SUA is the leader of the INVEST alliance of seven European universities

The INVEST project entered the second phase. Its goal is the development of joint educational and research study programs, multilingual education, as well as the support of European mobility.

INVEST is a unique alliance of European universities that come together with the idea of strengthening the interconnection between education, research and innovation. The Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra (SUA) leads this type of consortium as the only one in Slovakia. In addition to SUA, six universities from Greece, Finland, Bulgaria, France, Italy and Spain are involved in the project. The goal is to create a joint modern multinational university providing innovative education at all levels of study.

The current alliance of European universities follows on from the project that was implemented from 2019 to 2023. In addition to SUA, the first alliance included universities from Greece, Finland, Bulgaria and the Netherlands, all of which are continuing in the new project except for the Dutch university. At the same time, however, educational institutions from France, Italy and Spain were added. "The expansion by three partner universities in the very first year of operation proves that Aliancia INVEST has a strong background and is ready to integrate new partner universities," SUA vice-rector for strategic development and internationalization Lucia Palšová said. The new project started on November 1, 2023 and will last until 2027.

In 2023, INVEST brought a lot of activities and tangible results. Among other things, it was possible to prepare thirteen international study programs, three summer schools, three winter schools, or six so-called Living Labs.

In the initial months of the project, SUA developed a joint accreditation framework with partner institutions with the aim of identifying common features as well as differences in the accreditation systems in partner countries. Based on the identified differences and after consultation with the European Commission, the partners managed to prepare ten bachelor's specializations and three master's programs in which students of various fields can participate.

To support the development of joint study programs, it was possible to develop a joint INVEST pedagogy, which includes modern and innovative teaching strategies. The Virtual Campus was also created as an essential tool that allows students to set up their studies and informs about all important dates and events within the project. The Living Labs concept connects actors from the field of research and education (universities), businesses/non-governmental organizations and authorities at the national, regional or local level. It provides students with the opportunity to use the acquired knowledge in specific situations and come up with solutions that can benefit society.

Winter and summer schools have proven to be good practice examples of learning, sharing ideas and experiences, teamwork and building strong partnerships. Three summer and three winter INVEST schools were implemented in the form of 10-day mobility of students from all partner institutions. Last year, for example, the students of SUA participated in a winter school called "Introduction to nature-friendly agriculture" at the Van Haal Larenstien University in Leeuwarden, the Netherlands.

The INVEST development project strengthened the position of the Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra in the European higher education environment. The university not only fulfilled its long-term goal in the field of education and internationalization, but by cooperating with partner institutions, it moved its possibilities in the field of education, research and the introduction of innovations a step forward.

Universities involved in the INVEST Alliance:

• Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra (Slovakia)
• University of Agriculture and Rural Development (Bulgaria)
• University of Thessaly (Greece)
• University of Applied Sciences, Karelia (Finland)
• University of Reims Champagne-Ardenne (France)
• University of Milan - Biocca (Italy)
• University of Cordoba (Spain)

Previous Next 1 / 11