In the beginning of December, academic directors from social work programs across the E³UDRES² alliance gathered at USTP – University of Applied Sciences St. Pölten for a focused working meeting titled “The Social connectEUrs.” Moderated by Griet t'Servranckx (UCLL UAS) and Andrea Pilgerstorfer (USTP), the session aimed to explore future opportunities for cooperation and to define shared priorities for advancing social work education within the alliance.
Throughout the productive discussions, a clear collective mission emerged: To deepen collaboration in social work, strengthen mobility for students and staff, and develop innovative learning formats that reflect the diverse realities of social challenges across Europe. The group identified six central directions that will guide the next steps. These include expanding staff exchange through Blended Intensive Programs, developing online Circle Courses in which one theme is explored from various cultural and academic perspectives, and jointly shaping study programs that grow from individual courses to full modules and evolve into a joint master’s degree.
Collaborative formats & a shared vision
The participants also emphasized the importance of contributing more content to the digital E³UDRES² Arena, bringing Circle Courses and other collaborative formats into the alliance’s innovation ecosystem. Strengthening student exchange remains another key priority, ensuring that international and intercultural learning experiences become a natural part of social work education. Additionally, UCLL extended an invitation to collaborate within its Social Tech initiatives, opening possibilities for future BIP formats that combine technological and social work approaches.
The meeting was marked by openness, engagement, and a shared vision for shaping the future of social work education in an interconnected Europe. With the identified priorities, the Social connectEUrs have laid a strong foundation for continued cooperation — one that aims to empower students, enrich academic programs, and foster innovative responses to social challenges across the E³UDRES² network.
Links
➝ USTP
➝ UCLL UAS
Article created by: USTP
