The Technical University of Košice (TUKE) organised a second edition of Ulysseus Summer Institute, this time focusing on the theme of Resilience X-Factor of a City from 16 to 20 June 2025. The aim of the event, intended for PhD students and young researchers, was to enable participants to identify and define the X-factor of the city of Košice, as a combination of unique qualities and characteristics that make it attractive and exceptional, across five themes: 15-Minute City, Green Climate Resilient City, Smart City, Sustainable Economics, Citizen Science and Engagement. The summer school, initiated by the Faculty of Economics at TUKE in cooperation with Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Informatics as well as Faculty of Civil Engineering, welcomed world-renowned experts in urban development to Košice, sparking stimulating discussions and providing valuable insights for the development of Eastern Slovakia’s metropolis.

The summer school was an activity of the European University Ulysseus, organised under the auspices of the Regional Science Association International (RSAI) and prepared in cooperation with partner university: Université Côte d’Azur (UniCA; France). Moreover as such, the activity was a practical outcome of the first joint Ulysseus research group focused on the economy and smart cities.

Esteemed experts such as Carlos Moreno (author of the 15-minute City concept), Peter Nijkamp and Karima Kourtit (Netherlands), Neil Reid (USA), Alexandru Banica (Romania), Luca Zamparini (Italy), and Umut Türk (Turkey) brought the highest level of current and specialised knowledge to the event. Ulysseus was actively represented by researchers Paulo de Moura and Guilhem Lecouteux (UniCA), and a team from the Faculty of Economics at TUKE (Peter Džupka, Miriam Šebová and Lenka Maličká), Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Informatics at TUKE (Erik Kajáti and Ľubomír Urblík) and Faculty of Civil Engineering at TUKE (Martina Zeleňáková and Natália Junáková).

Participants of the Summer School

The summer school hosted a total of 23 PhD students and young researchers from nine universities: 18 PhD students from Ulysseus member universities (USE, UniCA, UniGe) and other partner universities of TUKE (Liverpool John Moores Universiry, UK; University of Pardubice, Czech Republic; Technical university Dresden, Germany; Ion Mincu University of Architecture and Urban Planning Bucharest, Romania; and Kaunas University of Technology, Lithuania). Three participants from Slovakia (Faculty of Economics and Faculty of Mechanical Engineering TUKE) complemented the group of international participants. They came from 4 continents and 11 countries (Cuba, France, Germany, India, Iran, Myanmar, Pakistan, Portugal, Romania, Spain, and Slovakia).

The summer school was organised as a Blended Intensive Programme (BIP), supporting the internationalisation and mobility of students.

Diversified Programme

The programme offered a diverse mix of high-quality lectures, workshops, fieldwork, and practical activities, allowing participants to explore various aspects of urban development in Košice.

Introductory online kick-off meeting introduced the topic and organisation of the following onsite part of the event. The event was officially opened at the TUKE USP TECHNICOM by the vice-rector for science, research and doctoral study, Ivo Petráš and dean of the Faculty of Economics, Michal Šoltés, as well as distinguished guests. Invited experts introduced the summer school theme through lectures.

The first day culminated at Kasárne Kulturpark in an international conference from Leading Minds Series on Urban Development and Innovation, titled Cities as engines of growth and well-being in a fragmented global economy. The conference program featured speakers such as Paul Krugman, Nobel laureate in Economics (USA/online), Carlos Moreno, Peter Nijkamp, Karima Kourtit, and Michal Hladký. The conference was organised by Creative Industry Košice in cooperation with the City of Košice, TUKE, and other partners.

Lectures, workshops but also intensive team work sessions (as part of the Hack the City block) fulfilled the following days taking part mainly in the University Science Park TECHNICOM. Students had the opportunity to consult with invited experts daily during the Meet the Professors block. The programme also included fieldwork: visits to partner companies (Siemens Healthineers, Košice Airport), selected laboratories within the TUKE campus, TUKE Student Dormitories on Jedlíkova street, and a guided tour of the city of Košice.

On the fourth day, during the Bootcamp block, teams finalised their proposals for the X-factors of Košice and attended an innovative lecture by the globally renowned Professor Neil Reid (The Beer Professor) from the University of Toledo (USA) at the Hostinec Brewery.

The week-long efforts culminated on the final day, with teams presenting their findings and proposals. Discussions with experts and invited guests followed the teams’ presentations.

What did participants say about the event?

Victor Marquet-Saget (University of Seville, Spain): “As a PhD Candidate in Architecture, I found fascinating the different approaches that were given to the concept of resilience in the Ulysseus 2025 Summer Institute: “The Resilience X-Factor of a City”. Either by student proposals during our bootcamp projects or by great lecturers such as Carlos Moreno, Karima Kourtit or Paul Krugman among many others, the insights given on such a complex concept were of great help for my research. The whole program was a very complete event where we had the opportunity to learn, but also to work in groups through workshops from which I was part of the “15-minutes university” group, a very insightful concept I was more than happy to be part of. I feel also deeply thankful for the assistance offered to me as a visually impaired student, the organizers and students were always there for anything I needed and even some specialized tools were available to me in order to keep up with any lecture. I am looking forward to the following events!”

Htoo Sunn Thawdar (University of Pardubice, Czechia): “Participating in the TUKE Ulysseus BIP Summer Institute was an eye-opening experience. The program brought together a great mix of lectures, group work, individual meetings with professors, and field activities that helped us to explore the complex challenges facing cities today. We gained insights not only from respected professors and experts but also through meaningful exchanges with fellow PhD students and young researchers from across Europe. Each day was filled with stimulating discussions both in formal sessions and during casual moments spent exploring the beauty of Košice. The city itself became part of the learning process. This experience pushed me to view my own research in new ways and reminded me that learning can be just as much about people and place as it is about theory.”

Nayab Ali (University of Genoa, Italy): „Attending the Ulysseus BIP Summer Institute was a really meaningful experience for me. The program gave us the chance to explore the idea of what makes a city resilient, not just through lectures, but also by going out into the city and learning from real-life examples. I enjoyed working in groups with students from different countries, it helped me see things from new perspectives. The atmosphere was friendly, and the organizers were very supportive throughout the week. Overall, it was a great balance of learning, sharing ideas, and experiencing the culture of Košice

Syed Amir Hashmi (Kaunas University of Technology, Lithuania): „Participating in the Blended Intensive Programme (BIP) at TUKE University, Košice, Slovakia, titled “Resilience X-Factor of a City,” was truly an incredible experience. From the moment we arrived, the program was full of memorable highlights — starting with a guided campus tour where we saw the fascinating doorless lift “Paternoster” for the first time, a symbol of innovation in itself. Throughout the week, we had the opportunity to engage with professionals and researchers from diverse fields who delivered insightful presentations on urban resilience and sustainable city development. Each session offered fresh perspectives and practical solutions that cities can adopt to enhance their resilience to future challenges — environmentally, socially, and economically. One of the major themes of the program was focused on the enhancement of the TUKE campus, not just physically but also intellectually and socially — turning it into a model of sustainability and resilience. The multidisciplinary approach taken by TUKE and its partners made the learning process highly engaging and forward-thinking. As a participant representing Kaunas University of Technology, I felt honoured not only to learn from such an esteemed group of presenters — including some with connections to Nobel-level achievements — but also to contribute actively by presenting in a group setting. This was a valuable platform for both knowledge exchange and personal growth. Beyond the academic experience, the hospitality and organization of the event were truly outstanding. From the welcome dinner to the farewell gathering, everything was thoughtfully arranged, fostering connection among participants and providing a wonderful cultural introduction to Košice. In summary, this BIP program was a perfect blend of education, collaboration, cultural exchange, and innovation. I return to Lithuania with new knowledge, great memories, and stronger academic connections, and I wholeheartedly thank TUKE University and all organizers for making this such a meaningful experience.”

Pouria Motalebi (Liverpool John Moores University, Great Britain):  „The opportunity to participate in the Summer Institute “Exploring the X-Factor of a City” in Košice was an enriching and inspiring experience. The daily “Meet the Professors” sessions were a highlight, offering valuable feedback and advice for my PhD research. Engaging with international experts and peers fostered a collaborative academic environment, and the lectures and workshops provided insightful perspectives on urban challenges. Košice’s vibrant culture and heritage enriched the overall experience, combining academic growth with meaningful cultural exploration. This programme was highly beneficial for both my research and professional development.”

Conclusion and Thanks to Partners and Sponsors

The Summer School “Resilience X-Factor of a City” delivered a wealth of inspiring moments and innovative ideas with the potential to positively impact the university campus and the development of Košice. An intense week, filled with lectures, workshops, fieldwork, and dynamic discussions, transformed Košice into a hub of innovative thinking and international collaboration in urban development.

The final presentations clearly demonstrated that Košice’s “X-factor” lies not only in its rich history and culture, but primarily in its exceptional capacity for adaptation and innovation. The proposals and visions presented by young researchers offered concrete and implementable solutions that can significantly contribute to improving the quality of life on the TUKE campus in connection with the city.

The successful realization of this summer school would not have been possible without the tireless support and effective cooperation among the Technical University of Košice (TUKE), its partner universities (especially within the European University Ulysseus), renowned experts from around the world, and the extensive contributions of sponsors and partners.

We extend our sincere gratitude to everyone who participated in making this event a reality. We are confident that similar initiatives will enable us to further explore and define the key “X-factors” of our city. Especially we thank to event partners and sponsors: The Regional Science Academy (TRSA), RSAI, Creative Industry Košice, VISIT Košice, Cyklokuchyňa Košice and CTP Invest SK, spol. s r.o.

About Ulysseus

The vision of Ulysseus European University for 2030 is to develop an excellency-recognized and internationally attractive open to the world, persons-centred and entrepreneurial European University for the citizens of the future. By doing so, our ambition is to contribute to shape the European Higher Education and Research Areas, and hence the future of Europe.

Ulysseus, one of the 65 alliances of European Universities selected by the European Commission to become the universities of the future, opens up opportunities for students, teachers, and researchers from partner universities for their education, mutual mobilities, and new cutting-edge research projects. The Ulysseus European University was established in 2020, and its current members are the University of Seville (Spain, alliance coordinator), the University of Genoa (Italy), Université Côte d’Azur (Nice, France), Technical University of Košice, MCI | The Entrepreneurial School^® (Innsbruck, Austria), Haaga-Helia University of Applied Sciences (Helsinki, Finland), University of Münster (Germany), and the University of Montenegro (Podgorica, Montenegro).

The Ulysseus European University in Slovakia is supported by resources from the European Union and the Ministry of Education, Research, Development and Youth of the Slovak Republic.

Further information about the Ulysseus European University: www.ulysseus.eu

More information

• The event was co-financed from Erasmus+ programme funds.
• For more information about the event and its outcomes: tuke.sk
• More information on Ulysseus European University: ulysseus.eu

Photo credits: Daniela Surmiková, Katarína Valentová.

Technical University of Košice (TUKE) hosted in February 2025 an inspiring workshop on Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL)—an innovative teaching methodology designed to foster global engagement in education. Organised as an activity of the INTEREST project, the event aimed to enhance the internationalisation of TUKE academic staff. The activity was organised with the financial support of the Ministry of Education, Research, Development, and Youth of the Slovak Republic. 

The workshop was opened with remarks by prof. Ján Piteľ, Vice-rector for International Relations and Mobility, and Natália Vašková, Ph.D., INTEREST Project Manager. As part of TUKE involvement in the Ulysseus European University, the university’s mission and activities were introduced to our guest and the participants by Viliam Fedák, TUKE Project Manager for Ulysseus. 

Delivered by prof. Robert O’Dowd of the University of León (Spain), a leading expert in virtual exchanges, the workshop formed part of TUKE ongoing intercultural communication training—one of the key activities of the INTEREST project. The workshop was designed specifically for TUKE educators, and it provided valuable insights on implementing the COIL methodology into university curricula. Participants explored strategies for fostering global collaboration in education and gained practical tools to engage students in international learning. A total of 23 teachers successfully completed the training. 

The interactive format and hands-on approach showcased the transformative potential of COIL, reinforcing its role in incorporating international cooperation into higher education. By implementing COIL, TUKE is taking a significant step toward strengthening global academic partnerships and providing its students with enriched, cross-cultural learning opportunities. 

Building on this initiative, TUKE remains committed to supporting teachers in bringing COIL into their teaching. This effort is further reinforced through the Ulysseus European University Seed Fund for Teachers Call 2025. This funding opportunity enables teachers to co-design and deliver courses with an international partner, offering financial support for projects across all disciplines until March 2026. 

About the INTEREST Project 

The INTEREST project, managed by Division of International Relations and Mobility at TUKE, is a strategic initiative designed to enhance the internationalisation of TUKE staff. It is supported by the Ministry of Education, Research, Development, and Youth of the Slovak Republic within the initiative aimed at supporting Slovak universities in meeting the goals and objectives arising from the Strategy for the Internationalisation of Higher Education, the Recovery and Resilience Plan of the Slovak Republic, and their strategic goals and objectives. Project activities have a direct link to the vision, mission and specific objectives set out in the Long-term Strategy of the Technical University of Košice as well as in the new Internationalisation Strategy of TUKE.   

The INTEREST project aims to (A) increase the readiness of teachers to engage in teaching in English, (B) prepare staff for the specifics of communicating with foreign students coming from different cultural backgrounds, and (C) strengthen the integration of foreign researchers, university lecturers and students.  

By investing in its educators and fostering a globally connected academic environment, TUKE is reinforcing its commitment to internationalization.  

We look forward to seeing the impact of the COIL initiative as our educators begin applying their newly acquired skills in practice. 

Natália Vašková, PhD. 

Technical University of Košice (TUKE), as a member of the Ulysseus European University, organised a forum of Slovak higher education institutions (HEIs) participating in European University alliances, on the  26 and 27 September 2024. The event was a follow-up to an initial meeting held in April 2024 organised by the Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra and the INVEST European University. University Science Park TECHNICOM, where the forum took place, welcomed more than 45 participants;  eight Slovak HEIs participating in the European Universities, three other partner universities from the region (Pavol Jozef Šafárik University in Košice, Prešov University in Prešov and the University of Veterinary Medicine and Pharmacy in Košice), representatives from the Ministry of Education, Research, Development and Youth of the Slovak Republic (MŠVaM SR), the Slovak Accreditation Agency for Higher Education (SAAVŠ), SAIA and the Slovak Academic Association for International Cooperation (SAAIC).

The forum was opened by the Rector of TUKE Prof. Peter Mésároš, who emphasized the importance of international cooperation, as well as the importance of the involvement of Slovak universities in the alliances of European universities, for the development of Slovak higher education. “Technical University of Košice considers this meeting an important step in deepening international cooperation not only between Slovak universities but also within European universities. As the host of this event, we are proud to have been able to provide a platform for the exchange of experiences, ideas and solutions that will contribute to innovation and progress in the field of higher education in Slovakia. Our participation in the Ulysseus European University opens up new opportunities not only for the academic community of the Technical University, but also for our partners from other universities, together creating new pathways for education and research in a European context.”, said Prof. Mésároš.

The participants at the meeting were also welcomed by the representative of the Ministry of Education and Science of the Slovak Republic, Denis Nedelka, who confirmed the Ministry’s support for the initiative of the European Universities in Slovakia and the participating universities: “The Ministry of Education, Research, Development and Youth of the Slovak Republic appreciates the great interest of Slovak public universities to participate in European University Alliances. We are very pleased that 8 universities are currently members of such alliances and we hope that others will join them soon. We believe that Slovak universities will make the most of their membership in these alliances. The internationalisation of higher education is one of the Ministry’s priorities and we will continue to support activities in this regard.“

The meeting focused on the topics of joint study programmes, the European approach to quality assurance, the activities of European Universities for the promotion of excellent research in Slovakia and the possibilities of involving students in the activities of the alliances. The main programme was complemented by a networking area and a tour of the TUKE campus.

Participating Universities and European University alliances

European University Initiative

European Universities is an initiative of the European Commission that aims to set up deep inter-institutional cooperation between universities across the European Union. Students can earn a degree by combining studies in several countries and thus increase their competitiveness in the labour market.

European Universities are consortia of higher education institutions, strategically brought together to develop and implement coordinated joint activities in higher education, research, innovation and community and societal development. These alliances have different models for systemic, structural and sustainable transnational cooperation that strengthens the quality and performance of higher education across Europe for the benefit of students and staff, while promoting democratic values.

The initiative aims to support 64 alliances by mid-2024, bringing together more than 560 European institutions. In Slovakia, eight higher education institutions are involved in the initiative.

Ulysseus European University

The vision of Ulysseus European University for 2030 is to develop an excellency-recognized and internationally attractive open to the world, persons-centred and entrepreneurial European University for the citizens of the future. By doing so, our ambition is to contribute to shape the European Higher Education and Research Areas, and hence the future of Europe.

Ulysseus Alliance is one of the more than 60 European Universities selected by the European Commission to become the universities of the future. Led by the University of Seville together with seven other universities in Europe: Université Côte d’Azur, France; University of Genoa, Italy; Technical University of Košice, Slovakia; MCI | The Entrepreneurial School^®, Austria; Haaga-Helia University of Applied Sciences, Finland; University of Münster, Germany and University of Montenegro, Montenegro), the project will allow students, researchers and graduates to move freely between universities, carry out internships in companies and start high-impact research projects.

The project Ulysseus European University is funded by the Erasmus+ Programme and the Ministry of Education, Research, Development and Youth of the Slovak Republic.

More information: www.ulysseus.eu

The Technical University of Košice (TUKE) organised a unique summer school Summer Institute: Exploring the X-Factor of a City from 8 to 12 July 2024, aimed at PhD students and young researchers. The event enabled participants to identify and define the X-factor of the city of Košice, as a combination of unique qualities and characteristics that make it attractive and exceptional, across five themes: Smart City, Sustainable City, Prosperous City, Happy City, and Living City. The summer school, initiated by the Faculty of Economics at TUKE, welcomed world-renowned experts in urban development to Košice, sparking stimulating discussions and providing valuable insights for the development of Eastern Slovakia’s metropolis.

The summer school was an activity of the European University Ulysseus, organised under the auspices of the Regional Science Association International (RSAI) and prepared in cooperation with partner universities: University of Seville (USE; Spain), Université Côte d’Azur (UniCA; France), and University of Genoa (UniGe; Italy). Collaboration with the city of Košice and its municipal organisations, whose experts were available for consultations and guided tours throughout the city, was also very significant feature of the event. Moreover as such, the activity was a practical outcome of the first joint Ulysseus research group focused on the economy and smart cities.

Esteemed experts such as Carlos Moreno (author of the 15-minute City concept) and Catherine Gall (France), Peter Nijkamp and Karima Kourtit (Netherlands), Neil Reid (USA), and Umut Türk (Turkey). Ulysseus was actively represented by researchers Pedro Palos (USE), Alessio Tei and Claudio Ferrari (UniGe), Paulo Moura (UniCA), and a team from the Faculty of Economics at TUKE (Oto Hudec, Peter Džupka, Miriam Šebová, Lenka Maličká, and Tomáš Želinský) brought the highest level of current and specialised knowledge to the event.

Participants of the Summer School

The summer school hosted a total of 29 PhD students and young researchers from eight universities: 18 PhD students from Ulysseus member universities (USE, UniCA, UniGe) and other partner universities of TUKE (University of Pardubice, Czech Republic; Eötvös Loránd University, Hungary; and Kaunas University of Technology, Lithuania). Eleven participants from Slovakia (TUKE, Pavol Jozef Šafárik University in Košice, Institute for Climate and Development, and Trenčín 2026 European Capital of Culture) complemented the group of international participants. They came from 4 continents and 12 countries (Bangladesh, Chile, Ghana, India, Iran, Italy, Pakistan, Palestine, Spain, Syria, Ukraine, and Slovakia).

The summer school was organised as a Blended Intensive Programme (BIP), supporting the internationalisation and mobility of students.

Diversified Programme

The programme offered a diverse mix of high-quality lectures, workshops, fieldwork, and practical activities, allowing participants to explore various aspects of urban development in Košice.

Introductory online kick-off meeting introduced the topic and organisation of the following onsite part of the event.

The event was officially opened at the TUKE rectorate attended by the university management and distinguished guests who gave their keynote presentations. The city of Košice showed great respect and support for the event, with keynote speakers being officially received at the Old Town Hall by Vice Mayor Marcel Gibóda. The first day culminated at Kasárne Kulturpark in an evening conference on the 15-minute city concept, featuring speakers like Carlos Moreno, Peter Nijkamp, Catherine Gall, and Karima Kourtit. The conference was organised by Creative Industry Košice in cooperation with the Košice Self-governing Region, the City of Košice, TUKE, and other partners.

Lectures, workshops but also intensive team work sessions (as part of the Hack the City block) fulfilled the following days taking part mainly in the University Science Park TECHNICOM. Students had the opportunity to consult with invited experts daily during the Meet the Professors block. The programme also included fieldwork: city and green space tours, visits to the Košice City Hall, ANTIK Telecom’s service centre, IDS Východ, Stará Sladovňa, and a hike to the Hradová lookout tower.

On the fourth day, during the Bootcamp block, teams finalised their proposals for the X-factors of Košice and attended an innovative lecture by the globally renowned Professor Neil Reid (The Beer Professor) from the University of Toledo (USA) at the Hostinec Brewery.

The week-long efforts culminated on the final day, with teams presenting their findings and proposals. Discussions with experts and invited guests followed the teams’ presentations. Participants’ work continues as they refine and complete their policy studies based on feedback from the experts during the summer months.

What did participants say about the event?

María Lozano (University of Seville): The summer institute has been an amazing opportunity to learn about the research that renowned academics are conducting in the city to propose ways of designing inclusive and accessible spaces. In this experience, different working methodologies have been put together, and the different meetings throughout the week have enabled close and direct contact between all participants, enhancing new networks and favouring future research with a multidisciplinary procedure. In addition, the approach of the workshop has been eminently practical, and we have been able to experience the city of Kosice first-hand to learn from its numerous qualities and propose solutions to meet the X-Factor of a city.

Ola Qasseer (ELTE Budapest): The opportunity to participate in the summer institute “Exploring the X-Factor of a City” in Košice has been an incredibly enriching experience. Combining theoretical knowledge with real-life urban experiments allowed us to deeply understand the city’s planning challenges and solutions. One of the highlights was engaging with renowned scholars who provided valuable insights, mentorship, and networking opportunities. Additionally, the location in Košice, with its rich history and vibrant culture, offered a great chance to explore the city’s cultural heritage, engage with the local community, and enjoy social activities. It was a fantastic experience for me as a PhD student on both academic and professional levels.

Pedro Coneja (University of Seville): My experience at the Factor of a City program on the Ulysseus campus was incredibly enriching. The interactive sessions and keynote lectures by renowned scholars like Peter Nijkamp and Carlos Moreno provided profound insights into urban dynamics and the integration of big data. Furthermore, my participation at Ulysseus campus has been profoundly impactful, particularly due to the opportunity for in-person engagement with the city. This firsthand experience has been invaluable for my research, allowing me to observe urban dynamics directly and gain practical insights that go beyond theoretical understanding.

Jawad Ullah Jan (University of Genoa): As part of my PhD journey, I’ve attended some summer schools, but the one organised by TUKE was extraordinary. The commitment and punctuality of the organisers was superb. From group discussions and lectures to interactive workshops, every activity was aimed at developing our soft skills and academic progression. “Meeting the professors” sessions provided us the opportunity to get new ideas and energy from the esteemed professors from around the world.

Besides academics, a wide array of recreational activities like city tour, visiting restaurants and parks kept us entertained and motivated. These activities were not just enjoyable but also facilitated teamwork and social interaction.

Overall, this summer school was a perfect combination of education and fun, blessing us with valuable knowledge, enhanced confidence, and wonderful memories for the rest of our lives 😊.

Conclusion and Thanks to Partners and Sponsors

The summer school Exploring the X-Factor of a City brought countless inspirational moments and groundbreaking ideas that can have a positive impact on the development of Košice. A week full of lectures, workshops, fieldwork, and lively discussions transformed Košice into an epicentre of innovative thinking and international collaboration in urban development.

The final presentations revealed that the X-factor of Košice lies not only in its history and culture but also in its ability to adapt and innovate. The proposals and visions of young researchers offered real solutions that can contribute to improving the quality of life in the city.

The success of this summer school would not have been possible without the exceptional support and continuous cooperation between TUKE, its partner universities (especially within the Ulysseus European University), experts from around the world, and numerous sponsors and partners.

We are deeply grateful to all who contributed to the realisation of this event and look forward to future similar initiatives that will allow us to continue exploring and defining the X-factors of our city. Especially we thank to event partners and sponsors: The Regional Science Academy (TRSA), RSAI, The City of Košice, Creative Industry Košice, VISIT Košice, Hotel Crystal, Slovak – French University Institute (SFUI), Antik Telecom and KOSIT.

About Ulysseus

The vision of Ulysseus European University for 2030 is to develop an excellency-recognized and internationally attractive open to the world, persons-centred and entrepreneurial European University for the citizens of the future. By doing so, our ambition is to contribute to shape the European Higher Education and Research Areas, and hence the future of Europe.

Ulysseus alliance is one of the 50 European Universities selected by the European Commission to become the universities of the future. Led by the University of Seville together with seven other universities in Europe: Université Côte d’Azur, France; University of Genoa, Italy; Technical University of Košice, Slovakia; MCI | The Entrepreneurial School^®, Austria; Haaga-Helia University of Applied Sciences, Finland; University of Münster, Germany and University of Montenegro, Montenegro), the project will allow students, researchers and graduates to move freely between universities, carry out internships in companies and start high-impact research projects.

More information

• The event was co-financed from Erasmus+ programme funds.
• For more information about the event and its outcomes: tuke.sk
• More information on Ulysseus European University: ulysseus.eu

Photo credits: Tomáš Pitka, Daniela Surmiková, Jakub Valent, Katarína Valentová.

Thursday, May 25, 2023From 09:00 to 13:00

More at amcham.sk.

Agenda:

9.00-9.30 – Opening remarks 

• Katarína Miňová, AmCham Slovakia
• Matúš Draganovský, SUVko Coaching

9.30-12.00 – Design Thinkging Process in Working Groups/Topical Tables

The discussion will be divided into six topical tables:

1. HUMAN CAPITAL OF EASTERN SLOVAKIA (Eva Belková)
2. ATTRACTIVITY&VISIBILITY OF EASTERN SLOVAKIA (Pavol Mirossay)
3. INFRASTRUCTURE OF EASTERN SLOVAKIA (Miriam Šebová)
4. HEALTHCARE IN EASTERN SLOVAKIA (Roman Žitný)
5. MANUFACTURING IN EASTERN SLOVAKIA (Juraj Sabol)
6. INNOVATION ECOSYSTEM OF EASTERN SLOVAKIA (Peter Kolesár)

 12.00-13.00 – Final Phase

• Team Summaries
• Closing Remarks – “Riadenie zmeny” by Jozef Ondáš
• Call to Action
• Q&A

Our facilitated roundtable discussions will focus on the current state of Eastern Slovakia’s potential, and we can’t wait to hear your thoughts and ideas. It will be a fantastic opportunity to connect with others who share your passion for the region, and to explore new avenues of collaboration and growth. Since we consider you to be valuable part of creating this roadmap of Eastern Slovakia’s potential, we would love to have you join us for this engaging and inspiring event adressing main challenges and uncovering hidden potential of Eastern Slovakia in different sectors.

Within the framework of the cooperation within the Ulysseus European University, another of the programme activities designed for students and focused on segments of the cultural and creative industries (CCI) took place.

The University of Genoa (UniGe) has prepared the training programme “Entrepreneurship and Innovative Business Models for the Cultural and Creative Industry” (November 2022 – January 2023) for the Ulysseus partner universities. The Technical University of Košice (TUKE) and other partners (University of Applied Sciences The Hague-Helia, HH and University of Seville, USE) also participated in its preparation and organisation. The involvement of TUKE in this programme proved to be crucial, especially in terms of the creative and artistic background of the Faculty of Arts of TUKE (FU). Equally important was the expertise in the field of regional sciences and management, with an emphasis on the development of creative industries, provided by the Faculty of Economics of TUKE (EkF). Equally important was also the active personal participation of a group of students and teachers from both participating faculties.

The multi-week Erasmus+ Blended Intensive Programme (BIP) focused on cooperation in areas that support or stimulate the CCI space, especially in terms of expanding the educational or scientific research base with overlaps into creative practice. Students from the Ulysseus partner universities participated in the programme, including a group of nine students from the FU and EkF.

The programme consisted of an online and a physical component. The online part included topics such as “Measuring Impact in the Cultural Sector” and “Cultural Participation and Audience Development” (Assoc. Prof. Miriam Šebová, PhD., EkF). The physical part of the programme took place on 12-16 December 2022 at the University of Genoa. TUKE was represented by a team of teachers from the Faculty of Arts, who covered key topics such as “Graphic Design and Data Visualisation” (Eva Jenčuráková, ArtD.), “Creative Intermedia Approaches for Data Visualisation” (Martin Kudla, ArtD.) and “Media Art Strategies, Hybrid Projects and Infosthetics” (Assoc. Prof. Richard Kitta, ArtD.).

What do the participants say about the training programme?

Within the BIP programme, TUKE students were able to get familiar with several basic as well as innovative practices in direct confrontation with experts from various fields. The effectiveness, benefit and importance of the project are also confirmed by the reactions and observations of individual participants:

• “… lots of suggestions, people, and topics, lots of useful information and new contacts. New topics in the cultural and creative field are, for us artists, important.” (Kristína Roxerová, student FU)
• “… it is beneficial to learn more about the “entrepreneurial” and “innovative” side of the creative industry – just from an economic point of view. I am glad that this programme gave me an insight into this world.” (Rachel Jutka, student FU)
• “… I already have some experience with business in the creative industry, yet I gained a lot of new information. Interdisciplinary collaborations could work more within our university.” (Mgr. art. Patrik Knoblich, PhD. student, FU)

The economic and entrepreneurial dimension of creative projects, including the author’s technology transfer, is seen as very stimulating and relevant from an educational perspective for the field of CCI. The event at UniGe, coordinated by Ulysseus Innovation Hub for Tourism, Arts & Heritage, was characterised by such educational strategy:

• “… data processing, the production of statistics in the field of culture or lectures on art itself and its use in practice, as well as working in teams – all of this has broadened my horizons considerably.” (Dominik Jirásek, student EkF)
• “… new knowledge and inspiring people. A useful experience was working in a team with a person with an economic background from another country, which I can transfer to my future projects.” (Karin Kolesárová, student EkF)
• “… to stand your place in the art market in global competition requires a focused approach and a business plan. The BIP mobility in Genoa provided us with valuable knowledge in this area.” (Štefánia Suchodolinská, student FU)

The fact that the ambitions and goals of the BIP have been really met is evidenced not only by the original CCI-themed team deliverables, but also by other immediate reactions of the participating students and teachers:   

• “… such projects make sense, especially for us artists – to broaden our knowledge, improve our language skills and also to get to know another culture. I took away know-how from my stay that you don’t just stumble upon.” (Anna Božiková, student FU)
• “… valuable information from foreign experts and a different approach to education. We got to know different professionals who work in the cultural and creative industries.” (Tamara Mišagová, student FU)
• “… further experience and broadening my horizons in the field of CCI. We take away not only experiences, but also skills and knowledge that we can use in artistic creation or teaching practice.” (Mgr. art. Eva Jenčuráková, ArtD., teacher, FU)

This training program resulted in several innovative models as well as theoretical and methodological materials that are designed for implementation within selected creative industries. At the same time, the programme highlights the necessity of linking different fields of education and research, which can initiate innovative approaches and new original solutions.

About Ulysseus

Ulysseus is one of the 44 European Universities selected by the European Commission to become the universities of the future. Led by the University of Seville together with five other universities in Europe (the University of Genoa, Italy; Université Côte d’Azur, France; the Technical University of Košice, Slovakia; MCI | The Entrepreneurial School^®, Austria; and Haaga-Helia University of Applied Sciences, Finland), the project will allow students, researchers and graduates to move freely between universities, carry out internships in companies and start high-impact research projects. The alliance is being expanded by two new university partners: University of Münster (Germany) a University of Montenegro (Montenegro).

More information: www.ulysseus.eu

We thank to Anna Božiková for providing us with the photos from the event.