Cooperation Training in Higher Education: “Promoting Mobilities in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) in Higher Education” (14–16 May 2025, Vienna, Austria)
From 14 to 16 May 2025, the team of the National Erasmus+ Office – Ukraine, together with a delegation of representatives from Ukrainian universities, took part in the training event “Promoting Mobilities in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) in Higher Education” held in Vienna, Austria. The event was organised by the Austrian National Erasmus+ Agency in cooperation with the national agencies of Portugal and Estonia.
The training brought together more than 150 participants from across Europe, including representatives of universities, faculties, and international relations offices working in the STEM field. The participants represented both public and private higher education institutions implementing or preparing to implement international academic mobility projects, capacity-building initiatives, and institutional partnerships in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
The aim of the event was to provide a platform for sharing experience in STEM education, showcasing best practices in the implementation of academic mobility and international cooperation within the EU’s Erasmus+ Programme in the higher education sector. Participants had the opportunity to join interactive discussions, receive practical advice from international experts, and establish professional connections with peers from other countries.
Opening remarks were delivered by Gerhard VOLZ, representing OeAD – Austria’s Agency for Education and Internationalisation, and Eva-Maria HOLZLEITNER, Austrian Federal Minister of Women, Science and Research with a welcome video.
During the first session devoted to successful stories and best practices, Sille PIHLAK, Estonian Academy of Arts STEAM Mobility in the Polytechnic of Setúbal, and José LUIS SOUSA, Polytechnic University of Setúbal, presented good practice of promoting and implementing STEM mobilities from Estonia & Portugal. Margit DIRNBERGER, OeAD – Austria’s Agency for Education and Internationalisation, provided detailed information about blended Intensive Programmes as an opportunity for STEM mobility. Thomas GAMSE, Graz University of Technology, and Stephan RECKER, University of Applied Sciences Dortmund, in details highlighted good practice of promoting and implementing STEM mobilities from Austria & Germany.
The second day was aimed at presenting other EU experience as well as letting participants discuss common issues during working groups. Christoph SENFT, Nexperia, Hamburg, Martina WOLFGRUBER, Infineon Technologies Austria AG, Villach, presented theor experience on importantance for STEM students entering the labour market. During the pannel discussion Rui PASCOAL, University Institute of Lisbon, Kaie EHA, Tallina Tehnika Körgkool University of Applied Sciences, Stefan ROTH, RWTH Aachen University, Riem MOHAMED, IMC Krems – University of Applied Sciences, stressed their experience on challenges & benefits from students and teachers perspectives. At the end of presentation session, Luís CASTRO, Coimbra Institute of Engineering – Polytechnic University of Coimbra, presented successful cases of the HEIs on recognition of international credit mobility.
The next part of the day was aimed at sharing participants’ experiences and thoughts during workshops: “Recognition in STEM” and “How to facilitate mobilities in STEM”. At the beginning of last day Jakob CALICE, Managing Director – OeAD – Austria’s Agency for Education and Internationalisation, welcomed participants and provided thematic input of the event. During the next session, Chris SCHUBERT, Vienna University of Technology, EULiST, and Philipp HÖHNE, TECHNISCHE UNIVERSITÄT BERLIN, ENHANCE, presented experience and their cases of European University Alliances and STEM as well as Bianca KEIPER, Saarland University, highlighted the innput on communication and how to address and motivate STEM students to go abroad.
At the end of the last day participants joing the last workshop aimed to design STEM micro-campaign based on their discussion and common issues.
The event served as a vital platform for strengthening international collaboration in STEM within the framework of higher education. By bringing together experts and practitioners from across Europe, it facilitated meaningful dialogue, exchange of best practices, and the development of new partnerships. For Ukrainian institutions in particular, the training provided timely guidance on enhancing participation in the Erasmus+ Programme, while supporting the modernisation of STEM education and the internationalisation of universities during the martial law.