The ‘Joint and Double Programmes in Europe’ conference brought together representatives from 17 countries, along with participants from the European Commission, embassies, universities and accreditation bodies, to discuss the future of transnational education in Europe.
During the conference, the Polish Foundation for the Development of the Education System (FRSE), organiser of the event, presented ten awards recognising the most inspiring and innovative educational initiatives developed through international cooperation. ECIU Director, Niall Power collected the award on behalf of ECIU for the development of the Engage platform, described by the organisers as 'ECIU University’s pathway to inclusive and modern learning in flexible formats.'
As part of the conference programme, ECIU Director also participated as a panellist in the session 'Micro-credentials – Macro-challenges – The role of joint educational initiatives', contributing to discussions on how collaborative educational models can respond to current and future challenges in European higher education.
The 'Co-Create to Educate: International Collaboration Award' received by ECIU underlines the importance of international partnerships in shaping the European Education Area and confirms ECIU’s strong position as a leader in innovative, mission-driven cooperation across borders.
More information about the conference can be accessed here, while photos from the event can be found here.
Online publication: Joint and Double Programmes in Europe. Conference summary
This recently published conference summary highlights the evolving landscape of joint and double programmes in Europe, illustrating how they are becoming essential tools for higher education’s response to globalisation and the Bologna Process challenges, rather than being seen as experimental initiatives. It offers insights into legal, institutional, and pedagogical dimensions of transnational cooperation, providing valuable takeaways for universities, policymakers, and international education stakeholders.
In particular, Session IX of the conference delved into the opportunities and challenges of micro-credentials and collaborative educational models, a topic where ECIU Director Niall Powers contributed to the discussion on innovative pathways in joint learning. The publication also features the Co-Create to Educate: International Collaboration Award, underlining its role in recognising and inspiring impactful international cooperation in higher education.
