Students Week

Throughout the Students Week, 120 learners from the eight-member universities participated in four different Short Advanced Programme (SAP) Challenges – developed and implemented addressing contemporary societal and industrial challenges through interdisciplinary and innovative approaches:

SAP 1 • AI for MedTech: From Medical Imaging to Design and Manufacturing

Focused on the rapidly evolving MedTech sector, particularly the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and digital manufacturing. Participants learned how medical imaging data can be transformed into physical medical solutions, such as customised implants and prosthetics, by combining AI, data science, and advanced manufacturing technologies like 3D printing. 

SAP 2 • Beyond the Stick: Cane Handles Design

A hands-on design challenge centred on reimagining the traditional cane handle. Using 3D scanning, digital modelling, and 3D printing, participants applied inclusive and user-centred design principles to create ergonomic, personalised, and aesthetically distinctive mobility aids, addressing the limitations of standardised products. 

SAP 3 • Climate Change Action: Measurement, Monitoring, and Reporting

Explored the intersections between tourism, hospitality, well-being, and sports, fostering an understanding of how health-enhancing experiences, wellness, and nutrition can be integrated into tourism and hospitality services. Participants also examined the branding potential of sports and cultural events, as well as the evolving human capital needs within these dynamic sectors. 

SAP 4 • Connecting Experiences: Advanced Studies in Tourism, Hospitality, and Sport

Provided participants with theoretical and practical training in sustainability accounting, auditing, and taxation. Through thematic workshops and group research activities, students and researchers explored key topics such as climate action planning, sustainability reporting frameworks, green taxation, and digital tools for good environmental practices. 

Together, these four SAPs demonstrated the RUN-EU network’s commitment to innovative, research-driven, and practice-oriented education, promoting collaboration across disciplines and institutions to address the most pressing global challenges. 

The final selected poster per SAP was presented during the General Assembly on Friday, October 10, 2025.

General Assembly

Opening Session

The RUN-EU General Assembly brought together representatives from the (soon-to-be) ten RUN-EU partner institutions, alongside associated partners and members of the Student, Staff, and Executive Councils. 

The event served as a moment to celebrate the alliance’s achievements over the past year and to outline the next steps towards building a truly pan-European university that drives regional development and prepares future-oriented graduates with advanced and sustainable skills. 

The meeting opened with a warm welcome from Vincent Cunnane, Technological University of the Shannon (TUS) and Coordinator of RUN-EU, followed by an address from Maria José Fernandes, President of IPCA, under the theme “Transforming Regions Together: the RUN-EU Impact at IPCA”, which underlined the importance of collaboration, innovation, and inclusivity within the alliance. 

PANEL Discussion

The morning session featured the Panel Europa – European Alliances, where representatives from four different European University Alliances shared valuable insights into their collaborations and discussed the role of alliances in shaping the future of higher education across Europe. 

The guest speakers for this panel were:

• Raquel Barreira · Pro-President of Polytechnic of Setúbal and E³UDRES² Coordinator at Polytechnic of Setúbal
• Manuel João Costa · Pro-Rector for Student Affairs and Pedagogical Innovation at the University of Minho, and Arqus European University Alliance: Institutional Coordinator, Executive Committee
• Manuel José Damásio · FilmEU Coordinator at Lusófona University
• Paula Tavares · Vice President for the International Communication and Culture at the Polytechnic University of Cávado and Ave, and RUN-EU Institutional Coordinator at IPCA

RIO IMPACT showcase CHALLENGE

During the General Assembly, the RUN-EU Impact Showcase Challenge officially came to a close. This initiative, led by the RUN-EU Impact Observatory, was created to celebrate and recognise the positive impact that staff across the alliance make through their RUN-EU activities. 

The challenge invited all RUN-EU institutions to share inspiring examples of initiatives, projects, and actions that demonstrate how RUN-EU contributes to regional development, innovation, and community engagement. Its purpose was to highlight the tangible outcomes of collaboration within the alliance and the difference these make to people and regions. 

The Impact Showcase Challenge was presented by Jasper Dhoore (Howest Impact Lab and RUN-EU Impact Observatory), who also announced the winning team: the Short Advanced Programme (SAP) ‘Next-Gen Content‘. This programme, coordinated by Howest (Belgium), IPLeiria (Portugal), NHL Stenden (The Netherlands), and IPCA (Portugal), brought together 45 students and 9 lecturers from three countries (Lieselot Vandamme, Caroline Baert, Inês Conde, Catarina Menezes, Leonel Brites, Marta Oliveira, Martine van der Veer, Angela Dijkstra, Ana Moreno, António Coelho) to explore, on behalf of the European Commission (#EU4BE), how Generation Z consumes news. After extensive creative collaboration and practical work, the students presented a range of innovative campaign ideas aimed at engaging young audiences across Europe. 

COUNCILS’ DELIBERATIONS AND VIEWS

Reports from the Staff Council (Brian Murphy, TUS), the Associated Partner Advisory Board (Ricardo Simões, CCDR-Norte), and the Student Council (Ana Rita Gomes Freitas and Mykhaylo Nikanorov, IPCA) followed, illustrating the inclusive governance model that underpins the alliance’s progress and success. 

RUN-EU 2.0 OUTCOMES & NEW PARTNERS PRESENTATION

This year’s General Assembly was dedicated to the theme “Transforming Regions Together: The RUN-EU Impact at IPCA”, showcasing the alliance’s tangible regional contributions and highlighting the collaborative work carried out through research, innovation, and educational initiatives. 

Pedro Assuncão, RUN-EU Co-Coordinator and Vice-President from the Polytechnic University of Leiria, presented three main achievements of RUN-EU in 2025 with great potential impact on the future operation of the Alliance. These include the strengthening and progress of the four operational entities from a project-based approach towards the long-term structural and systemic cooperation, the creation of a shared legal entity for the provision and management of IT Systems and Services and the ongoing development of a Quality Assurance framework for RUN-EU, in line with the European Approach.

In addition, presentations were delivered on the four key pillars of RUN-EU:

• RUN-EPA (European Programmes Academy), led by Katja Maetoloa · HAMK.
• RUN-ERA (European Research Area), presented by Patrick Murray · TUS.
• RUN-ESEC (European Stakeholder Engagement Centre), by Ileana Greca · UBU.
• RUN-EMIC (European Mobility and Innovation Centre), by Peter de Boer · NHL Stenden. 

Representatives from the Technical University of Liberec (TUL) and the University of Galati (UGAL), the newest members of RUN-EU, also joined the session, further expanding the alliance’s European footprint and diversity. 

closinG session

The closing session, chaired by Maria José Fernandes (President of IPCA) and Paula Tavares (Vice-President for International Communication and Culture, and RUN-EU Institutional Coordinator at IPCA), together with Ruaidhri Neavyn (RUN-EU CEO) and Siobhan Moane (RUN-EU COO), summarised the week’s outcomes and reaffirmed the alliance’s shared mission of Transforming Regions Together. 

During the closing session, IPCA’s President, Maria José Fernandes, highlighted the transformative impact of RUN-EU over the past few years, emphasising the network’s role in pedagogical innovation and in strengthening research and development partnerships. 

During the General Assembly, a symbolic handover of leadership for the RUN-EU Chair of the President’s Steering Group took place between Vincent Cunnane, President of TUS, and Marc Otto, President of NHL Stenden.
Vincent Cunnane, who has guided the group with distinction over the past two years, will officially step down in January.

The next RUN-EU Students’ Week and General Assembly will be hosted by the University of Burgos (UBU), Spain, in January 2027.

IPCA handed over a symbolic regional piece of ceramics to Ileana Greca, Vice-Rector of UBU.