The session is based on our experience running master-level courses in which diversity is leveraged by assigning multicultural groups of students to work on projects with local companies (community-engaged learning). Over the last five years, we have collected reflections from more than 200 students related to cross-cultural collaboration. Alongside data gathered from interviews with teachers on internationalisation, these insights were used to create a course for educators on “Managing an Intercultural Classroom.”

Darko Pantelic - Jönköping International Business School

This session explores the integration of data-driven decision-making in the context of mobilities at Brno University of Technology. It will cover the entire process of building a data-driven decision-making system, its implementation, and its current state of use. The aim of the session is to demonstrate the importance of having the whole university speak the same language and communicate through data.

Iveta Šimberová - Brno University of Technology, Martin Očko)- Brno University of Technology

University and faculty leadership, international offices, and academic staff strive to increase opportunities for international experiences for students and staff. Mobility options such as Blended Intensive Programmes (BIPs) are expanding with technological and regulatory advancements, and for most universities, strategic partnerships have improved in both quality and quantity. However, how can institutions capitalise on these opportunities in an era of limited human and financial resources? The panel will reflect on the findings of the Monitoring of Internationalisation of Czech Higher Education (MICHE), discussing practical ways in which participating universities and other leading institutions in Europe have designed strategies to ensure all students and staff have the opportunity for international experiences, while also allowing society at large to benefit from these initiatives.

Daniel Casten - MICHE expert, Uwe Brandenburg - MICHE expert, Iva Beránková - Charles University, Zuzana Pechová - Technical University Liberec

We will introduce our cooperation with the University of Maine at Augusta (UMA) in the USA, where KA171 has supported and linked the long-term cooperation between TUL and UMA. UMA focuses on online teaching and educates students from remote locations. Without their physical presence in classes, students save money, making it particularly attractive for those from socially disadvantaged groups. UMA has been sharing its know-how with TUL and providing interconnected teaching using the COIL concept. This project is a great example of how KA171 cooperation can strengthen long-term partnerships.

Katerina Marsikova - Technical university Liberec, Michaela Andelova - Technical university Liberec

In this panel, experts from three higher education institutions (HEIs) and one IT provider will share their unique approaches to the implementation of the Erasmus Without Papers (EWP) initiative. Our panelists represent universities that use the same IT provider; however, each has its distinct EWP strategy. We will explore how collaboration among universities and IT providers enhances the effectiveness of EWP. Learn about joint initiatives to align with EWP standards. We will delve into the history of Erasmus+ paperwork and provide insights into the current landscape. Join us as we envision the future of EWP.

Daniela Slámová - Prague University of Economics and Business, Milan Šorm - IS4U, Ondřej Votinský - Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Tereza Šmídová - Mendel University in Brno

Developing and strengthening relationships between the university and its international degree students and alumni is one of the main priorities for CTU in Prague. Over the past three years, the alumni relations agenda has been completely rethought and integrated into the global communication ecosystem. The aim of the proposed session is to present best practices in developing a modern international alumni relations model that connects communication strategy, tools, services, and various related activities, including digitalisation, networking, and sharing experiences with other universities and professionals.

Oleg Fetisov - Czech Technical University in Prague

The E3UDRES2 European university alliance mission emphasises the development of regions. By bringing together universities of applied sciences, it values practice-oriented education and openness to regional ecosystems, addressing their skills and innovation needs. The presented case of E3UDRES2 will serve as a basis for discussing the alliance’s professional-oriented profile, benefits for students, stakeholder engagement, transformational potential for universities, and various related challenges.

Michal Karpíšek - E³UDRES² (European University Alliance), St. Pölten University of Applied Sciences

The advent of AI is transforming research evaluation by integrating quantitative and qualitative metrics. Traditional metrics, such as citations, are now complemented by AI-driven analyses that evaluate large datasets, predict trends, and identify emerging fields. AI tools can also analyse peer reviews, expert opinions, and social impact, providing nuanced insights. Natural language processing algorithms interpret qualitative data, identifying themes and sentiments. This shift enhances accuracy, reduces bias, and fosters a comprehensive understanding of research quality.

Ladislav Krištoufek - Charles University, Pavel Doleček - Deputy Minister for Science, Research and Innovation of Czech Republic, Hana Voňková - Charles University

The pedagogical professionalism of teachers is essential for promoting global understanding and intercultural dialogue. This makes the internationalisation of teacher education particularly important. The presentation will discuss how internationalisation can support the development of teachers' professional skills and will provide examples of how international and intercultural dimensions can be integrated into teacher education programmes.

Makhabbat Kenzhegaliyeva - Leipzig University

Join Masaryk University and the University of Antwerp as they share different methods of cooperating centrally with faculties and academics to organise summer and winter schools. We will discuss the benefits and constraints of the various models, from the breakdown of responsibilities (recruitment, teaching, activities, accommodation, etc.) to determining their length, target groups, and ECTS versus micro-credentials. We will conclude by looking at future trends and cooperation outside of academia, finishing with a Q&A session.

Erin Anna Huták - Masaryk University, Evelien Peeten - University of Antwerp, Marie Dobešová - Masaryk University

ED-AFFICHE was one of the pilot projects funded to test the criteria initially designed to serve as a benchmark for receiving the European degree label. Led by KU Leuven, the project brought together a total of six European university alliances. This presentation describes the resulting cooperation, which engaged various stakeholders (Ministries of Higher Education, quality assurance agencies, students, and employers), while focusing on the project’s structure and its core results.

Josef Matoušek - Charles University, Lenka Rovná - Charles University

In June 2024, a group of Erasmus+ National Agencies, together with the Academic Cooperation Association, organised a conference on staff mobility in Iceland, providing an opportunity to discuss effective institutional approaches to maximise the value derived from Erasmus+ staff mobility. The event was based on comprehensive research on this topic involving six countries and contributed to building a community of interested higher education institutions. In this panel discussion, we will share the conclusions of the TCA conference in Iceland and focus on best practices from universities.

Márton Beke - Tempus Public Foundation, Jitka Šosová - Academy of Arts, Architecture & Design in Prague, Pavel Býček - Tomas Bata University in Zlín, Richard Pirolt - The University College of Teacher Education of Christian Churches Vienna, Gerhard Volz - Austria's Agency for Education and Internationalisation

The Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degree in European Politics and Society is one of the very few master's degrees in social sciences coordinated by an academic institution in Central and Eastern Europe. This brings unique opportunities and challenges for cooperation with partners in other European regions and beyond. The scope of this presentation is to highlight some of the key issues involved in successfully running such a degree.

Martin Mejstřík - Charles University

The Healthy Campus programme aims to create a thriving university environment by integrating well-being into all aspects of campus life. It assesses universities based on 100 criteria, including physical activity, mental health, nutrition, disease prevention, sustainability, gender equality, and community engagement. Certification helps universities share best practices, improve coordination, and enhance credibility. Charles University is the first in the Czech Republic among 127 universities from 40 countries.

Simona Kostelanská - Charles University, Natálie Wolfová - Charles University

With more than 64 alliances representing over 500 universities, the European University Alliances have become a key topic for higher education development, providing increased opportunities for internationalisation and student development. Although the European University Alliances initiative has a strong student engagement component, students are also invited to be part of the co-creation process of the initiative. In this session, we will explore how the European University Alliances are engaging with their students and how this process can be enhanced in the coming years.

Rita Dias - Erasmus Student Network, Veronika Plchová - Erasmus Student Network Czech Republic

This 30-minute workshop explores the dynamic interplay between education and research, highlighting their mutual enhancement. We will begin with an introduction to the 4EU+ approach, emphasising the added value for PhD candidates, followed by presentations of case studies. Participants will be encouraged to engage in discussions to address challenges and share best practices.

Julie Hubeňáková - Charles University

The European Solidarity Corps allows young people to engage in solidarity activities, build a more inclusive society, address societal and humanitarian challenges, and promote active citizenship in line with EU values and objectives. The workshop is designed for university employees interested in exploring how the university can initiate positive change for the entire community, enrich the university's activities, offer new opportunities to young people, and improve their skills through engagement. Participants will gain information about the programme and experience various non-formal methods. The third role of the university—service to society—includes activities through which universities seek to utilise the knowledge, skills, and experience of the academic community for the common good of their communities. Volunteering plays a substantial and continually growing role among these activities. Masaryk University has established its own volunteer centre, which is quickly expanding the scope of its activities and impact. The presentation will focus on sharing and discussing the experiences gained.

Theodor L. Háva - DZS | Czech National Agency for International Education and Research, Marie-Magdalena Žabková - DZS | Czech National Agency for International Education and Research, Petr Suchý - Masaryk University

This session explores good practices from the "Welcome to Well-Being" workshop series organised by the UP Welcome Office as a support tool for the international community at higher education institutions. It provides comprehensive insights into psychological support through adaptive workshops and their innovative techniques. The latter part of the session focuses on practical application, enabling participants to apply theoretical knowledge and conduct their own workshops at their institutions.

Alena Vyskočilová - Palacký University Olomouc, Pavel Flekač - Palacký University Olomouc

We share our experience of implementing a Management Information System (MIS) within the context of internationalisation at the University of Hradec Králové. The demand for this initiative arose from the need to consolidate data availability and analysis on a single platform, enabling more effective decision-making. We outline the implementation phases and provide examples of the various challenges we encountered. We will introduce the results and functioning of the MIS for the international agenda.

Lenka Badinská - University of Hradec Kralové

The academic environment can be inherently stressful. An imbalanced work-life ratio can lead to greater work frustration or even burnout. At IMG, we aim to be a role model in caring for the mental health of our PhD students. We have made an effort to provide students with several options to address their psychological issues. In academia, the mental well-being of scholars is an essential yet often overlooked aspect. Open communication, direct involvement in administration, and integrating mental health discussions into academic platforms lead to happy and successful PhD students! With this in mind, we reached out to private companies and, drawing on their know-how and years of experience, developed an adaptation plan for PhD candidates at universities. This plan is designed for newly admitted PhD candidates and includes conversations and recommended topics to be discussed between supervisors and their doctoral candidates. UCT Prague has been piloting this new concept for a year and has received extremely positive feedback. We would like to present this new model of PhD candidate support at CZEDUCON.

Eliška Koňaříková - Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Mili Losmanová - University of Chemistry and Technology, Prague

The digital era has completely transformed traditional recruitment tools. Emphasis on speed, accessibility, and user-friendly interfaces has become the new standard. VŠB-TUO has successfully adapted to this era and has experienced a fourfold increase in applications for study programmes in English. Online fairs, study portals, user-friendly websites, and, more recently, AI chatbots are examples of tools that work exceptionally well for us in this new age.

Jakub Němec - Technical University of Ostrava, Zuzana Štrochová - Technical University of Ostrava

A small spark ignites a great flame – from a small project to significant changes at the university. These workshops on wellbeing at Gdańsk University of Technology will explore how to foster resilience in an environment driven by analytical minds. We’ll share insights about initiatives that sparked positive transformations and the steps the university is taking to create a supportive culture for both staff and students. Discover how to build a space that nurtures growth and well-being in both professional and personal spheres. Join us for an inspiring discussion and exchange of experiences!

Anna Modrzejewska - Gdańsk University of Technology, Justyna Sudakowska - Gdańsk University of Technology

Staff Weeks on various topics have been organised in different formats across Europe for more than 10 years, and they have become an integral part of international activities on campus. In this panel discussion, we focus on different approaches to organising Staff Weeks at three Czech universities. Together, we will explore best practices as well as challenges arising from organising such events and their impact on all stakeholders and the university environment in general. Staff Weeks are not only about sharing experiences but also about building bridges between cultures and strengthening relationships among universities.

Gabriela Böhmová - Prague University of Economics and Business, Martin Vašek - Masaryk University, Tereza Šmídová - Mendel University in Brno, Kateřina Prášková - Mendel University in Brno

Sharing experiences with AI-based tools has become popular over the last couple of years. However, are there any non-AI digital tools that can be helpful for academics in their everyday work? In this interactive session, we will explore a variety of such tools that can be used for a broad spectrum of activities common in the academic environment, including learning support provision, collaborative writing, and brainstorming. Participants will be encouraged to explore these tools themselves; digital devices are welcome!

Josef Rebenda - Brno University of Technology

One of the challenges in science and research is the need for working conditions that provide not only a safe environment but also care, well-being, and support for those facing disadvantage. Gender Equality Plans (GEPs) are essential tools for addressing these issues. This presentation will explore the role of GEPs in both the European and Czech research landscapes, along with practical insights from their implementation at Charles University. We will discuss how these plans contribute to fostering equality, diversity, and inclusion within academic institutions.

Iveta Bayerová - Charles University, Gabriela Langhammerová - Institute of Sociology, Czech Academy of Science

The innovative X-Tream Management training course was designed to test and enhance stress management skills in extreme conditions. Organised as a blended intensive programme for foreign students under the Erasmus+ programme, X-Tream Management aims to unlock participants' potential and equip them with the skills to handle crises and take control of their professional and personal lives. This workshop will highlight best practices from the training, including the use of simulated situations to enhance team efficiency and leadership skills.

Jan Orava - NEWTON University, Anna Plechatá Krausová - NEWTON University

The Anti-Bias workshop will be a practically oriented meeting during which we will engage in didactic games focused on the topic of diversity in the classroom and its role in today's world. We will initiate the debate with themes such as Critical Self-Reflection and Identity, Intersectionality, Privilege, and Marginalisation. Another framework for our intensive meeting will be an introduction to the theory of Cultural Humility. We believe that this theory represents a true paradigmatic shift and better reflects the reality of our super-diverse world.

Salim Murad - University of South Bohemia, Patricie Kyslíková - University of South Bohemia

This immersive, interactive session showcases best practices from 11 years of teaching the course "Success Factor Happiness" to graduate students. This unique course emphasises subjective well-being, mental health, and related topics from multidisciplinary happiness research in both work and private life contexts. Attendees will experience firsthand how the course enhances student happiness and success, offering valuable insights for implementing similar initiatives at their institutions.

Christian Schmidkonz - Munich Business School

The aim of this presentation is to share best practices for productive collaboration between universities and indigenous communities in Latin America. Based on authentic recordings from the EU EPSULA project (Educational Portal for Sustainable Cultural Diversity in Latin America), this workshop offers an engaging approach to understanding cultural diversity and plurilingualism in various parts of Ecuador and El Salvador. The workshop includes discussions and activities designed to encourage participants to think critically about their own cultural and linguistic heritage.

Athena Alchazidu - Masaryk University

This combined presentation and workshop will explore the themes of international student adaptation and overcoming culture shock. It will suggest practical ideas on how the culture shock U-curve model can be used to assist students in transitioning to their new study environments, and how to use critical incident exercises to develop intercultural competence. The presenter will draw on his experience of working with international education programmes in the UK, Japan, and China to highlight examples of good practice and will also invite the audience to participate in and critique activities that can be used with students.

Eoin Jordan - University of St Andrews

The proverb 'Stand in someone else's shoes' expresses that those who have not experienced hardships cannot fully understand those who have. This workshop aims to bring to life the experiences of people who are different in some way and not part of the mainstream. It does so through the stories and reactions of specific individuals, as well as through social media and other sources. The workshop is designed for 10 active participants and 2 moderators, or more participants as only observers, but the total number should not exceed 20.

Lucie Tesařová - Jan Evangelista Purkyně University in Ústí nad Labem, Hana Galiová - Jan Evangelista Purkyně University in Ústí nad Labem

University lecturers often face the challenge of having only limited pedagogical training. During this panel, we will discuss how skills, techniques, and experiences from non-formal education can be transferred into higher education to improve the teaching process for both students and lecturers.

Jiří Palounek - DZS | Czech National Agency for International Education and Research