We are delighted to introduce you the first e-zine issue of our Erasmus+ project UniverCity Action Lab (UCITYLAB), the joint initiative of a European consortium of higher education institutions – Porto Business School, University of Ljubljana, Autonomous University of Barcelona, Institut Mines-Télécom – and UIIN to foster university- city collaborations to tackle urban challenges.
What is in?
Our first issue aims to highlight the motivations and the vision of the project, as well as shedding light into the institutional motivations of the partner organisations in joining this change initiative. The issue is also enriched with input from our supported Erasmus+ Knowledge Alliance projects WEXHE & PEOPLE, recent reports and upcoming events relevant to the theme, presented for your attention.
The selected articles from our partner institutions reflect urgency in action, in addressing pressing societal challenges with novel ways of urban engagement, including forming of local stakeholder communities and setting-up relevant educational activities. Universities are called for adopting interdisciplinary models of teaching and research, and incorporating problem-based learning experiences in their curriculum that will require involvement of the city actors to co-create solutions.
While the consortium commits to the common goals of the project, our articles show our partner institutions have their local and organisational priorities to achieve over the course of their collaboration as well. These unique elements are stated as e.g. increasing of awareness among the
academics on the complexity of technological and societal change, innovation in service and product development with inclusion of citizens, development of new business models in accordance with the potential new solutions, and formation of sub-thematic urban research groups.
We wish you all a pleasant reading and plenty of inspiration for your own university- city collaboration initiatives.