The EXPER project, dedicated to enhancing the capabilities of ultra-peripheral universities, has successfully completed its three-day series of Best Practices Workshops (WS). The workshops were skillfully led by the University of Rostock (UROS) and saw active participation from prominent institutions including the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (ULPGC), the University of Calabria (UNICAL), and the University of the Azores (UAC).
The primary aim of this enlightening endeavor, conducted under the invaluable guidance of UROS, was to address and fortify the identified weaknesses within ultra-peripheral universities, focusing chiefly on ULPGC and UAC. To ensure the effectiveness of these efforts, the project aimed to foster collaboration not only within the academic community but also with stakeholders from their immediate ecosystem. This cooperative approach is envisioned to pave the way for comprehensive solutions to rectify the identified weaknesses within these universities.
The workshops took place from September 25th to September 27th, 2023, and each day was dedicated to a specific pillar of the EXPER Project:
September 25, 2023: Workshop on Enhancing Talent Attraction and Retention at Our University This workshop delved into Work Package 3 (WP3) of the project, which focuses on strengthening the attractiveness of researchers’ careers. The discussions revolved around improving career assessments, enhancing researchers’ working conditions, and promoting gender equality and diversity.
September 26, 2023: Workshop on Excellent and Responsible Research On this day, attention turned to Work Package 4 (WP4): Excellent and Responsible Research. The discussions encompassed sharing capacity and resources through collaborative settings, the development of transversal and entrepreneurial skills, as well as promoting open science practices and tools. Networking activities were also explored to stimulate multidisciplinary research projects and identify new research directions.
September 27, 2023: Workshop on Cooperation with Local Stakeholders in Knowledge and Technology Transfer The final day of the workshops was dedicated to Work Package 5 (WP5). The discussions revolved around strengthening cooperation with local stakeholders, both from the business sector and civil society. This included creating or reinforcing technology transfer and spin-off offices, fostering collaboration with citizens, and facilitating knowledge and technology transfer within the surrounding ecosystem.
The completion of these workshops signifies a significant step forward in the EXPER project’s pursuit of enhancing the capabilities of ultra-peripheral universities. The project aims to fortify the educational landscape and research potential within these universities, ultimately benefiting their communities and stakeholders by collaborating with leading institutions and embracing a multifaceted approach.
