News

We are happy to announce that the international conference HEIsCITI - HEIs as Innovative Triggers of Sustainable Development in European Cities in the Post Covid-19 Era took place on 16.05.2025, bringing together experts, academics, representatives of local governments and NGOs from across Europe.

The event took place at the WSB Academy, providing a space for the exchange of experiences and good practices on the role of HEIs in post COVID-19 urban transformation processes.

During the conference, participants addressed key issues such as:

- the role of universities as drivers of innovation and social change,

- supporting local communities in the face of climate and economic challenges,

- the development of sustainable urban infrastructure,

- cooperation between the academic sector and local government units,

- digitisation and transformation of education in a post-pandemic context.

We would like to thank all the speakers and participants for their active participation, knowledge exchange and for jointly creating a vision of a sustainable future for European cities.

From 7 to 9 March, the MAXX by Steigenberger Vienna conference centre hosted an international scientific conference entitled 9th International Conference on Future of Teaching
and Education. The first session of this conference, entitled Innovative Approaches to Learning and Engagement, featured Dr Joanna Kurowska-Pysz, Prof. AWSB, who presented the working assumptions of the participatory learning methodology for students on local democracy development currently being developed at AWSB. The presentation entitled Participatory learning of students on their involvement in civil society development was based on research findings from the project: : HEIsCITI - HEIs as Innovative Triggers of Sustainable Development in European Cities in Post Covid-19, which received funding under the Erasmus Plus programme.
The partners in the project are: WSB Academy (LEADER),
Stuttgart Media University (Germany), Mykolo Romerio Universitetas (Lithuania), The University of Da Nang (Vietnam), LAMA Cooperative Society - Social Enterprise (Italy), CEKOM - SMART RI d.o.o. (Croatia). Associated partners of the project: Castle Cieszyn (Poland), Stuttgart Region (Germany), Joniskis District Municipality (Lithuania), Aalborg University (Denmark).

As part of our project, we are conducting evaluations of the developed course model on participatory processes with students and other stakeholders. The aim is to gather comprehensive feedback to refine and enhance the final version of the course. By engaging participants in this testing phase, we can identify areas for improvement and ensure the course effectively meets the needs of all involved.

One of the test took place at WSB University on the January 25th. We are pleased that our course on participatory processes has garnered significant interest from participants!

The project Partners meet each month, every second Monday, on status meetings. The meetings allow us convene to discuss strategies for achieving the project's defined deliverables. These regular gatherings serve as a platform to assess progress, address challenges, and ensure alignment among all HEIsCITI stakeholders. 

By collaboratively reviewing tasks and timelines, HEIsCITI makes informed decisions to keep the project on track and successfully produce the required documentation and outcomes.

Last meeting, on January 13,  some of the decisions according final documents were done, and the plan for the final conference in May was established. We are looking forward to presentation and dissemination of HEIsCITI results!

Summary of the Pilot:

The third pilot, similar to these in Cieszyn and Stuttgart, was held in Joniskis and Vilnius from September 24th to 25th, 2024. Lithuanian students and staff of Mykolas Romeris University presented the ideas and implementation strategies connected to the third pilot of HEIsCITI methodology and tools. The students' presentations, Partner's meeting and discussion which took place in Vilnius, at the MRU, was streamed live to include all partners. The meeting with the representatives of stakeholder - Municipality of Joniskis, inlc. vice mayor, was held in the Joniskis city.

Details:

• Pilot Execution: Students presented their concepts and the methods they devised for implementing the ideas connected to the challenges of Joniskis city within the community. This included practical demonstrations and theoretical discussions.
• Remote Participation: The live stream facilitated remote engagement, ensuring that all partners could contribute to the feedback and discussions.
• Documentation: All materials will be documented and shared to support ongoing learning and adaptation of the methodology and tools.

Summary of the Meeting:

From July 3rd to 5th, 2024, partners met in Florence to collaborate on the adjustments required after the initial pilot implementations in two regions. Discussions focused on the outcomes from these pilots and recommendations for the third pilot scheduled in Joniskis in September 2024.

Details:

• Pilot Feedback: Partners reviewed the results from the first two pilots, analyzing what worked well and what needed adjustments. This collaborative evaluation ensured that all perspectives were considered.
• Recommendations for Joniskis Pilot: Based on the feedback, specific recommendations were made for the upcoming pilot in Joniskis, ensuring it builds on the learnings from the previous pilots.
• Methodology and Tool Adjustments: The final shape of the methodology and tools was discussed, with ongoing refinements to ensure they meet the diverse needs of different regions. This iterative process is key to developing robust, adaptable tools and guidelines.
• Future Planning: The meeting also included planning for future activities and ensuring all partners are aligned on the project's goals and timelines.

Summary of the Pilot:

Similar to the Cieszyn pilot, the Stuttgart pilot, held from June 19th to 21st, 2024, featured students presenting their ideas and implementation strategies. The event was also streamed live to include all partners, with the presentations to be shared in project materials.

Details:

• Pilot Execution: Students presented their concepts and the methods they devised for implementing these ideas within the community. This included practical demonstrations and theoretical discussions.
• Remote Participation: The live stream facilitated remote engagement, ensuring that all partners could contribute to the feedback and discussions.
• Documentation: As with the Cieszyn pilot, all materials will be documented and shared to support ongoing learning and adaptation of the methodology and tools.

Summary of the Pilot:

The pilot in Cieszyn took place from May 22nd to 24th, 2024. Conducted by students, the pilot involved presenting their ideas and implementation strategies. The event was streamed live, allowing absent partners to participate remotely. Presentations of the ideas will be made available in the project materials.

Details:

• Student Participation: Students actively led the pilot, showcasing their innovative ideas and practical implementation plans. This hands-on experience was crucial for their learning and for gathering real-time feedback.
• Live Streaming: The event was streamed live to ensure inclusivity and participation from all partners, regardless of their physical presence.
• Material Availability: All presentations and discussions from the pilot will be compiled and shared in the project’s resource repository for future reference and learning.

Summary of the Meeting:

The partners gathered in Rijeka from November 7th to 9th, 2023, to finalize the methodology, discuss the necessary tools for participatory activities, and plan the pilot implementations. The meeting included comprehensive discussions on the structure and application of the tools needed for the project. Partners detailed how the pilots would be conducted, including the scheduling, student group structures, and specific roles of each partner during the pilots.

Details:

• Finalization of Methodology: The methodology was refined based on previous feedback and discussions. This included integrating best practices and ensuring the methodology is adaptable across various regions.
• Tools Discussion: Partners reviewed and agreed on the tools required for the participatory processes. These tools will be used to facilitate engagement and gather valuable feedback from local communities.
• Pilot Planning: Detailed plans were made for the pilot projects, including timelines, responsibilities, and expected outcomes. Each partner shared their schedule and strategies for engaging students and local participants effectively.
• Outcomes: The finalized methodology and toolset are now ready for the next phase. The pilots are scheduled, and roles are assigned, ensuring clarity and preparedness for upcoming activities.

Summary of the Visit:

From April 17th to 21st, 2023, as part of the "HEIsCITI - HEIs as Innovative Triggers of Sustainable Development in European Cities in Post Covid-19 era" project, WSB University, the project leader, hosted a study visit and the first international partner meeting at the University of Da Nang, Vietnam.

Details:

• Day 1: The visit began with a formal introduction of the project partners, where each organization presented its activities. Project Manager Dr. Karolina Mucha-Kuś outlined the main objectives and expected outcomes of the project. The attendees also listened to Ms. Le Thi Thu Hanh, Deputy Director of the Department of Foreign Affairs of Da Nang, who spoke about the city's collaboration with Laotian provinces. Following the official part, the first workshop involving project partners took place.
• Subsequent Days: The following days were filled with meetings, workshops, and presentations by all project participants, focusing on substantive, organizational, and strategic aspects of the project. These sessions fostered fruitful discussions and collaborative planning.

Study Visit Highlights:
University of Sciences and Education – UD: Partners visited the University of Sciences and Education, where they participated in meetings and workshops showcasing best practices in cooperation with Laos and Cambodia.

• Session 1: The first session highlighted the collaboration between the university and Laotian provinces in educating Laotian students, followed by a discussion on effective cross-border cooperation strategies.
• Session 2: The second thematic session addressed the role of the Da Nang University campus in Kon Tum in fostering cooperation along the Vietnam-Laos-Cambodia border.
  Partners also had the opportunity to hear from Laotian and Cambodian students who are studying in Vietnam through the university's collaborative efforts with these countries. The five-day visit successfully met all objectives, culminating in a work plan for the coming months.