Aurora Opportunities

These two-week summer courses are small-scale and cover two interesting themes: 1) The circular economy and 2) New venture creation. Our Summer School professors are passionate about sharing their knowledge through interactive lectures, group discussions, and practical assignments. All courses are taught in English, and are (depending on the course) open to Bachelor’s, Master’s and PhD level. 

Participation is via nomination only - please apply here.

Further information on the courses can be found in the Aurora Course Catalogue:

Circular Economy As A Social Innovation

Level of study: Master‘s

Credits: 3 ECTS

Dates:  7-18 July

Mode of teaching: Onsite in Amsterdam

What is the circular economy, and what can it mean for our life, study, and work? In this course, you will engage in active and creative workshops and excursions, next to lectures from circular economy experts. The course will teach you what the circular economy is, how it tackles environmental and social problems, and which social innovations are crucial to transition towards a circular economy. At the end of this course, you will be inspired and empowered to create social innovations for the circular economy.

New Venture Creation



Level of study: Master‘s or third year bachelor‘s

Credits: 3 ECTS

Dates: 7-18 July

Mode of teaching: Onsite in Amsterdam

The creation of new ventures is one of the most important economic issues of this time, all over the world. It is not limited to start-ups only, but also applies to the development of new activities by existing firms (among them corporates) and spin-offs by universities, company expansions, take-overs, and scale-ups, and much more.

This course follows a double approach. The first approach is the sustainable entrepreneurship approach, dealing with the economic, social, and ecological aspects of new ventures. The second approach is the life cycle of the firm approach, dealing with the changes of the firm and the entrepreneur during the life cycle of the firm. 

Further information in the Aurora catalogue : Responsible Entrepreneurship - Aurora

Interested students are welcome to apply online by 23 April 2025.

 

Description: In this course, we propose to explore several dimensions of responsible entrepreneurship: a purpose that can benefit society, a business model design that takes into account sustainability challenges, an ethical business conduct, an integration of social and environmental considerations in the strategic and operational plans. The course includes lectures, online and face-to-face, onsite visits, and a hands-on approach through groupwork on an entrepreneurial project. Participants will prepare a business plan for a venture that includes a social, environmental or solidarity dimension in its offering and/or operations and pitch in front of a jury composed of academics and entrepreneurs.

The programme includes lectures, online and face-to-face, onsite visits, and a hands-on approach through groupwork on an entrepreneurial project. Participants will prepare a business plan for a venture that includes a social, environmental or solidarity dimension in its offering and/or operations and pitch in front of a jury composed of academics and entrepreneurs. 

The BIP starts with 3 online sessions dedicated to defining concepts, on the one hand, and getting started on the responsible entrepreneurial project, on the other hand. A last virtual session, after the physical component, will be dedicated to the wrap-up and final lecture of the BIP. The SEIZMIC survey will be conducted on the first and last sessions.  

Online lectures will take place on the following dates:  

•    6 May 2025 at 17:00 – 19:00 (CET)

•    12 May 2025 at 17:00 – 19:00 (CET)

•    15 May 2025 at 17:00 – 19:00 (CET)

•    27 May 2025 at 17:00 – 19:00 (CET)

In-person activities will be held at the IAE Paris-Est School of Management, Université Paris-Est Créteil (UPEC), from 19 to 23 May 2025.

Université Paris-Est Créteil

Emerging Futures : Societal Innovation meets Future Studies (see further information here)

Level of study: Third year bachelor‘s

Credits: 6 ECTS

Dates: 2-13 June

Mode of teaching: Onsite in París

Students who apply for this course must attach a CV in English to their application.

The application deadline for these courses is 23 March.

Students apply via the Ugla exchange studies portal. We ask that students specify which course they are interested in under „comments“ in their application.

There is a possibility for getting the stay partially funded. By applying for the course via Ugla, students are also applying for a travel and subsistence grant. Each undergraduate or graduate student can only receive one Aurora/Erasmus+ mobility grant per academic year.

Please note that applicants must contact their faculty‘s International Coordinator for information on whether the course can be evaluated into their studies at University of Iceland.

The applicant must be a registered student at University of Iceland and must have paid the registration fee. Students graduating in Spring 2025, exchange students and guest students at University of Iceland cannot apply.

Any questions regarding the courses and/or application process can be sent to aurora@hi.is.

Students at the University of Iceland can take part in summer courses at Copenhagen Business School (CBS), free of charge, through the Aurora cooperation.

The summer courses are interdisciplinary and related to innovation and social entrepreneurship.

Students at the University of Iceland have a choice between four summer courses, three of which are undergraduate courses and one of which is a master‘s course.

Business Responses to Climate Change (BHAAA2402U)

Level of study: Bachelor‘s

Length of stay: two weeks, June 23 - July 4

2.5 ECTS credits

Permaculture: A Regenerative Solution for Business, Community and Lifestyle (BHAAA2403U)

Level of study: Bachelor‘s

Length of stay: two weeks, June 23 - July 4

2.5 ECTS credits

An Introduction to Social Entrepreneurship (BHAAI1097U)

Level of study: Bachelor‘s

Length of stay: three weeks, June 23 - July 10

7.5 ECTS credits

Social Entrepreneurship and Business Model Innovation (CCMVI2115U)

Level of study: Master‘s

Length of stay: three weeks, June 23 - July 10

7.5 ECTS credits

Students who are nominated by the University of Iceland will not need to pay tuition fees at CBS. Additionally, there is the possibility of receiving a partial grant towards mobility and subsistence costs. CBS offers student housing at good rates.

You can apply for a nomination through the University‘s exchange studies portal.

Applications will be prioritised in accordance with the University‘s Application Evaluation metric (see here) and the diversity of the group.

Each student can only apply for one of these courses. We ask students to state which course they‘re applying for under “comments”. Students can number courses in order of priority, if they are interested in more than one, but can only be nominated for one of them.

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Alongside their application for nomination to these courses, students are applying for a travel and subsistence grant. Each undergraduate or master’s student can only receive one Aurora/Erasmus+ short mobility grant per academic year.

Please note that applicants must contact their faculty’s International Coordinator for information on whether the course can be evaluated into their studies at the University of Iceland.

The applicant must be an active, registered student at the University of Iceland who has completed at least 30 ECTS credits and must have paid the registration fee. Students graduating before the end of these courses, exchange students and guest students at the University of Iceland cannot apply. Further prerequisites for exchange studies can be found on the University of Iceland website.

Any questions regarding Aurora or the application process can be sent to aurora@hi.is.

More information on Aurora.

This inspiring event, designed as a Blended Intensive Program (BIP), April 7, 2025, to April 11, 2025, is tailored for personnel engaged in supporting international students and staff. Over the course of the week, you will experience a dynamic program including:

• Expert Presentations: Gain insights from thought leaders and fellow participants.
• Interactive Workshops & Discussions: Collaborate and explore innovative approaches.
• Networking Opportunities: Exchange experiences and best practices with peers.
• Study Visits: Discover key university services and engage with external partners.
• Cultural & Social Events: Immerse yourself in enriching activities that foster connections.

For comprehensive event details, visit the Palacký University Olomouc website. To secure your spot, please complete the application form available here.

Please note: The registration deadline is 21 February, 2025.

We eagerly look forward to welcoming you to an engaging and transformative week of learning, collaboration, and cultural exchange. Together, let us create lasting memories and shape innovative practices for the future.

Event: Universities Deliberating for a Livable Planet (UNIDELIB)

Date and time: Friday, 23 May 2025 from 09:00 – 17:00

Venue: Institut d’Etudes Politiques Fontainebleau – UPEC Amphitheater, 10 Rue du Docteur Clément-Matry, 77300 Fontainebleau.

We are pleased to announce that the registration to attend the following Blended Intensive Programmes (BIPs) organized by Universitat Rovira i Virgili (URV) is now open:  

•    Erasmus+ BIP on Artificial Intelligence and Teaching (on-site 16-20 June 2025)  

Addressed to lecturers and administrative staff from universities already advanced in the field of AI.  

Application deadline: 21 March 2025.

 

•    Erasmus+ BIP on Doctoral Education (on-site 16-20 June 2025)  

Addressed to PhD researchers in the 1st or 2nd year of their doctorate, although more advanced candidates are also admitted and will benefit from participating in the course. 

Application deadline: 21 March 2025.

 

•    Erasmus+ BIP on Doctoral studies supervision (on-site 7 –11 July 2025)  

Addressed to academic researchers who are currently supervising or have the potential to supervise doctoral theses.  

Application deadline: 21 March 2025.

 

During these BIPs, the attendees will undertake a short-term mobility to the URV in Tarragona (Spain), which will be combined with a virtual component (3 June 2025), facilitating collaborative online learning exchange and teamwork. For full details and application links, please visit each programme’s website.

 

We invite you all to enrol in this stimulating training experiences and to disseminate them throughout your institutions and people of interest! 

The Aurora Global COIL Fair 2025, taking place online on April 8, 2025. This event is a fantastic opportunity to connect with like-minded instructors from Aurora universities as well as associate universities and global partners, find potential matches, and start building your Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) project.

How to participate?

1.    Register by March 19, 2025: Registration form.

2.    Receive a bulletin with all participants’ replies by March 20 to identify potential matches.

3.    Join us on April 8, 2025, for a virtual networking event to meet your future COIL partner/s!

Need support? Once you find a match, you can join our COIL Professional Development Workshop for free in June 2025, designed to guide you step by step through your COIL project implementation. This training is exclusively for those who have found an Aurora partner (during the Fair or short after it).

 

Registration will be open after the COIL Fair, 8 April 2025.

The training is addressed exclusively to instructors who have a partner and wish to design and develop their COIL (Collaborative Online International Learning), step by step.

The methodology will combine asynchronous work -visualize videos and autonomous work with partner; and synchronous sessions to share progress, debate on questions and doubts and possible approaches, as well as peer learning.

Further information.