The programme kicked off with a warm welcome from the SAP coordinator Lies Vanhaelemeesch at Howest. Participants were introduced to the programme’s schedule and engaged in ice-breaker activities designed to create a friendly and relaxed atmosphere. The session also set the stage by outlining the expected outcomes of the ambassador’s programme. To foster engagement and familiarity, participants took part in an interactive session called the “Wall of Participants.”

Understanding the workings of the European University Alliance was a key part of the programme. João dos Santos from the Polytechnic University of Leiria (Portugal) and Lies Vanhaelemeesch provided insights into the alliance’s structure, including the various work packages, decision-making processes, and roles. They also explained how the ambassador programme fits into the broader context of RUN-EU.

A highlight of the day was a testimonial from Milla Räty, who shared her journey from being a student ambassador at HAMK to working as a project assistant for RUN-EU. Her story illustrated the significant impact the programme had on her personal and professional life.

The afternoon was dedicated to input sessions aimed at equipping participants with essential skills to become effective ambassadors. Annelies Geneyn from Howest’s communication department led workshops on effective copywriting and social media mastery, teaching participants how to craft persuasive content and create engaging social media posts.

Additionally, Ilse Coopman from Howest’s EDUHUB shared techniques for delivering persuasive speeches, focusing on the critical elements needed to captivate an audience.

The day concluded with a European aperitif at the DAD cafeteria, where participants brought local food and beverages, and promoted their countries and cultures.

On the second day participants embarked on a trip to Kortrijk, taking the train from Bruges. Upon arrival, they attended a session on video techniques for creating authentic content, led by Koen Vandevoorde and Lieselot Vandamme. The session covered the do’s and don’ts of video content creation and introduced user-friendly video editing tools.

Afterwards, participants applied their newfound knowledge by creating video content for their communication plans. They visited various Howest campuses, including The Level, Industrial Design Centre, Buda campus, and IT-campus, to gather footage and insights for their projects.

The third day morning was dedicated to a technical workshop led by Elke Wagenaar and Fenja den Dulk from NHL Stenden, focusing on photography and creating attractive content using user-friendly tools like Canva. After lunch, participants explored the Mind-and-Makerspace, MAM at Howest. They received an introduction to the machinery and tools available and began creating tangible and digital content for RUN-EU. This included making videos, photos, RapidMooc content, stickers, and customized tote bags. The session emphasised hands-on learning and collaboration, with MAM staff providing feedback throughout the process.

The fourth day was “Communication Day,” focused on creating a comprehensive communication plan, guiding participants through setting objectives, identifying key audiences, and choosing effective channels and tactics. Participants then worked on their individual communication plans as true RUN-EU Ambassadors. They continued their creative work at the Mind-and-Makerspace, developing visuals to promote RUN-EU at their home institutions.

The fifth and final day of the programme was dedicated to closing and celebrating the achievements of the participants. The day began with the grand finale featured students showcasing their videos, communication plans, and other created content. After that a check-in session where the facilitator provided an overview of the day’s learning outcomes and reiterated the expected outcomes of the program.

The day concluded with a debriefing session where students received final feedback to help them act as true ambassadors for RUN-EU. The RUN-EU Ambassadors Programme provided participants with a comprehensive understanding of RUN-EU, equipped them with valuable skills, and fostered a sense of community and collaboration. It was an enriching experience that prepared them to effectively represent and promote the RUN-EU.