The United Nations General Assembly designated October 1 as the International Day of Older Persons. Under the flagship of Equity in ENLIGHT, we believe in raising awareness of opportunities, but also challenges faced by ageing populations. 

On October 11, 2024, ENLIGHT Regional Academy of Comenius University Bratislava held a lecture for students of the CU University of the Third Age. Its topic was the work of the Public Defender of Rights. The lecture was led by Tomáš Čitbaj, Director General of the Department for the Protection of Fundamental Rights and Freedoms from the Office of the Public Defender of Rights.

In his presentation, Mr. Čitbaj focused not only on the theoretical foundations and competencies of the Public Defender of Rights but also provided practical advice for seniors. Students received legal information on challenges regarding senior rights, such as answer to the questions:

• What rights do seniors have?
• How can they defend themselves against discrimination or unfair treatment?
• What should seniors avoid, and what should they be cautious about in everyday life?

Mr. Čitbaj also highlighted the options offered by the Public Defender of Rights for resolving issues faced by seniors and provided several examples from his practice where the Office helped seniors achieve justice. The discussion on specific cases of senior rights violations was also insightful. The lecture was enriching and provided participants with valuable information they can apply in various life situations.

Igor Farkaš, a prominent expert in artificial intelligence (AI), received the 2024 ESET Science Award in the category of Outstanding Personality in University Education. As a professor at Comenius University Bratislava and the associate chair of the Department of Applied Informatics, Farkaš has significantly contributed to AI research, particularly in the area of neural networks inspired by the human brain. His research focuses on the intersection of AI and robotics, particularly humanoid robots.

Farkaš's work extends beyond academia; he is passionate about teaching and motivating students in cognitive science and AI. His dedication to popularizing AI and interdisciplinary research has positioned him as a leader in the Slovak scientific community. He also oversees Slovakia's only interdisciplinary Master's program in Cognitive Science, aimed at advancing understanding of the human mind through AI.

We are glad Igor Farkaš is part of the ENLIGHT community and was previously involved f.e. in the lecture series “Digital Revolution and Impact of Digitization”.

The ESET Science Award is the most prestigious award of its kind in Slovakia, and this year it was chaired by Nobel laureate Emmanuelle Charpentier. It honors scientists whose research has a meaningful impact on society, and Farkaš’s contributions to AI and education are exemplary in this regard. His vision of AI, especially in the development of humanoid robots, underscores his optimism about the future of AI, while also acknowledging the need for careful regulation and ethical considerations.

The ENLIGHT Teaching and Learning conference at University of Tartu began with a pre-event filled with engaging workshops. In the evening, the participants had a tasteful dinner accompanied with the 𝗜𝗻𝗰𝗹𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗦𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗔𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱𝘀🏆 opened byTiina Jaksman, Coordinator of ENLIGHT at University of Tartu.

We’re excited for the winners! Here are the first three places for the 𝗜𝗻𝗰𝗹𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱, announced by the Vice-rectorAune Valk:

🥉 Iker Callado Iza for the 𝗜𝗸𝗮𝘀𝗟𝗮𝗴𝘂𝗻 project that provides academic and emotional support to children under the guardianship of the council at Universidad del País Vasco/Euskal Herriko Unibertsitatea
🥉 𝗔𝗱𝗵𝗮𝗺 𝗔𝗹𝗮𝗮 𝗜𝗯𝗿𝗮𝗵𝗶𝗺 𝗘𝗹-𝗗𝗮𝗯𝗮𝗮 𝗔𝗵𝗺𝗲𝗱 for his 𝗥𝗮𝗺𝗮𝗱𝗮𝗻 "𝗕𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗸 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗙𝗮𝘀𝘁" 𝗘𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁 at University of Groningen
🥈Madeleine Moffatt for Freedom & justice for Palestinian people project at University of Galway
🥇Gaëlle 𝗟𝗲𝗼𝗻 for her project that made the Ghent University more accessible for people with disabilities

Gijs Coucke, Executive Secretary of ENLIGHT announced the 𝗦𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗔𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱 winners:

🥉Emmy Sköld for the 𝗚𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸 project at Uppsala University
🥈Peter O'Neill on behalf of Molly Hickey for their 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝘆𝗰𝗹𝗲𝗱 𝗥𝘂𝗻𝘄𝗮𝘆 project at University of Galway
🥇𝗝𝗼𝗻𝗮𝘀 𝗟𝘂𝗰𝗸𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗱𝘁 for his 𝗖𝗶𝘁𝗶𝘇𝗲𝗻 𝗥𝗲𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗱𝘂𝗺 "𝗥𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗶𝗱" 𝗚𝗼𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗻, who led two referendums for improved bicycle infrastructure at The University of Göttingen and gathered more than 9000 signatures.

These awards are celebrating student-led initiatives across ENLIGHT European University universities! Congratulations to all the winners for their inspiring work related to inclusion and sustainability.

Tune in for the Teaching and Learning Award Ceremony on 8 October at 18:00 EEST.

Are you interested in expanding your horizons and critically assessing the prospects for democracies and autocracies in the EU’s Eastern Neighbourhood? Would you like to gain a more nuanced understanding of the region and have the opportunity to apply newfound knowledge practically? Then this course is tailored for you!

In the MOOC "Democracy and Autocracy in the EU’s Eastern Neighbourhood," you'll delve into fundamental concepts while exploring key characteristics and features of democratic and autocratic systems. From understanding the conceptualization of the Eastern Neighbourhood to historical influences, this course offers a comprehensive exploration of the region's political tapestry. Throughout the five weeks, you'll acquire new knowledge and have the chance to reflect on and apply it, ensuring an enriching learning experience. 

The MOOC is free of charge, fully online and offers a digital certificate upon successful completion of the course and additionally earns you 3 ECTS. Open to both University of Tartu students and the general public. Registration is open until October 31st.

• Tuition language: English D
• Course code in ÕIS: SVJS.TK.061 
• Tuition fee: free 
• Study format: online 
• Duration: 04.11.2024 - 08.12.2024
• Registration deadline: 31.10.2024

Upon the successful completion of the course, you will be able to: 

• Recognize key characteristics and features of democratic and autocratic systems. 
• Analyze the historical factors shaping political systems in the Eastern Neighbourhood. 
• Compare political systems, institutions, and electoral processes in the region. 
• Evaluate variations in institutional arrangements and factors contributing to democratization or autocratization. 
• Apply knowledge to analyze specific case studies from Eastern Neighbourhood countries. 
• Develop critical assessment skills regarding the prospects for democracy in different contexts. 

Enhance your career with a set of new skills, officially certified by the University of Tartu!

In addition to that, it may also help you start to prepare for your studies with us!

For more information and registration, visit this link or contact Anna Beitane, Manager of Online Learning Projects, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

This MOOC is developed within the Jean Monnet Center of Excellence "REPAIR" funded by the European Union (grant agreement 101085795). Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them. 

ENLIGHT European University is actively contributing to the growing movement of blended staff training, using the Erasmus+ Blended Intensive Programmes (BIPs) to offer an innovative approach to professional development. By integrating both virtual and on-site components, BIPs allow participants to benefit from immersive experiences while fostering collaboration before they meet in person.

A recent example of ENLIGHT’s commitment to this format is the 'ENLIGHT Incubator Week,' which brought together academics and support staff from various partner universities to explore curriculum internationalization. During the Incubator Week, participants engaged in collaborative group work, both online and on-site, to design international learning activities. This blended approach allowed the team to lay the groundwork through virtual preparation, followed by intensive in-person interactions to finalize their action plans.

ENLIGHT’s experience echoes the insights shared by the European Association for International Education (EAIE), which emphasizes the value of blended learning in international staff training. Both cases highlight the potential of BIPs to strengthen internationalization efforts by combining the best of virtual and physical collaboration.

To read more about successful blended staff training and the EAIE’s example, visit this article.

We are excited to announce the launch of the Faces of ENLIGHT campaign! Through this series, we will introduce you to students, teachers, and staff from across the ENLIGHT network, sharing how their involvement has impacted their personal and professional growth.

Each story highlights how ENLIGHT helps its members make a greater impact, broaden their perspectives, and foster connections that transcend borders. In the first interview, Martina Vicenova, Communication Officer at ENLIGHT European University, shares her experiences and insights into the power of the ENLIGHT network.

Stay tuned for new stories coming regularly, offering a deeper look into the diverse and dynamic people that make ENLIGHT a thriving community.

Discover more and read the full interviews on our webpage: Faces of ENLIGHT.

#FacesOfENLIGHT

From 12 to 14 September 2024, student representatives from across Europe gathered in Warsaw, Poland, for the European Universities Student Ambassadors Forum (EUSAF) in-person meeting. This significant event, hosted by the Warsaw School of Economics (SGH), brought together ambassadors representing about 40 different European University Alliances (EUA) to discuss pivotal issues and collaborations concerning the future of European higher education. Representing ENLIGHT at the forum was Anette-Mai Pirk-Birk, Co-president of the ENLIGHT Student Board from the University of Tartu, in the picture below.

What is EUSAF?

EUSAF is a platform for students from European University Alliances (EUA) to share their ideas and experiences, and to shape the future of education across the continent. It aims to boost student engagement and build a sense of belonging within and across the alliances, while also providing valuable input and recommendations to higher education leaders and policymakers.

Each year, EUSAF brings together student ambassadors for three meetings—two online and one in person—offering workshops, discussions, and networking opportunities that strengthen collaborations and tackle some of the most pressing challenges in European higher education.

Highlights from the Warsaw Meeting

At the in-person meeting in Warsaw, participants took part in interactive workshops, a lively panel discussion, and numerous group activities, all focused on topics directly affecting their roles and the future of European universities.

• Workshop 1: Exploring the Role of Student Ambassadors and Identifying Key Priorities of the Initiative. In this session, participants discussed the similarities and differences between their alliances, focusing on how student networks are organised and how much influence they have within decision-making bodies, and how many students can and should be involved. Key themes included ways to boost student engagement, increase visibility, and ensure that more students are involved and motivated to take part.
  
  
• Workshop 2: Local Level Engagement – How to Foster Activities and Engage with Local Communities. This workshop explored how student ambassadors can strengthen ties with local communities and organisations. The group shared their own skills and experiences, discussing ways to collaborate with local stakeholders and mapping out the organisations they wished to partner with. They also explored innovative forms of student participation and empowerment within the alliances, looking at new mechanisms and programmes to boost involvement. By sharing best practices and lessons learnt from other student engagement and capacity-building initiatives, the ambassadors were able to brainstorm creative methods to drive participation and make a lasting impact in their communities.
  
  
• Panel Discussion. A key moment in the meeting was a panel discussion featuring the three most-voted posters from the alliances. Ambassadors had the chance to present their posters and share successful practices within their alliances.
  
  
• Group discussions: Sharing Best Practices and Addressing Key Challenges. Student ambassadors shared best practices from their alliances and addressed crucial topics such as effective communication within alliances, promoting green mobility, and ensuring continuity through succession planning. The discussion also touched on future scenarios and visions for the development of higher education in Europe through the European University Alliances and other platforms of cooperation.

Beyond discussions, the event provided a fantastic opportunity for capacity-building. Organised in collaboration with the Erasmus Student Network, it allowed ambassadors to forge meaningful connections, learn from one another, and explore new approaches to the challenges faced by their alliances. These insights are sure to benefit the ENLIGHT Student Network and inspire future initiatives.

Looking Ahead

The EUSAF meeting in Warsaw was much more than just a gathering—it was a chance for student leaders to come together, learn from one another, and return to their alliances with fresh ideas and renewed energy. We’re excited to see how these discussions will continue to shape the future of European higher education.

The Swafs project at the funding base of the R&I dimension of ENLIGHT, which started in 2021, has officially closed as of 31 August 2024. As RISE looks ahead to its final reporting stages, the coordination team highlights the many achievements which have come out of the project.

Challenge-based education (CBE) is a core element of teaching and learning initiatives within ENLIGHT. The focus of CBE is on incorporating real-life cases into the teaching of university courses and working on students' 21st century skills. This is a call for participants in the next edition of the CBE training sessions for educators.

The fourth ENLIGHT Teaching and Learning Conference will take place at the University of Tartu from 7 to 9 October 2024. The conference theme is Innovation and Creativity in Higher Education. The two keynote speakers are Laura-Maija Hero, Principal Research Scientist at HAMK Edu research unit, and Jaan Aru, Associate Professor in Computational Neuroscience and Artificial Intelligence at the University of Tartu.

Six research teams from ENLIGHT universities have been selected as the new Impact Ambassadors within our alliance. These teams have distinguished themselves as trailblazers, setting new standards in planning and achieving tangible impact through their research. Over the coming months, they will serve as role models and inspirational figures for the broader research community across the ENLIGHT network.