Prof. Joan Guàrdia: We can better address societal challenges through the construction of a strong European University

Last 14 April 2021 took place the Conference “European Universities: pioneering transformation in education, research and innovation”. The aim of the event was to discuss main challenges on the agenda of the European Universities Initiative, including the transformation potential of these transnational alliances, how the European Universities can contribute to the goals of creating a green, digital and inclusive society as well as provide the future and advanced skills for societal transformation.

Prof. Joan Guàrdia, Rector of the University of Barcelona (CHARM-EU coordinator) participated in the panel “Future and advanced skills for societal transformation” in which he emphasized that the Master’s in Global Challenges for Sustainability is a proof of concept for showcasing a curriculum design, competency framework and challenge driven methodology and piloting the innovative CHARM-EU governance model. He also added that this will help the alliance to enable to refine this new model and scale-up to other programmes at all levels, including bachelors, masters and PhD programmes and micro-credentials. Prof. Joan Guàrdia also remarked that universities and society (including business and citizens) will be able to better address societal challenges through the construction of a strong European University alliance.  

This international event brought together representatives from European Universities, including Rectors, Presidents and Coordinators, but also students, researchers and academic staff, with representatives from the European Commission and the Member States as well as relevant stakeholders from business and society.

For more information about the event, please access: https://euconference.ipleiria.pt/