valuEU (NAWA WUE) & EUNICE European University

Official alliance website: https://eunice-university.eu/

European University for Customized Education (EUNICE) is an alliance of European universities, created in 2020, which focuses on the transformation of higher education by creating synergy, networking between different European regions and playing a key role in strengthening the positions of these regions by making space for innovations based on international cooperation and competent development of globally competent specialists who are ready to drive local growth.

Thanks to the efforts made by the Vice-Rector for Research and Science, Professor Doctor (with habilitation) Marcin Moniuszko, the Medical University of Białystok has obtained the status of an associated partner of the EUNICE alliance. Thanks to this status, MUB has the possibility of collaboration with universities to create the EUNICE alliance in the field of teaching theory and research. As emphasized in the letter of intent regarding cooperation between MUB and the EUNICE alliance, cooperation may include, among others, mobility, creating research teams, education based on research, sharing good practices in the area of managing and designing shared tools, and different activities. Cooperation will mostly focus on aspects concerning medicine and health protection, among others:

1. Artificial Intelligence in the field of medicine and the systems of health care(regarding tumors, cardiovascular diseases, infectious diseases, and others). Using genomics, proteomics, metabolomics, and other "omics" technologies, as well as big data from university hospitals and unique cohort studies conducted by MUB.
2. Prevention of diseases and personalized medicine, including the study of the impact of the environment, social status, economy, lifestyle, diet on health, and health protection policy.
3. Materials used in medical products, nanotechnology, and virtual reality.

The EUNICE alliance’s goals for 2023-2027 include, among others: increasing the joint academic offer within the alliance, including the coherence of academic and administrative processes at EUNICE universities, or facilitating experience regarding mobility, exchange of practices, and promoting EUNICE values.

The main scientific goal is to develop research connections between universities, businesses, and the community. The goal is to be achieved by promoting international networks, facilitating direct usage of knowledge from EUNICE universities to strengthen social, economic, environmental, and cultural development. Additionally, it is expected to be engaging students in transnational academic activities to reduce the gap between education and research, assisting new companies in development of innovation and international growth, aiding multilateral cooperation projects regarding “Horizon Europe” and other international research that connect basic research with partners on a high level of technical readiness, leading to future innovation in Europe.

Currently, the alliance, whose leader is Poznan University of Technology, is formed of 10 universities from different EU countries. The list of full partners with a short description is placed below.

1. Poznan University of Technology (Leader)

Poznan University of Technology (PUT) is one of the oldest and most important technical universities in Poland. Accommodating 16,000 students, including 500 foreign students from 36 countries. PUT consists of 9 departments. The research infrastructure includes 320 laboratories. PUT conducts research mainly in the field of technology (technical computer science and telecommunications, materials and civil engineering, geodesy and transportation, chemical sciences). More about research on PUT on the university’s webpage. The university operates the European Center for Bioinformatics and Genomics, which has fully equipped, modern laboratories intended for experimental research in vitro and silico, and data analysis on a large scale. Poznan University of Technology draws a lot of attention to cooperation with business, starting with the implementation of the education process in cooperation with companies by providing external research services and technology transfer.

2. University of Cantabria

The University of Cantabria is a public university located in Santander, in the province of Cantabria in Spain. The university offers studies in 14 faculties and schools, including the School of Medicine, the School of Nursing, School of Natural Sciences. Currently, the university has 14,205 students. Search for international perfection in education, research, and transfer of knowledge comprises four strategic fields of specialization, including Biomedicine and biotechnology. More information about the research area is available on the university’s site.

3. University of Catania

The University of Catania was established in 1434, which makes it one of the oldest in Italy. The university consists of 17 faculties, including Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences; Clinical and Experimental Medicine; Pharmaceutical and Health Sciences; General Surgery; Medical Sciences, Surgery, and Advanced Technologies. The institute is actively engaged in a variety of research fields that encompass natural sciences, social sciences, engineering, medicine, and other fields. Detailed information about the national and international projects in the field of medicine and natural sciences can be found on the university’s site.

4. Polytechnic University Hauts-De-France

Polytechnic University Hauts-De-France (UPHF) is a French public university with its headquarters in Valenciennes. Approximately 14,500 are enrolled in the university, and the number encompasses 1,500 foreign students. The institute’s research is divided into 4 main laboratories. UPHF’s strategy of research and innovation is specified by 3 strategic centers dealing with the main social challenges in line with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, the Horizon Europe programme, and the regional research and innovation strategy for smart specialization:

"Health and Care of the Future"

"City, Mobility and Territory of the Future"

"The industry of the future, eco-responsible materials and related processes."

More information about the research is available on the university’s site

5. Karlstad University

Karlstad University is a public institution located in Karlstad. Current enrollment amounts to 18,500 students. The university consists of 3 faculties: the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, the Faculty of Health, Science and Technology, Faculty of Teacher Education. One of the main areas of scientific research at the university is health (mainly public health). The university has a multidisciplinary research center for the mental health of children and adolescents, where researchers from the fields of psychology, public health, social work, and nursing work. (The Centre for Research on the Mental Health and Life Circumstances of Children and Youth ).

6. University of Mons

University of Mons, also known as UMONS, is a Belgian institute located in Mons(Wallonia) that enrolls 10,000 students, 25% of whom are international students from 73 countries. UMONS offers more than 100 courses in different fields in 7 departments (including the Department of Medicine and Pharmacy) and 3 schools. Research is led by 900 scientists and 500 doctoral students. The university has 10 research institutes, including the Institute for Biosciences and the Institute for Health Sciences and Technology, which conducts research on stress and emotions, brain diseases, and cancer.

More information about the research is available on the UMONS website.

7. University of the Peloponnese

University of the Peloponnese (UoP) is a Greek university established in 2000 that has 25,310 students. The university is made up of 9 schools, including the School of Health Sciences, which consists of the Departments of Nursing, Physiotherapy, Speech Therapy, Nutrition, and Dietetics. UoP conducts over 200 research projects, 95 of which are conducted with international cooperation(among others as a part of Horizon 2020, Erasmus+, INTERREG). More information about grants and research is available on the UoP website.

8. Brandenburg University of Technology Cottbus – Senftenberg

Brandenburg University of Technology Cottbus – Senftenberg (BTU) is a German technical university. BTU consists of 6 main departments and the number of students reaches 6,800 ( 40% of which are international students from 125 countries. BTU draws a lot of attention to cooperation with industries and international partnerships. The university conducts research in many fields, including health science, natural sciences, and artificial intelligence.

9. University of Vaasa

The University of Vaasa is an interdisciplinary Finnish university located in Vaasa. The university enrolls over 5000 students. Strategic fields of research are management, energy, sustainable research, financing, and making economic decisions. More about the research and projects being conducted on the university website.

10. Polytechnic Institute of Viseu

Polytechnic Institute of Viseu (IPV) is the first and only public university in the region of Viseu ( Portugal) that has over 5000 students. The university consists of 5 main departments, including the Health School in Viseu. The school offers numerous medical majors, particularly in nursing, physical therapy, and midwifery. This Portuguese university carries out numerous projects, including international ones, which are listed in detail on the university’s website.