NEWS
Innovation in Action: Transforming our Regions Together! Get Ready for the General Assembly and Students’ Week 2025
4 July 2024
The Polytechnic University of Cávado and Ave (IPCA) will host the fifth RUN-EU General Assembly (GA) and Students’ Week (SW) from 6 to 10 October 2025, in Barcelos, Portugal.
The General Assembly (GA) functions as the Alliance’s principal governing council, convening annually during Students’ Week to guide strategic decision-making.
This key event brings together Presidents, Rectors, Associated Partners, students, academics and members of the RUN-EU Executive Management Board.
Its principal aim is to evaluate and determine high-level policy matters through comprehensive discussions and contributions from stakeholders.
The General Assembly will take place on the morning of Friday, 10 October 2025, following a week of meetings involving all Work Packages and Councils dedicated to reviewing progress and planning forthcoming initiatives.
Under the theme “Innovation in Action: Transforming Our Regions Together,” the event will exemplify our collective commitment to harnessing innovation as a driving force for sustainable regional development and enhanced cross-border collaboration.
In alignment with the ethos of RUN-EU, the event will promote expanded opportunities for exchanges among students, member universities, associated partners, regional stakeholders, and staff, working in concert to advance the objectives of RUN-EU and foster regional growth.
The theme “Innovation in Action” encapsulates the Alliance’s dedication to developing impactful ideas, strategies, and projects, not solely during RUN-EU Students’ Week and the General Assembly, but throughout the ongoing activities of the Alliance.
The General Assembly constitutes a highly anticipated event in the annual RUN-EU calendar, providing a valuable opportunity to reflect upon and celebrate the Alliance’s collective achievements across a broad range of domains.
Registration for the GA Week is currently open to members of the RUN-EU Management Bodies.


A total of 135 RUN-EU students will participate in the Students’ Week, engaging in four Short Advanced Programme (SAP) Challenges:
SAP 1 • AI for MedTech: From Medical Imaging to Design and Manufacturing
SAP 2 • Beyond the Stick: Cane Handles Design
SAP 3 • Climate Change Action: Measurement, Monitoring, and Reporting
SAP 4 • Connecting Experiences: Advanced Studies in Tourism, Hospitality, and Sport

RUN-EU Students Week Agenda
Monday, 6 October 2025
All SAP Challenges
9h00–9h30 · Check-In
9h30–10h00 · Welcome and Ice Breaking
10h30–11h00 · Launching the Challenges
13h00–14h00 · Lunch Break
14h30–15h00 · Lecture
Meeting Research in RUN-EU Challenges and Opportunities
16h30–17h00 · Cultural Activity
Meeting Braga
Tuesday, 7 October 2025
9h00–10h30 · Workshops
- SAP 1 · AI for MedTech: From Medical Imaging to Design and Manufacturing
WS AI-Based Digitalisation and Anatomic Modelling - SAP 2 · Beyond the Stick: Cane Handles Design
WS Research and Understanding of Needs - SAP 3 · Climate Change Action: Measurement, Monitoring, and Reporting
WS Research Methodologies & Data Analysis - SAP 4 · Connecting Experiences: Advanced Studies in Tourism, Hospitality, and Sport
WS Wellbeing, Tourism: Designing Health – Enhancing Experiences
13h00–14h00 · Lunch Break
14h00–16h00 · Workshops
- SAP 1 · AI for MedTech: From Medical Imaging to Design and Manufacturing
WS SMART Digital Design and Manufacturing - SAP 2 · Beyond the Stick: Cane Handles Design
WS Manual Modelling with Moulding Paste - SAP 3 · Climate Change Action: Measurement, Monitoring, and Reporting
WS Sustainability Reporting: Challenges and Frameworks - SAP 4 · Connecting Experiences: Advanced Studies in Tourism, Hospitality, and Sport
WS Event Management and Destination Branding
16h00–18h00 · Workshop
- SAP 3 · Climate Change Action: Measurement, Monitoring, and Reporting
Case Studies: Sharing Practical Experiences
Wednesday, 8 October 2025
9h00–11h30 · Working Group
9h00–13h00 · Workshops
- SAP 2 · Beyond the Stick: Cane Handles Design
WS 3D Scanning and Digital Modelling - SAP 3 · Climate Change Action: Measurement, Monitoring, and Reporting
WS Green taxation for climate action - SAP 4 · Connecting Experiences: Advanced Studies in Tourism, Hospitality, and Sport
WS Nutrition and Performance in Hospitality and Wellbeing Events
13h00–14h00 · Lunch Break
14h00–16h00 · Group Work · All SAP Challenges
Student Council meeting at the same time
18h00–21h00 · Cultural Programme and Dinner in Barcelos · All SAP Challenges
Thursday, 9 October 2025
9h00–11h30 · Preparation of Project/prototype – Challenges
- SAP 1 · AI for MedTech: From Medical Imaging to Design and Manufacturing
- SAP 2 · Beyond the Stick: Cane Handles Design
9h00–11h30 · Workshops
- SAP 3 · Climate Change Action: Measurement, Monitoring, and Reporting
WS Digital Tools for Sustainability (Big Data, IoT, Blockchain) - SAP 4 · Connecting Experiences: Advanced Studies in Tourism, Hospitality, and Sport
WS Human Capital Dynamics in Tourism, Hospitality and Sports
13h00–14h00 · Lunch Break
14h00–17h00 · Presentation of Results + Preparing Posters · All SAP Challenges
Friday, 10 October 2025
All SAP Challenges
9h00–13h00 · General Assembly in Barcelos Campus
13h00–14h00 · Lunch Break
14h00 · Departure
14h00–14h30 · Visit Labs Campus IPCA, Barcelos
Note: This agenda update is still ongoing.