News

Disability Rights in Europe: How Can EU Law Make a Difference?

2026-01-16T14:42:47+02:00

How does European Union law protect the rights of persons with disabilities? What role does the Court of Justice of the EU play in shaping disability rights across Member States? And why is it important to look at disability law through a truly European lens?

These questions are at the heart of the latest episode of the Arqus Knowledge Pills podcast, featuring Bernardo Cortese, professor of European Union law at the University of Padua.

In this episode, Bernardo Cortese discusses his recent publication on the role of the Court of Justice of the European Union in adapting EU employment equality law to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. He explains why EU law should be understood as a multi-layered system, where courts, legislators and institutions interact to progressively strengthen fundamental rights.

The conversation also explores the most significant developments in EU disability law over the past decade, including advances in case law, legislation and soft law instruments. Special attention is given to particularly vulnerable groups, such as asylum seekers and third-country nationals with disabilities, who face multiple layers of discrimination and barriers to the protection of their dignity.

The speaker also reflects on how his personal experience as a parent of a child with a severe disability has shaped his research, offering a powerful example of how legal concepts translate into real-life challenges. The episode concludes with a discussion on the importance of building a European culture of inclusion, empowerment and collective representation, and on how EU law can influence national systems to promote meaningful change.

You can find the latest podcast episode here.

Exploring AI in Academia: Practical Applications and Best Practices

2026-01-15T15:40:49+02:00

Arqus and the IDea_Lab, from the University of Graz, invite the Arqus community to an online event on the topic of AI in research university education. The event will bring together experts from across Europe to discuss practical AI applications in higher education, as well as key challenges related to ethics, governance and academic integrity.

With keynote talks and thematic panels, the programme offers a compact overview of current developments and best practices for the responsible use of AI in academia. The programme will take place online on 28 January 2025. For registration, click here.

Teaching in English with Confidence – A Weekly Language Workshop Series

2026-01-08T07:00:27+02:00

The workshop series Weekly language workshops for teaching in English, is designed to support instructors who teach their subjects through English by addressing both practical skills and common challenges. The sessions will take place on Mondays from 12 January to 16 February from 16:00 to 17.30 CET.

Throughout the series, participants will exchange ideas, experiment with useful language and techniques, and reflect on how to enhance clarity and confidence in their classrooms.

The first session of the series will give participants a forum to exchange experiences, and challenges of teaching through English. Then the next sessions will focus on essential issues such as improving fluency, giving effective feedback in English, assessing students’ academic writing and helping students to develop strong presentation skills.

The workshop series will conclude with an open session to address remaining questions or concerns. Participants can share insights, discuss specific challenges, and plan how to apply what they’ve learnt in their own teaching. For more information and registration, click here.

Applications Open for the 4th Call of the Arqus Joint Master’s Programme in European Studies

2026-01-07T05:41:47+02:00

Arqus announces the 4th call for applications for the Arqus Joint Master’s Programme in European Studies. The call is open until 31 March 2026 (23:59 CEST).

The Arqus Joint Master’s Programme in European Studies is a full-time master’s programme that can be completed over two years, comprising a total of 120 ECTS credits. It brings together the expertise and academic excellence of four Arqus universities (Granada, Graz, Leipzig and Vilnius) and is offered entirely in English.

The programme focuses on the relationship between Europeanization and globalisation, the impact of global developments on Europe and the changing role of the continent in the new world order. It is organised as a joint programme that allows participants to profit from a wide range of options in complementary focus areas and from a unique intercultural experience due to the extensive international composition of students in the programme.

Some of the special features of this programme include:

Different disciplinary and regional perspectives on selected topics.
Students can spend a semester at one of the partner universities in the second and/or third semester, depending on their interests and the specialisation and regional focus offered.
The programme features virtual exchange components to the extent of 30 ECTS.
Joint courses.
Joint Degree recognised by all partner universities.

The application deadline is 31 March 2026 (23:59 CEST). For more information, click here.

Applications Now Open for the Arqus PhD Career Week Beyond Academia

2026-01-05T15:00:42+02:00

The 6th Edition of the Arqus PhD Week for Careers Beyond Academia will be held at Maynooth University in June 2026. The Arqus Career Week is a 5-day programme intended to support PhD researchers in exploring and pursuing career paths beyond university research.

The programme offers talks and workshops, led by a group of career experts with international backgrounds, to help participants recognise their labour market skills and give insight into application and hiring processes, as well as company cultures outside academia. We will partner with two Irish-based doctoral programmes for some of the activities during the week.

The next Career Week will take place at Maynooth University, Ireland, from Monday, 8 June to Friday, 12 June 2026.

Applications are open until Saturday, 31 January 2026, 23:59 CET (more information below). Some local variations in the deadline may apply.

What is the Arqus Career Week?

The Career Week is a combination of expert input and participatory approaches, focused on discussion and self-exploration. A draft schedule for the week is available here. This schedule is subject to minor changes. Topics to include:

The Skills Audit: Mapping Your PhD Talent Development to New Career Paths
Unlock Your Career Capital: Assess and Grow Your Professional Power
Effective Communication
Generative AI use in cover letters and CVs
Industry and Academic Roundtables – small roundtable discussions with PhD graduates in industry and academic positions
LinkedIn profile and marketing yourself
Should I stay or should I go: How to handle being uncertain about your academic career
Job Interview Skills
Research Funding Pathways and Grant Funding
Fiasco Fest

The Career Week also provides the opportunity to meet and exchange with other early-stage researchers as well as professionals in career development from different countries and disciplines.

What is the Fiasco Fest?

The Fiasco Fest provides an open, festive environment in which participants talk about highlights and failures of their careers so far. They subsequently analyse what they have experienced as “fiascos” and why. Together, the participants then explore which resources they have already used to overcome inevitable setbacks, and they receive psychological insights and more tools for personal development from professional trainers. The Fiasco Fest concludes with an exercise in letting go and an opportunity to mingle and exchange further. It will be incorporated in the PhD Week as a 3-hour workshop.

Who is this for?

The Arqus Career Week is intended for PhD candidates (beyond the first year) who are considering a future career beyond academia and do not have a lot of experience in non-academic professional environments (service industry and other student jobs excluded). The programme is open to early-stage researchers from all disciplines.

While we do not require any proof of English proficiency, you should be able to carry on a conversation and work together in this language.

Due to funding requirements, you must be enrolled as a doctoral student or have an active employment contract at one of the Arqus universities.

How to apply?

If you want to apply for the Arqus Career Week, please do so via this online Google form.

Only fully completed forms will be considered.

Prepare a (300-500 word) description of why you want to participate in the programme, what your expectations towards the programme are, why you are interested in (potentially) moving beyond academia in your career, which topics you would particularly like to learn about more/need support with etc. – this statement of motivation will be key in the selection process.
Send your Curriculum Vitae (in PDF form) directly to Stephen Carroll, as detailed above. The selection of participants will be made by local committees at the home university. Depending on the number of applicants and available funding, each university will be able to send 3-4 participants. You will be informed about the outcome within 3 weeks after the application deadline.

Please note: If you use any supporting tools such as DeepL or ChatGPT, make sure that the application consists solely of your own thoughts and motivations and reflects the level of your English language skills.

Funding for travel and accommodation from different sources will be available through your home university; however, please be aware that you might have to prepare a separate funding application after the selection process (your local Arqus contact person will inform you about the process).

The application deadline is Saturday, 31 January 2026, 23:59 CET. For more information and the application, click here.

Arqus Reopens Its A1 Online Language Courses

2025-12-16T12:04:53+02:00

This online courses are designed to help participants lay the foundation of a language, helping them every step of the way. The sessions consist of two-hour interactive online lessons once a week with an experienced tutor.

Following a communicative and task-based approach, so students are expected to actively participate in the session and to do autonomous work before and after the online class. More information about the methodology and course materials will be provided at the beginning of the course.

These courses are open to all members of the Arqus Alliance, but due to high demand, we can accept only up to two participants per university.

Registration is already open for the Italian and Irish courses. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to expand your horizons and learn a new language. For more information and registration, click here.

��vlog�� to Host the Second International Vilnius Neuroscience Conference for Young Researchers

2025-12-12T13:51:42+02:00

��vlog�� will host the Second International Vilnius Neuroscience Conference for Young Researchers on 17–18 April 2026, bringing together young investigators from across the fields of clinical neurology, neurosurgery, psychiatry, toxicology, and neuroscience.

The conference is dedicated to students, resident doctors, PhD students, and early-career researchers who are interested in presenting their work, exchanging ideas, and engaging with the international neuroscience community. Alongside invited lectures by experienced scholars, the programme will place a strong emphasis on oral presentations by young researchers.

Separate scientific sessions are planned for neurology, neurosurgery, psychiatry, toxicology, and neuroscience, ensuring focused discussions within each discipline. Awards will be presented to the best speakers in recognition of outstanding research and presentation quality.

Abstract submission and registration are now open.

– Deadline for abstract submission: 22 February 2026
– Conference dates: 17–18 April 2026
– Conference venue: ��vlog��

The registration deadline for abstract presenters is 15 March 2026, while non-presenting participants may register until 31 March 2026. The flat registration fee is €20. Detailed payment information is available through the registration link. Young researchers interested in participating are encouraged to submit their abstracts and secure their place in advance. For abstract submission, click here, for registration, click here.

Arqus Community of Practice Gathers to Discuss the Future of Heritage Collections

2025-12-11T14:37:51+02:00

The Arqus Community of Practice “Libraries of the Future” invites staff members of the Arqus universities to their hybrid meeting “Cultural Heritage in Arqus Member Libraries”, organised by Durham University on 14 and 15 January 2026. The event will focus on heritage and special collections, archives, conservation, digitisation and related topics.

Over two days, professionals from Arqus member libraries and academic departments will come together to discuss current developments and opportunities in managing and working with heritage collections across the Arqus Alliance university libraries. The event will take place at the Teaching and Learning Centre, Durham University, and online on Teams.

Specific areas that will be covered include:

The use of heritage and special collections and archives in research
Heritage and special collections and archives in external and civic engagement
Digital initiatives in and with special collections and archives
Conservation and preservation
Heritage science and the history of the book
Staff development in heritage collections

Speakers will be from Durham University and other Arqus member institutions. This event is open only to members of all Arqus Alliance universities and is aimed at library staff and any Arqus staff member interested in heritage collections.

For registration, click here.

Arqus Community of Practice on Project Finance Management Met in Leipzig

2025-12-08T13:31:00+02:00

Photo credit: Leipzig University / Steven Rupp

The eighth meeting of the Arqus Community of Practice Projects Finance Management Offices (CoP PFMO) took place in Leipzig from 25 to 27 November 2025. The community aims to advance project finance management by sharing expertise and building collective knowledge within the European University Alliance and at individual institutions.

The meeting went far beyond simply sharing experiences, providing a platform for in-depth discussions on key aspects of financial audits and reporting. Participants explored European Commission audits, CFS and other external audits, approaches to justifying high-value project expenses and SPA audits. The discussions focused on fostering alignment of practices across institutions, enhancing transparency and jointly developing a comprehensive audit strategy, including preparation for external audits, to strengthen compliance and audit readiness. These points reflect the tangible outcomes and collaborative achievements of the meeting.

In this context, Milena Tamošiūnienė from ��vlog�� played a particularly significant role. As the institutional lead responsible for all external project audits at ��vlog��, she drew on her extensive long-term experience to present a comprehensive audit strategy designed to strengthen early error detection, ensure transparency in financial documentation and align internal processes with European Commission requirements. Her contribution offered a clear, structured and highly practical methodology that resonated strongly with participants and supported the broader meeting objective of developing unified approaches across the Arqus alliance.

Dr Olaf Hirschfeld, Head of Internal Auditing at Leipzig University, presented the university’s role as the first-level controller of financial reports in EU projects.

“Meetings like this offer a great opportunity to exchange ideas with finance and project managers from other European universities, identify common challenges and learn from each other,” said Anja Radon from Leipzig University, who organised the meeting.

The meeting strengthened cooperation between Arqus universities in the area of project finance and established a foundation for unifying audit standards. According to PFMO CoP Lead Aleita Markevič, the active participation of every partner was crucial in discussing such a complex topic. Each contribution helped deepen the discussions, share expertise and ensure that all perspectives were considered. It was also significant that this meeting could take place thanks to the support of the Arqus Innovation Fund, whose contribution greatly enhanced the outcomes and enabled a more effective and impactful exchange among partners.

The strategies and best practices developed aim to increase transparency and efficiency in financial audits in the future. The next meeting of the PFMO working group in Graz is already planned for 27–28 May 2026, with the aim of further developing the approaches established in Leipzig and continuing the exchange of experiences.

Hybrid Webinar: Why Language Learning Still Matters in the Age of AI?

2025-12-08T05:00:27+02:00

On Friday, 12 December at 9:00 CET, the hybrid webinar “Why Language Learning Still Matters in the Age of AI?” will take place online and in person at ��vlog��.

During the session, Dr Caroline Allen from Leipzig University will explore how language learning continues to shape professional success, personal growth and intercultural understanding, emphasising that technology should be regarded as a tool that enhances – rather than replaces – the language learning process.

Dr Caroline Allen is an instructor at Leipzig University, where she develops and delivers ESP (English for specific purposes) courses for students in the natural sciences. Her work centres on helping learners build confidence and become the English speakers they aspire to be.

For registration, click here.

Durham University announces Global Grand Challenges Studentships

2025-12-05T14:13:54+02:00

Durham University launches The Global Grand Challenges Studentships (Hunt-Raymond GGC Studentships). This call is for research and researchers aligned to SDG13: Climate Action, for projects that aim to address issues associated with climate change and building a more resilient global future.

Amount: Payment of full yearly tuition fees (home and overseas rate). Tax-free yearly stipend [UKRI-matched; 2026 value to be confirmed (2025 entry £20,780.00)]
Year of entry: October 2026.
Number of awards available: Five.

Eligibility

1st or 2:1 undergraduate degree, or relevant comparable experience;
A strong academic record and research potential;
A research proposal for a high-quality and manageable PhD project that can be completed within the funded period of 3.5 years, with potential impact in the areas of SDG13: Climate Action;
Multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary proposals and supervision are encouraged;
International applicants must meet the University’s entry requirements (e.g. IELTS requirements) with the potential for an ‘unconditional academic offer’ by the deadline.

You are not eligible to apply if you meet one of the following:

are currently a registered doctoral student;
are in receipt of/or expecting to be in receipt of any other funding, e.g., from a national government, research council or charity;
are expecting to be in full-time work during the term of the studentship, if your studentship application is successful.

For more information, click here.

Arqus Launches Second EMI Seminar on Effective and Inclusive Assessment

2025-12-05T13:00:57+02:00

Arqus announces the second webinar in its English-Medium Instruction (EMI) Seminar Series for the academic year 2025–26, which is run by Maynooth University. The topic of this year’s series is effective assessment in English-taught programmes and classes. Titled “Inclusive assessment in EMI: Linguistically accessible and diversified”, this webinar will be delivered by Alicia Salomone and Ludmila Kalasnikova from the Universidad de Chile. It will take place online on Thursday, 11 December 2025, from 12:00 to 13:00 (CET).

This webinar will introduce “language-light” assessment approaches that are designed to reduce linguistic demands on EMI students while preserving content-focused academic standards. Participants will explore practical alternatives to traditional written assignments and learn how small intentional adjustments can meaningfully enhance fairness and inclusion in EMI contexts. Grounded in strategies developed for the EMI professional development course at the Universidad de Chile, the webinar will provide concrete, adaptable techniques that educators can implement across a wide range of disciplines. By the end of the session, participants will be encouraged to reflect on their own assessment practices and identify opportunities to design assessment tasks that are more accessible, equitable and linguistically inclusive.

Speakers

Professor Alicia Salomone is a full professor in the Department of Literature at the Faculty of Philosophy and Humanities and currently works as the director of the International Office at the Universidad de Chile’s Rectory. She holds a PhD in Hispanic-American literature from the Universidad de Chile and a master’s in global Englishes from the University of Southampton, along with a TESOL certificate from Trinity College London. As head of the university’s internationalisation strategy, Alicia has led key initiatives to enhance students’ global learning experiences and academic careers by promoting international cooperation and intercultural awareness. Her research interests include internationalisation of higher education, language policy and contemporary Hispanic-American literature with a focus on identity, migration and cultural memory.

Ludmila Kalasnikova is the EMI programme coordinator at the Online Education Office under the Vice-Presidency of Information Technologies at the Universidad de Chile. She holds a master’s in education from Daugavpils University and a master’s in applied linguistics from the University of Southampton, along with CELTA and TKT certificates. In her current role, Ludmila is responsible for developing and implementing a professional teacher training course related to the internationalisation of curriculum. Her research interests include EMI methodology, the role of English as a lingua franca in higher education and the design of EMI teacher professional development programmes.

Participation in the webinar is free, but registration is required. For registration, click here.

The Arqus Rectors’ Council met in San Servolo

2025-12-01T11:43:55+02:00

The University of Padua hosted the 17th meeting of the Arqus Rectors’ Council at the campus of Venice International University on San Servolo Island, marking the beginning of a week of significant events. The Rectors of the Arqus universities convened for two days, during which they held a retreat and a formal Rectors’ Council meeting to discuss and shape the mid- to long-term direction of the Alliance.

Among the principal items on the agenda, the rectors examined the strategic and financial framework for the Alliance’s next phase. They also considered the possibility of establishing a legal entity for Arqus, a step that would have strengthened its institutional identity and supported long-term sustainability. The meeting also provided an occasion to introduce Paloma Fernández Torres, who assumed her position as the new Arqus Secretary General on 1 October.

In addition, preparations for the 2026 Arqus Annual Conference at Maynooth University were reviewed, with discussions highlighting its connection to the forthcoming Irish Presidency of the Council of the European Union. A dedicated session also explored the role of the Alliance’s associate partners – Durham University and the National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy.

These key meetings of the Rectors were followed by a meeting of the Task Force established to prepare the next Erasmus+ funding application, as well as meetings of the co-leads of the various working groups to plan the remaining months leading up to the completion of their objectives.

Venice International University is a unique consortium of 23 universities and research institutions from around the world – including the University of Padua – with an autonomous campus located on San Servolo Island, in the heart of the Venetian Lagoon.

Arqus Knowledge Pills: Rethinking Peace Beyond the Human

2025-11-20T11:18:14+02:00

What if peace were not just a human affair? Can we still believe in pacifism? Explore these questions and rethink the very meaning of peace in the latest episode of the Arqus Knowledge Pills podcast with Maximiliam Lakitsch (University of Graz).

On the 43rd episode of the Arqus Knowledge Pills, Maximilian Lakitsch, a senior scientist at the Department of the Foundations of Law (Global Governance Section) at the University of Graz, explores how environmental realities are inseparable from political and social dynamics and how truly sustainable peace must include the non-human world as an active participant.

This episode discusses the understanding of peace that evolves across cultures and time, why it should be seen as an ongoing process rather than a final state, what role Europe plays in peacekeeping today, and Maximilian Lakitsch’s idea of strategic optimism, a realistic outlook that acknowledges today’s challenges as opportunities to find more effective and inclusive paths towards peace, rather than reasons for despair.

Listen to the latest episode here.

Designing Effective Self-Study Environments: An Arqus Teaching Innovation Workshop

2025-11-17T05:00:30+02:00

The Arqus Alliance and the University of Graz invite instructors from Arqus Universities to the Arqus Teaching Innovation Workshop on beneficial self-study settings. Join us on Friday, 12 December from 9:00 to 13:00 CET.

Learning is an active process that requires students not only to absorb content during classroom sessions but also to engage with materials independently by working through new concepts, applying them, and reinforcing what they have learned.

The workshop, led by Elisabeth Weber, a higher education expert and university instructor at BOKU University (Vienna), will focus on task design, material selection, and methodological approaches that align with sustainable learning principles. Register by 5 December 2025.

For more information and registration, click here.

Arqus Alliance Launches Online Workshop Series on AI in Teaching and Learning

2025-11-14T05:00:22+02:00

Artificial intelligence is rapidly transforming teaching in higher education – but how can these opportunities be used most effectively?

Members of the Arqus Alliance community are invited to join the online workshop series “AI in Teaching & Learning: International Perspectives and Best Practices”, which brings together academics, teaching support staff, and didactic experts from a range of European universities.

The series consists of 90-minute online workshops designed for colleagues across all Arqus universities. Speakers will present practical examples of AI applications in teaching, share research insights and good practices, and encourage participants to exchange their own experiences.

The workshops aim to inspire and equip participants with practical guidance for integrating AI into teaching, learning, and assessment.

More information and registration are available here.

Arqus Welcomes Its New Secretary General: Paloma Fernández Torres

2025-11-13T15:19:14+02:00

On 1 October, Arqus welcomed Paloma Fernández Torres as the new Secretary General of the Alliance.

Paloma brings over seven years of experience in European affairs and project management across public administrations and EU organisations. Before joining Arqus, she worked at the University of Barcelona’s BCN-AIM Lab as Project Manager in the field of Horizon Europe projects, and previously held roles at RMIT Europe and the European Commission’s Directorate-General for European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations in Brussels. Her career has been marked by a strong commitment to European values and a cooperative approach at the EU level. She holds a Double Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science from the University of Granada and Sciences Po Bordeaux, and a Master’s in International Studies from Sciences Po Bordeaux. She also had the opportunity to complete a study visit at the University of Montréal.

During her first weeks working for Arqus, Paloma has focused on getting to closely know the coordination team with whom she will work hand in hand, and the local UGR team, and has begun attending key working meetings, to become familiar with the current dynamics and priorities of the Alliance. She also met the Pro Vice-Chancellor (Global) of Durham University, Claire O’Malley, during her visit to Granada on 15 October, strengthening ties with one of the Arqus associate partners. In addition, she has taken part in several meetings with the Arqus Management Team, enabling her to connect with the institutional coordinators representing each of the universities in the Alliance and gaining a broader perspective on their shared objectives. She has also met with the Data Protection Officer of the University of Granada, to fine-tune relevant documents for the Alliance, as well as with the Legal Entity Task Force.

“I am delighted to join Arqus and to contribute to strengthening European higher education cooperation. I look forward to working closely with all partner universities to make Arqus a true driver of innovation, inclusion, and shared European values. Education is the most powerful tool we have to transform societies, and at a time full of challenges, fostering a stronger and more cooperative European education area is key to shaping the future. I also feel privileged to work for the University of Granada, where my educational journey first began”, says Paloma.

Welcome to the Alliance, Paloma!

Apply for the Third Call for Arqus Mentors and Mentees

2025-11-12T15:15:04+02:00

Join the Arqus Alumni Mentorship Programme for the 2025-2026 academic year. Whether you are an alumni, a young professional eager to share your knowledge or a student looking to get some advice in shaping your university or professional career, this programme offers an enriching experience for all participants.

In its third edition, the Arqus Alumni Mentorship Programme is an online initiative that connects Arqus alumni, regardless of their field of study or profession, with current students and recent graduates. It provides mentorship, career guidance, and networking opportunities.

The call for applications will be open until 12 December 2025. For more information, click here.

VU Master’s Students Took Part in the “Arqus Twinning” Programme on Urban Green Transitions

2025-11-12T12:00:15+02:00

Programme participants. Photo credit: Personal archive

In October, master’s students from the Faculty of Chemistry and Geosciences at ��vlog�� (VU) participated in the international programme “Urban Green Transition Pathways: Experiences from Vilnius, Granada and Beyond”, held at the University of Granada, Spain. The programme was organised through the “Arqus Twinning” initiative and coordinated by VU Associate Professor Justas Kažys together with University of Granada researchers Prof. Juan Luis Guerrero-Rascado and Prof. Paloma Cariñanos González.

The aim of the programme was to promote research on urban green transitions and to encourage an interdisciplinary approach to sustainable urban development, combining science, technology and environmental protection. Participants explored topics such as green space development, air quality, climate change mitigation, and the preservation of natural heritage. The “Arqus Twinning” initiative seeks to foster academic exchange among students and lecturers within the Arqus Alliance universities, promote interdisciplinary perspectives on climate change and sustainable urban development, and strengthen international collaboration.

Exploring Advanced Research in Atmospheric and Earth Systems

The programme began with a visit to the Andalusian Inter-University Institute for Earth System Research, where a student research session took place. VU master’s students presented their scientific projects, while students from the University of Granada showcased their ongoing PhD research. During discussions, participants exchanged insights on physical geography and meteorology, explored research methods in climate studies, and discussed urban environmental challenges.

Following the session, students visited the institute’s modern research laboratories to see first-hand how scientists study atmospheric processes and Earth systems. Among the highlights were the hypobaric chamber, capable of simulating high-altitude conditions, and a hands-on activity launching a meteorological balloon with a radiosonde, which transmitted live atmospheric data.

Air Quality Research and Aerobiology Discoveries

The second day of the programme focused on air quality and aerobiology research. Students visited the University of Granada’s Biological Air Quality Department, where researchers from the Department of Botany presented the importance of pollen and spore studies for climate, environmental quality, and human health.

During practical sessions, participants worked with microscopes and learned to identify pollen from different plants – intricate structures that influence both the climate and allergic reactions. They were also introduced to automated sensors capable of detecting not only pollen and spores in real time, but also airborne microplastic particles.

After an intensive day in the laboratory, students visited the historic Botanical Garden of the University of Granada, where they explored diverse plant collections and admired a centuries-old ginkgo tree (Ginkgo biloba) – a symbol of sustainability and longevity.

From Soil to High-Altitude Climate

On the third day, students explored several natural science museums at the University of Granada, featuring collections in soil science, mineralogy, herbology and zoology. These exhibitions revealed not only the richness of nature but also the fundamental connections between different layers of the Earth’s systems.

In the afternoon, Prof. Marco Andrade from Bolivia delivered a lecture, sharing over a decade of experience working at the world’s highest Global Atmosphere Watch (GAW) station. Students learned about the unique conditions, climate characteristics, and data analysis challenges of this extreme high-altitude environment.

Understanding and Preventing Seismic Processes

On the fourth day, participants visited the Andalusian Institute of Geophysics and Earthquake Prevention (Instituto Andaluz de Geofísica). At this strategically important centre, students learned how scientists monitor, analyse and assess seismic events.

Since the Granada region lies within an active seismic zone, the institute’s work plays a crucial role in both fundamental science and disaster prevention, contributing to public safety. Students had the opportunity to observe historical seismological instruments as well as the latest technologies that enable real-time monitoring of seismic activity across the globe.

Summarising their experience, students emphasised that the programme provided not only valuable scientific knowledge but also intercultural learning opportunities and a chance to exchange ideas and establish academic connections with researchers from other countries.

“This “Arqus” visit offered not only new knowledge but also an enriching intercultural experience. It provided meaningful insight into another country’s advanced scientific methods. The programme revealed how different countries tackle the challenges of green space development, air quality improvement and climate change mitigation, as well as the interdisciplinary solutions they employ. Collaboration with researchers from the University of Granada allowed us to build connections, share experiences and gain inspiration for new ideas. The visit reminded us once again that sustainable progress is not only about technology – it’s also about cooperation, creativity and the shared goal of creating a safe and green future,” said the participants.

Nominations for the 5th Arqus Teaching Excellence Award

2025-11-10T15:23:42+02:00

The Arqus Alliance announces the launch of the fifth Arqus Teaching Excellence Award contest. This award seeks to recognise educators who exemplify innovation and excellence in their pedagogical practices, fostering a culture of learning that transcends disciplinary boundaries and empowers students from diverse backgrounds to thrive in inclusive, community-based and dynamic learning environments.

In line with our mission to promote collaborative and inclusive education, the Arqus Teaching Excellence Award will honour teaching initiatives and projects that are based on research-informed teaching and learning approaches and prioritise the integral development and empowerment of students.

Teaching initiatives and projects implemented from the start of the academic year 2024/2025 will be considered for this award.

As we embark on this journey to celebrate teaching excellence, we invite nominations that embody the following core criteria:

Student-Centred Teaching: Consistent use of student-centred approaches that cater to the diverse needs of learners, fostering inclusive education practices.
Assessment that drives students’ learning: Consistent use of assessment strategies and feedback methods that support learning and development, encouraging meta-reflection on and facilitating dialogue about learning processes.
Research-informed teaching and learning approaches: Use of research-informed didactical approaches to enhance learning outcomes.
Integration of the international perspective: Incorporation of an international perspective to enrich the learning experience and foster cross-cultural understanding. This may include, but is not limited to, integrating international case studies, collaborating with international partners or experts, facilitating cross-cultural exchanges or discussions, incorporating global issues and perspectives into the curriculum or other activities that prepare future graduates to thrive in a globalised world.
Transferability and adaptability: Development of teaching initiatives that are transferable and adaptable to further educational contexts, promoting scalability and sustainability of the initiative.
Relevance and impact: Reflection by the teacher on the relevance and impact of the project on students‘ learning, demonstrating its significance in enhancing teaching and learning practices.

For more information, click here.

Join the Arqus European Student Assembly 2026

2025-10-24T07:00:39+03:00

Arqus invites students from all its universities to apply for the 5th edition of the European Student Assembly (ESA 2026), which will take place from 20 to 22 April 2026 at the European Parliament in Strasbourg. Applications are open until 2 November at 23:59 CET to students from all nationalities, fields, and levels of study, from the second year of Bachelor’s to PhD.

The European Student Assembly is a grassroots project that gathers each year more than 200 students from different European University Alliances (EUAs) to debate current issues, draft political recommendations for the future of Europe, and advocate them among stakeholders and decision-makers.

From January to April 2026, the selected students will work and debate on 8 topics related to the future of Europe with members of their same panel, to deepen their understanding of their chosen topic and to start drafting policy recommendations.

As part of the programme, they will be responsible for proposing concrete solutions to these challenges, to be implemented by stakeholders at various decision levels. To fulfill this goal, they will meet experts and follow online training on policy drafting and moderation, enabling them to analyse the political and legal context, identify the main challenges raised by the topic, and decide the priorities they wish to deal with.

This several-month project will culminate with a democratic exercise in a deliberative Assembly gathering at the European Parliament in Strasbourg from 20 to 22 April 2026. During 3 days, participants will discuss and finalise their policy recommendations with members of their panel and hear other panels’ recommendations and debates, to end up voting in a plenary session on all the policy recommendations prepared and helping in dissemination activities afterwards. In addition to this, many other activities will be organised for students and the 65 EUAs.

For more information, click here.

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