EU funding boosts international exchange between universities

The University of Graz is fostering cross-border exchange. Photo: University of Graz/Angele

The University of Graz is further expanding its international study opportunities through the European university alliance Arqus and is taking the lead in two key projects. In future, students will benefit from even more joint degree programmes and from simplified recognition of academic achievements through the Joint European Degree Label.

More international study opportunities, joint degree programmes and research into current topics such as artificial intelligence, health and climate change: this is what the Arqus University Alliance – of which the University of Graz has been a member since 2018 – has to offer. Arqus has now secured further EU funding to further intensify cooperation under the motto ‘Arqus for Democracy’ in the coming years

“Whether students, staff or researchers: international collaboration within a European network is a win-win for everyone. And Arqus is a prime example of this,” says Mireille van Poppel, Vice-Rector for Internationalisation and Equality. “We will use the new funding to introduce fresh approaches to teaching and to intensify research collaboration. We are particularly pleased to have the EU’s support for this.”

Close collaboration

The strength of the alliance is evident, not least in the additional externally funded projects being carried out through collaboration between the partner universities. This is because they not only work together on education and research, but also contribute expertise to the private sector through various initiatives, such as the Arqus International Innovators Award. Now another programme is being added: the University of Graz’s ‘Unicorn’ start-up hub is launching a joint initiative: anyone at one of the partner universities with a business idea can put it through its paces using artificial intelligence, regardless of whether the idea comes from the STEM fields or the humanities and social sciences.

There is also plenty happening in the area of joint cross-university study programmes. Under the leadership of the University of Graz, the universities will place their collaboration under the Joint European Degree Label (jEDL), an EU quality label for joint degree programmes. This means that studying in Europe will be easier than ever. Student support will be improved, and courses will be recognised without any problems. In addition, there will be new joint degree programmes and microcredentials. The key focus areas are climate change and sustainability, artificial intelligence and digital transformation, European identity and cultural heritage, health, and STEM subjects.

Roman Vilgut

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