European Universities and Collaboration with High Schools

This digital roundtable on policy development brings together university representatives, partner schools and European university alliances to explore how collaboration between schools and higher education can be strengthened, developed and embedded across regions and networks.

The session highlights good practices, challenges and success factors from ongoing collaborative projects, and discusses both the role of European values and the added value that transnational alliances can provide.

Through keynote contributions, presentations, and panel reflections, participants will gain insight into how joint initiatives can support young people, address regional needs and contribute to a broader European educational landscape.

10:00 - 10:05 | Welcome and Introduction

Moderator: Prof.István Tarrósy, Director International Centre, University of Pécs

10:05 - 10:20 | Opening keynote: The Relevance of Schools-HE-Cooperation: European Collaboration and Co-Creation Projects Involving Young People and High Schools - Why is it Important?  

•  Dr.Mette Bunting, Professor, Faculty of Humanities, Sports and Education sciences, University of South-Eastern Norway 

10:20 - 11:15 | Presentation of Cases: From Local to Transnational?

4 concrete university – school cooperation projects. Best cases, gaps, needs and regional challenges.

1. UJ1 and High-School "Politècnic" in Castellón: Cultural projects involving students and citizens: Dr. Carmen Lázaro, Vice-rector for Culture, Languages and Society, Ana María Mas, Arts Department in the Politècnic secondary school, Ángel Portolés, University Extension Program, UJI
2. Dr. Szabolcs Zalay, Director and Gabriella Pénzeli, Teacher, Klára Leőwey High School, Pècs, collaboration with the University of Pécs
3. Prof. Giorgia De Gioannis: the UNICA-STEM project. This inclusive and interdisciplinary initiative enhancing student skills and preventing school dropout, and Prof. Massimo Barbaro: the POT project – strengthen interdisciplinary collaboration, develop new teaching practices, and offer younger students a more integrated and engaging learning experience.
4. Dr. Katharina Delius, post. doc at the Department of British and American Studies, University of Potsdam, design-based research to support the evidence-based and quality-oriented development and further refinement of virtual exchange formats aimed at fostering communicative, intercultural and digital competences in English language teaching, in collaboration with high school teachers.

11:15 - 11:30 | Insights from UNITE! Alliance: Bridging the Gap - Insights from a European University Alliance that already has implemented collaboration with High Schools on Alliance Level. Possibilities for Long-Term-Collaboration Opportunities for the Future and the Added Value as an Alliance.

Tools and practices to engage high-school students, support orientation, and create pathways towards higher education in STEM and innovation fields

11:30 - 11:50 | Panel Feedbacks

Moderator: Prof. István Tarrósy, director International centre, University of Pécs

• Vincent Fertey, Regional Academic Delegate for the link between Secondary School and Higher Education (Brittany Academic Region, Ministry of National Education, Youth and Sports), University of Rennes
• Arnaud Tremolieres, President of the EDUC Student Board, University of Paris-Nanterre 
• Dr. Julius Erdmann, Advisor for Education Research Center for Teacher Training and Education Research, University of Potsdam

11:50 - 12:00 | Wrap-up and Closing: Recommendations for Action

• Moderator: Prof. István Tarrósy, director International centre, University of Pécs
• Dr. Mette Bunting - Professor and project lead - University of South-Eastern Norway