29.10.2024

A Common Vision for the EduCare 5.0 Network: First Meeting of the European University Alliance at HSBI

Prof. Dr. Ulrich Schäfermeier, Vice President for Internationalisation and Digitalisation, and Dr. Sandra Jansen, Officer European University, welcomed the international guests of the EduCar e5.0 network.
Prof. Dr. Ulrich Schäfermeier, Vice President for Internationalisation and Digitalisation, and Dr. Sandra Jansen, Officer European University, welcomed the international guests of the EduCar e5.0 network. Foto: Thomas Handke
The feedback from the application was analysed in more detail in a discussion round. Prof. Radu Iliescu (University of Medicine and Pharmacy Iasi) and Prof. Luis M. Silva (CESPU).
The feedback from the application was analysed in more detail in a discussion round. Prof. Radu Iliescu (University of Medicine and Pharmacy Iasi) and Prof. Luis M. Silva (CESPU). Foto: Thomas Handke
All participants took an active part in the discussion about the plans for 2025. Mònica Luque Xiota (The International University of Catalonia)
All participants took an active part in the discussion about the plans for 2025. Mònica Luque Xiota (The International University of Catalonia) Foto: Thomas Handke
Karel Hrach (Jan Evangelista Purkyně University in Ústí nad Labem) explains the strengths of the network.
Karel Hrach (Jan Evangelista Purkyně University in Ústí nad Labem) explains the strengths of the network. Foto: Thomas Handke/ HSBI

Last week, the first in-person meeting of the European University Alliance EduCare 5.0 took place at Bielefeld University of Applied Sciences and Arts (HSBI). Last year, the consortium was formed and began developing an EU funding application that covers the areas of teaching, research, and transfer, which was submitted in February.

All participants received a mug with the EduCare 5.0 logo as a souvenir.

In June, the EU awarded the seal of excellence to the consortium’s application. However, due to a lack of budgetary restrictions, EduCare 5.0 is currently not funded by the EU.

The name EduCare 5.0 is a portmanteau combining Education and Healthcare, the focal areas of the alliance. 5.0 signifies the transformation of European organizations from 4.0—focusing on digitization and technology—to sustainable, resilient, and human-centered approaches.

European University Alliances

The EU funding line for European University Alliances is an initiative of the European Union aimed at strengthening transnational cooperation between universities within Europe. This funding line enables universities to form strategic partnerships to develop innovative teaching and learning approaches, promote the exchange of students and staff, and increase the international competitiveness of the European higher education landscape.

Participating Institutions

The meeting was attended by 22 representatives from all nine consortium partners from eight countries. In addition to HSBI, the following universities form the European University Alliance EduCare 5.0:

  • Jan Evangelista Purkyně University in Ústí nad Labem (Czech Republic)
  • University of Medicine and Pharmacy "Grigore T. Popa" of Iasi (Romania)
  • FH Salzburg (Austria)
  • Egas Moniz (Portugal)
  • International University of Catalonia (Spain)
  • CESPU (Portugal)
  • Klaipedos valstybine kolegija (Lithuania)
  • Medical University Lublin (Poland)

Stefan Ilie served as an external advisor to support the application and was also present at the consortium meeting.

EduCare 5.0 Revisited and Roadmapping 2025

The meeting began with a tour of HSBI’s main building, as well as the experiMINT student lab and the Skills Labs in the Healthcare Department and CareTech OWL, to give network partners a better understanding of HSBI. Then, the consortium was reminded of the processes of forming the network and developing the funding application. The evaluation report was analyzed to draw insights for future applications. Planning the next steps of the network for 2025 was also a central focus.

In addition to further funding applications, a website for EduCare 5.0 will be set up soon, and ERASMUS+ contracts will be established between the partner universities. A survey to analyze the needs of partner institutions will also be conducted to improve the quality of the network and unlock synergies.

The consortium partners are convinced that collaboration in the EduCare 5.0 network can have a significant positive impact on the future education and health systems. “We are thrilled about the next steps and the realization that our alliance is not only well welded but also looking forward to excellent perspectives under the framework of the European Universities Initiative,” said Prof. Radu Iliescu, Vice Rector of the University of Medicine and Pharmacy in Iasi. The next consortium meeting is already planned for a few months down the line and is expected to take place at the International University of Catalonia in Barcelona.

Get Involved!

We invite all interested parties—researchers, educators, staff, and students—to participate in the upcoming activities of the EduCare 5.0 network and to engage in this forward-looking collaboration. Your ideas and suggestions are warmly welcomed! Dr. Sandra Jansen, the representative for the European University in the International Office, looks forward to expressions of interest.

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