 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙥𝙧𝙤𝙟𝙚𝙘𝙩? 📋 Apart from Work Package 1, which corresponds to Project Coordination and Work Package 7, the one dedicated to Communication and Dissemination, IMPACTWHEEL is divided into six more. These groups of activities, which range from good practices collection and co-creation of the training and mentoring nuggets to performance and efficiency evaluation, correspond to the core tasks that will allow us to reach the project's objectives 📍 Take a look at them in the document below. #HEIPowered #EITHigherEducationInitiative #EITRawMaterials #IMPACTWHEEL #EmpoweringHEIs EIT Higher Education Initiative | EIT RawMaterials | Universidade da Beira Interior | ambiom | CEIPIEMONTE s.c.p.a. | Goce Delchev University | INOVA+ | Nova School of Business and Economics | Rīgas Ekonomikas augstskola - Stockholm School of Economics in Riga | Universidad Pública de Navarra | Universitas Mercatorum - University of Italian Chambers of Commerce | University of St Andrews

The Institutional Transformation Action Plan (ITAP) has acted as a catalyst for systemic change at the Universidad Europea de Canarias (UEC). It shifted the university from fragmented and isolated initiatives to a coordinated and cohesive entrepreneurial ecosystem. This process sparked a cultural transformation, as faculties embraced entrepreneurship not only as a concept but as a practical and integral tool in both education and research. One of the most important breakthroughs has been interfaculty collaboration, long considered a major barrier, now made possible through shared goals, planning tools, and active stakeholder engagement. As a result, students across all faculties, including Health and STEAM,  benefit from richer, more practical, and interdisciplinary learning experiences that connect them directly with real-world challenges and expert mentorship. Read more and download our deliverables here: https://lnkd.in/d7jbi4q7

SSE Riga has become part of IMPACTWHEEL 👉 a two-year project that brings together six universities, two intermediary organizations, and two innovation-driven companies from seven European countries. SSE Riga leads the part of the project focused on building strong partnerships for deep tech innovation. 🤝 The second project meeting took place at SSE Riga, providing a great opportunity to meet all partners in person. The project is supported by the EIT Higher Education Initiative.

TAH Membership is now open. Technologists, artists, philosophers, and sociologists work in silos. We're here to change that systematically. After over a year of establishing our foundation – creating a legal entity, building a world-class international advisory board with experts from TORCH | The Oxford Research Centre in the Humanities, Edinburgh Futures Institute, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), and Fraunhofer Institute for Systems and Innovation Research ISI, securing strategic partnerships with CultTech Association (REACT Conference), Centrum rozvoje charakteru (CERC), Leibniz Institute for Regional Geography, and launching TransINNOVATE Erasmus+ project – we're opening institutional membership for organisations ready to actively co-create responsible and culturally meaningful technological futures. Why does TAH exist? We connect technology, arts, and humanities as equal partners. We believe today's greatest challenges – from responsible AI development to shifting power structures – require collaboration across disciplines. Technology alone, art alone, or the humanities alone aren't enough. Only their collective effort leads to innovations that are technically sound, culturally meaningful, and socially responsible. What membership brings: 🌍 Direct access to international experts 💰 Priority in EU consortia 🗣️ Collective voice in policy dialogue 📚 20% discount on TAH Impact Academy courses 🤝 Exclusive networking 📢 Visibility Want to know more? Join our info session. 📅 November 3, 16:00 - 17:00 📍 Planetarium Prague 🔗 Registration: https://luma.com/gx8wplh7 We'll discuss: → How to leverage benefits for your institution → Application process and membership fees → Opportunities for active participation in TAH Or go directly: 📋 Full details and application: /tah-centre.org/join-us We're looking for organisations that don't just want to "be members" – but actively co-create an ecosystem where technology, arts, and humanities collaborate as equal partners. #TAHCentre #TransdisciplinaryInnovation #TechArtHumanities #ResponsibleInnovation #ResearchCollaboration

8 months ago, I posted on an earlier tranche of changes in the science system in New Zealand. I said that I thought the overall shape of the new PROs (Public Research Organisations) was sensible but I finished with.. "What is important is how the changes are implemented. The science sector in New Zealand is battered and bruised from many years of abrupt changes in focus and direction and a lack of care about the work force. A clumsy implementation will result in further demoralisation and loss of talent. A change process focussed on supporting the scientists and technicians who do the mahi (work) will get a good outcome." Now we have a complete reorganisation of the funding body with even funding for basic science taken off the Royal Society and given to a new funding agency - Research Funding New Zealand. The aim, as with all the changes in the last 30 years, has been to drive innovation and economic growth, while also nodding at environmental and social concerns. I hope it works, but the strategy has been in place for decades and has not succeeded (at least to any government's aspirations) so far. Instead of litigating the benefits or otherwise of this change in funding body, I would like to briefly highlight that basic research at universities has a separate value and necessity. The characteristic of a university education is that it is research led. It is what distinguishes universities from Institutes of Technology and Polytechs, which are fine and important institutions. It is the research ethos that underpins the critical thinking that should be the defining characteristic of university graduates. That is the ability of graduates to think beyond the square and well beyond their disciplines. Ultimately it is where innovation will come from in science (and other areas). We are very close to losing this at New Zealand Universities. A significant percentage of academic staff have no (or virtually no) research funding. Quite a few have no research students. Students not exposed to research philosophy and research practice will never develop the skills to produce new ideas and lead a new economy. Basic research at university, whether it is in chemistry or philosophy, or points in between, is critical to our mission. It needs to be supported. Once lost, it won't be easily regained and the advanced technologies that New Zealand wants and needs will simply have to be imported. Fundamental research underpins our applied new economy aspirations. #funding #research #NewZealand #Aotearoa #university #neweconomy #futurefocussed #economy

How can universities lead the transition towards a sustainable, circular bioeconomy? At the Association for European Life Science Universities (ICA) Rectors and Deans Forum 2025, hosted by BOKU University, rectors and deans from life science universities across Europe came together to exchange ideas on how research, education and collaboration can drive real change. Michal Zasada (Rector, Szkoła Główna Gospodarstwa Wiejskiego w Warszawie), Maria Knutson Wedel (Vice-Chancellor, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU)), Lukáš Pospíšil (International Relations Specialist, Agricultural University of Iceland) and Mona-Anitta Riihimäki (Dean, Häme University of Applied Sciences, HAMK) share why cooperation among universities is key to shaping Europe’s bioeconomy. The Forum is certified as an ÖkoEvent by the City of Vienna, reflecting BOKU’s commitment to sustainability in every detail. #boku #bokuuniversity #bokuvienna #ICAForum2025 #bioeconomy #circularbioeconomy #sustainability #lifesciences #highereducation #research #innovation #sciencepolicy #universityleadership #collaboration #greentransition

🌿 𝐀𝐒𝐑𝐇𝐄 𝐚𝐭 𝐈𝐒𝐒𝐎𝐓𝐋 2025 𝐁𝐫𝐢𝐝𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐈𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐨𝐮𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐖𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡: 𝐀𝐧 𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐥𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐀𝐫𝐭𝐞𝐟𝐚𝐜𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐄𝐱𝐞𝐠𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐬 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐬 👥 Jo-Anne Kelder, Geof Hill, Michelle Picard, Eva Heinrich, and Prue Laidlaw We’re looking forward to joining colleagues at #ISSOTL25 in Christchurch for a roundtable that invites open, reflective conversation about publishing and collaboration. As editors of an emergent higher education journal, we’ve been reflecting on how journals can move beyond traditional structures to make room for different ways of knowing. Too often, research grounded in Indigenous methodologies is reshaped to fit Western publishing expectations. Our roundtable explores what might happen if we allowed both Indigenous and Western traditions to stand side by side — not in competition, but in relationship. Drawing on creative arts research, we’re exploring an artefact + exegesis model: a way of presenting research that combines creative or practice-based work with reflective writing. We hope this approach can help: 🌿 recognise Indigenous and Western epistemologies as equally valuable, 🌿 reshape how we understand “quality” in scholarly publishing, and 🌿 encourage shared, respectful review processes that are grounded in reciprocity. 𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞: Thursday, 6 November 2025 𝐓𝐢𝐦𝐞: 10:15–11:45am 𝐋𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: ISSOTL: International Society for the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning 2025, Christchurch, New Zealand 𝐒𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧: Collaborative Publishing Practices Follow Advancing Scholarship and Research in Higher Education to continue this conversation about inclusive publishing, shared leadership, and the scholarship of leading. #ISSOTL2025 #ASRHE #SoTL #IndigenousResearch #AcademicPublishing #ArtefactAndExegesis #InclusiveScholarship #ResearchIntegrity