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Institutions

  • UNIgreen Summer School 2025

    Planting the Seeds for a Greener Future

    From July 7 to 25, UNIgreen held its Summer School in Paris at SupBiotech, welcoming 15 students from across the world and from UNIgreen Alliance member universities — UAL, UNIMORE, and SGGW. Students were warmly received by members of the International Relations Departments and the UNIgreen Office at SupBiotech, including UNIgreen Ambassador Elizaveta Zhuvoka and UNIgreen Communications and Marketing Intern Lydie Hamza.

    The three-week program, themed “One Health, Genetics, and Sustainability,” combined cutting-edge biotechnology training with rich cultural immersion. Participants gained hands-on experience with innovative laboratory techniques, explored emerging challenges in the field, and enhanced their intercultural understanding through French language courses and visits to iconic institutions such as the Musée d’Orsay and La Cité des Sciences.

    These experiences reflected UNIgreen’s core values of Openness, Engagement, Academic Responsibility, Innovation, Diversity, Inclusion, and Multiculturalism.

    As part of the hands-on component, students visited the Imagine Institute, where they toured the sequencing platform and gained first-hand insight into genetic sequencing processes and current market applications.

    The academic program was led by Dr. Patrick Gonzalez, Joint Research Center 1 Coordinator, WP3 Co-coordinator, and lead Professor of the Summer School. Dr. Gonzalez guided students through innovative methods and state-of-the-art techniques, ranging from genetic engineering to ecotoxicology, through engaging lectures and lab sessions.

    A special UNIgreen hybrid webinar further enriched the program: Dr. Frank Yates, Director of Research and UNIgreen Scientific Council Advisor, delivered a lecture on Stem Cells and the Future of Cell Cultures, while guest speaker Dr. Torben Osterlund, Chief Scientific Officer at PEPPER, discussed Validation in Regulatory Acceptance of NAMs.

    Collaboration, Teamwork, and Student Engagement at the Heart of UNIgreen

    Collaboration was central to the Summer School experience. Through group projects, knowledge exchange sessions, and presentations to academic juries, students developed teamwork skills while sharing insights with peers and professionals. These activities aligned with UNIgreen’s mission of preparing students to contribute to Europe’s strategic competitiveness and to play a leading role in the Green Transition by empowering them as future professionals and responsible citizens.

    The Summer School concluded with a celebratory diploma ceremony, where participants were awarded 6 ECTS credits in recognition of their dedication and achievements. This milestone marked the culmination of three weeks of hard work, collaboration, and cultural enrichment.

    UNIgreen and its member universities are proud to have hosted such an inclusive, diverse, and multicultural initiative. Heartfelt thanks go to all the students, professors, and International Relations Department, UNIgreen Office, and other organizers who made this Summer School an unforgettable experience in the City of Light.

    We are looking forward to seeing you at next year’s edition!

    Discover the best moments of our Summer School through this short video!

     

  • UNIgreen Training Event in Modena

    Building Skills for Innovative and Inclusive Education

    From 10 to 12 September, the UNIgreen Alliance, in collaboration with UNIMORE successfully hosted a three-day training event in Modena. The initiative brought together staff members from across the network to strengthen their skills in supporting innovative teaching models and meeting flexibility needs in education.

    The program focused on enhancing services in the fields of internationalization, inclusiveness, and the digital preservation of cultural heritage, combining both administrative and technological perspectives.

    Key themes covered

    • Support for innovative and interactive teaching approaches
    • Services for students and teaching staff in the context of internationalization strategies
    • Document translation, digitalization, and archiving techniques
    • Digital enhancement of cultural heritage
    • Tools and methods to support diversity and inclusiveness

    Participants had the chance to exchange best practices, gain hands-on training, and reflect on new strategies to improve higher education services within UNIgreen and beyond.

    Feedback from Alessandra Marazzi

  • UNIgreen Training Workshop for Mobility Officers

    The “UNIgreen Training Workshop for Mobility Officers”, organized by the Polytechnic University of Coimbra‘s International Office, was held on November between 20thand 22nd at the Coimbra Agriculture School (ESAC).

    The first day began with a welcome to the partners present at the meeting, as well as a brief presentation of the Polytechnic University of Coimbra (PUC), by Professor Maria João Cardoso, Pro-President and Institutional Coordinator of International Relations at PUC. 

    Afterwards, there was a short session introducing UNIgreen, which focused on the common tasks and timeline for Work Package 4 (WP4). It included the UNIgreen Day, Welcome Weeks, and the Ambassador Program, to try to answer the question: “What do we do, when and how?”. This was followed by a workshop with all training participants, where various topics were discussed, including the implementation of Erasmus Without Paper (EWP), accommodation options and prices, English course offerings, the course catalogue of the institution and language preferences. The aim was to enhance participants’ understanding of each partner’s country. 

    The afternoon discussion focused on the topic: “Presenting Good Practices under European Universities Alliances”. This session presented by featured contributions from Ângela Carvalho, Director of the International Relations Office, and Rosa Magalhães, Project Assistant for the European University RUN-EU, from the Polytechnic University of Cávado and Ave (IPCA) that emphasized the importance of fostering robust collaboration among member universities. Through joint academic programmes, research initiatives, and mobility opportunities, RUN-EU has established a cohesive framework that encourages knowledge exchange and cultural enrichment discussed how RUN-EU prioritises student involvement in decision-making processes. The speakers shared examples of innovative teaching and learning methods, such as micro-credentials, interdisciplinary modules, and the integration of sustainability principles in curricula. These practices aim to equip all beneficiaries with skills for the future job market.

    It was highlighted also RUN-EU’s commitment to digital innovation. Initiatives like virtual mobility and online collaborative platforms have broadened participation and ensured that educational opportunities are accessible to all students, regardless of location or background.

    This presentation demonstrated the transformative potential of European Universities Alliances, showcasing how RUN-EU is setting benchmarks for international collaboration and educational excellence.

    On the final day, the workshop began with a WP4 meeting in the morning, followed by a discussion on the key conclusions and feedback from colleagues and partners on the progress made throughout the intense days of the event.

  • UNIgreen Travel Award – University of Almería

    The University of Almería has announced the winners of the UNIgreen Travel Award, an initiative designed to promote sustainable mobility among international students. This award encourages students to travel using low-emission means of transportation, such as trains, buses, or bicycles, in order to reduce their carbon footprint and raise awareness of individual capabilities to face global challenges.

    The UNIgreen Travel Award is funded by the Vice-Rectorate for International Projection, the Vice-Rectorate for Sustainability, Health, and Sports, and UNIgreen, reflecting the university’s commitment to promoting sustainability and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. 

    The winners were announced during the International Students Welcome Ceremony held on February 7, 2025. The first prize, valued at 300 euros, went to Léa Grimonster from Bomal (Durbuy), Belgium, a student at University-College of the Province of Liège – La Reid. The second prize, worth 200 euros, was awarded to Isaac Ola-Oluwa Oladipo from Toulouse, France, a student at Institut national universitaire Jean-François Champollion. Both winners were also guaranteed the special reservation of a bicycle for rent at the university during their stay.

    The UNIgreen Travel Award is a significant step in promoting greener travel choices and aligns with the values of UNIgreen. Through this award, the university not only rewards students for their sustainable travel practices but also fosters awareness of the importance of environmental responsibility within its community.

  • UNIgreen Values Social Media Challenge

    We are thrilled to invite all members of the UNIgreen Community to participate in our first social media challenge, aimed at showcasing the UNIgreen Values.

    As part of our Building a Better Future Campaign, this month we are introducing our Community to the UNIgreen Code of Values, which reflects our commitment to sustainable education, research, and innovation in support of a more environmentally friendly and resource-efficient future.

    To participate in the challenge, follow these steps:

    • Discover and read more about the UNIgreen Values.
    • Follow the instructions released on our UNIgreen Instagram Stories.
    • Post a Story on Instagram depicting how a specific UNIgreen value is reflected in your daily life.

    This is a fantastic opportunity to give visibility to the values that unite and define our Community. We look forward to seeing how you embody these principles in your everyday actions.

    Join us in Building a Better Future and help us spread the UNIgreen message!

  • UNIgreen Winter School 2026 at SupBiotech

    At UNIgreen, international mobility and scientific innovation are at the core of the student journey. In line with our commitment to sustainability, knowledge transfer, and European collaboration, SupBiotech proudly hosted the 2026 Installation of UNIgreen’s Winter School: From Skin Science to Sustainable Cosmetic Formulation.

    Bringing together students from partner institutions across Europe, this Winter School offered a dynamic mix of academic learning, hands-on practice, and international exchange, all centred on one essential theme: building the future of sustainable cosmetic science.

    A Program That Blends Science, Innovation, and European Collaboration

    Held from January 19 to 23, 2026, with participants welcomed to SupBiotech’s campus from January 18, this five-day intensive course explored the biological, regulatory, and technological foundations of sustainable cosmetic development.
    The Winter School awarded 4 ECTS credits to participants and included breakfasts, lunches, one welcome dinner, accommodation, and local transportation. Aditionally, the week long course explored the biological, regulatory, and technological foundations of sustainable cosmetic development.

    This edition gathered 24 international students and some of them from UNIgreen and international partner institutions (University of Almeria, AUM Poznan, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, UNIMORE, Centria University of Applied Sciences & Universidade Catolica Portuguesa) creating the ideal environment for teamwork, exchange, and community building within the Erasmus+ and UNIgreen networks.

    A Week Designed for Immersive Learning and International Exchange

    Instead of traditional academic lectures alone, the Winter School offered a holistic learning experience built around exploration, collaboration, and applied scientific practice. The structure of the week was carefully designed to alternate between scientific sessions, practical workshops, expert insights, and group activities.

    Key Elements of the Learning Experience Integrated Scientific Modules

    Participants explored:

    • Skin physiology and scalp & hair biology, including anatomy, skin conditions, and common capillary disorders. 
    • European cosmetic regulations, with interactive case studies to distinguish cosmetic products and understand mandatory requirements.
    • Sustainable formulation principles, focusing on environmental impact, responsible raw material sourcing, and transition to biobased ingredients.

    Hands On Practical Learning‑On Practical Learning

    The program included:

    • A soap formulation workshop where students developed a cosmetic solid product from raw ingredients to finished prototype.

    Collaboration and Team Spirit

    The evaluation emphasized:

    • Participation,
    • Co-operation,
    • Collective problem solving,‑solving
    • and a final group report.

    This reflects the program’s commitment to sustainability not only in content, but also in the values it promotes.

    A Warm Welcome in Paris

    To make the experience even more memorable, participants enjoyed a welcome dinner in a traditional Parisian restaurant, fostering connections between students and staff in a friendly and multicultural atmosphere.
    This warm moment replaced the originally planned cultural activity and offered a perfect introduction to French hospitality and gastronomy.

    A Promising Edition that Strengthens European Bonds

    The 2026 Winter School once again highlighted the importance of international academic collaboration within the Erasmus+ and UNIgreen frameworks.
    Students left with:

    • New scientific and technical skills,
    • Practical experience in sustainable cosmetic innovation,
    • A deeper understanding of AI’s role in formulation science,
    • And meaningful connections with peers from across Europe.

    SupBiotech’s International Relations & UNIgreen teams are already preparing future editions, continuing their mission to promote sustainability, scientific excellence, and intercultural exchange.

  • UNIgreen: Meeting in Poland on Ecosystem Services

    In September 2025, the Joint Research Center 4 “Biodiversity, Forestry, and Agroecology” of the UNIgreen Alliance held a five-day scientific mission hosted by the Warsaw University of Life Sciences and the Rogów Forest Experimental Station.

    Researchers and academic staff from Portugal, Spain, Belgium, France, Bulgaria, and Iceland took part in a short course on ecosystem services in functional connectivity, combining lectures, field-based case studies, and a collaborative proposal-writing workshop.

    During the mission, participants discussed practical approaches to assessing and balancing ecosystem services in managed landscapes, examined trade-offs observed in the field, and defined next steps for joint research projects.

    The event not only strengthened cooperation among UNIgreen partners, but also laid the groundwork for a shared research proposal and future scientific collaborations.

    Funding: The mission was supported by the Polish National Agency for Academic Exchange (NAWA) under the project BPI/WUE/2024/1/00014/U/00001.

  • UNIMORE hosts the launch event of the project UNIgreen

    Today was the closing ceremony of the Annual Summit – Kick off Meeting of UNIgreen, marking the end of three intense days.

    From 6 to 8 March, Unimore hosted in Modena the operational launch event of UNIgreen.

    A three-day event with a packed programme of meetings between the Rector’s Palace and the San Geminiano Complex, with the participation of around eighty delegates, more than 50 of whom came from the seven universities of Spain, Belgium, Poland, Portugal, Bulgaria, Iceland and France. On this occasion, the bodies of the organisational structure of the alliance meet for the first time, with the aim of establishing its rules of operation and future actions.

    The eight rectors signed the Declaration of Establishment of UNIgreen – The Green European University, the official act that seals the establishment of UNIgreen’s General Assembly and states its main responsibilities and functioning.

    “UniGreen represents a new challenge for the future of education and training in Europe, with the aspiration of becoming the leading European university for sustainable agriculture, green biotechnology and environmental and life sciences,’ claimed Unimore Rector Carlo Adolfo Porro.

    ‘Its transnational and interdisciplinary dimension also offers many opportunities for collaboration for the entire academic community. This alliance enables us to establish new and deeper relationships with other leading academic institutions in Europe and around the world, thus increasing our capacity to create and transfer knowledge and innovative solutions to address major environmental challenges, and also allowing us to further consolidate and increase our international dimension and exposure. We are honoured, on this launch occasion, to host Rectors and delegates from countries in various parts of Europe: France, Spain, Portugal, Poland, Bulgaria, Belgium, and Iceland. This gives us the opportunity to share ideas and practices of excellence in teaching, research and innovation, thus helping to strengthen our ability to train students who can then go on to quality employment. We are confident that the UNIgreen Alliance will be a significant turning point in promoting sustainable development in Europe and worldwide. As founding partners, we are ready and very determined to make our contribution in this direction’.

    ‘The UNIgreen Alliance is the result of great collaborative work between the founding universities, which have worked hard to achieve a common goal: to create a network proposal that shares a common vision of sustainable development,’ added Prof. Alessandro Capra, delegate for internationalisation -. The work done in the two years of preparation had positive results by testing the teaching staff and technical-administrative personnel of the institutions involved to outline objectives on topics of mutual interest and define a possible integrated partner structure. Furthermore, the relations established with partners resulted in the participation in an Erasmus call with approval of the UGREEN project on green labels. In the 2022 call for tenders, the UNIgreen alliance was approved together with three other alliances against more than thirty applications, achieving a very high rating to our great satisfaction. The importance of an alliance lies precisely in the possibility of sharing knowledge, expertise and good practices between partner universities, and this multidisciplinary and international collaboration will enable the development of innovative solutions to address environmental challenges and promote sustainable development. It is worth mentioning that the proposal was built on the aforementioned “green” themes, but the alliance is between universities; therefore, teaching, research and third mission projects can potentially be developed in all scientific and disciplinary areas’.

    As part of its 48-month implementation phase, UNIgreen has received a total contribution of 7 million euro from EACEA, the European Education and Culture Executive Agency.

  • UNIMORE organises Sustainable Development Festival

    The University of Modena and Reggio Emilia (UNIMORE) will offer a series of events for the Sustainable Development Festival 2024.

    The Festival, promoted by ASVIS (Alleanza Italiana per lo Sviluppo Sostenibile), is the largest Italian initiative for disseminating the culture of sustainability.

    On Friday, 10 May 2024, starting from 8:00 PM, the Night of Sustainability will take place at the Department of Law and the Geophysical Observatory of Modena with a programme full of events dedicated to sustainability.

    The Departments of Law and the Geophysical Observatory of Modena will open their doors for a series of seminars and engaging activities. Faculty members and researchers from the Department of Law will lead seminars on legal sustainability, exploring the legal implications of responsible environmental actions and ongoing regulatory changes. Meanwhile, the Geophysical Observatory will be open to the public and will host sustainability-themed activities and experiments brought by various UNIMORE departments.

    On the morning of 20 May 2024, at the Tecnopolo of Reggio Emilia, faculty members and researchers from UNIMORE will present their research activities on sustainability in its multiple aspects during an event dedicated to local schools. The UNIgreen Alliance will be part of the presentations.

    Right afterword, the play “Amorosi Assassini” by and with Valeria Perdonò will be staged, a performance promoted by the project ” UNIMORE for gender inequalities” and by “Learn the art. Actions for prevention and training on male violence against women” of the Municipality of Reggio Emilia and the Nondasola non-profit association.

    For more information, please visit:

    Unimore per il Festival dello Sviluppo Sostenibile
    UNIMORE-Sustainable-Development-FestivalDownload

  • UNIMORE Rector Elected Chair of the UNIgreen General Assembly

    Prof. Dr. Carlo Adolfo Porro, Rector of the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia (UNIMORE), has been elected as the Chair of the UNIgreen General Assembly.

    The General Assembly serves as UNIgreen’s highest decision-making body, uniting executive leaders – Rectors and Presidents – from the eight member institutions of the UNIgreen Alliance. It is responsible for defining the Alliance’s overall vision, long-term strategy, and general policies.

    We extend our best wishes to Prof. Dr. Carlo Adolfo Porro for a successful and impactful tenure!

  • UNIMORE UNIgreen Series Seminar on certifications to the DOP of Parmigiano Reggiano

    As part of the life-long learning activities of the UNIgreen Alliance, on Thursday 29 August 2024 Prof. Andrea Pulvirenti, President of the master’s degree in Food Control and Safety

    at the UNIMORE Department of Life Sciences held a seminar on Mandatory certifications and voluntary additional certifications to the DOP of Parmigiano Reggiano.

    This new UNIgreen Series Seminarwas a dedicated training meeting for the technicians of the Parmigiano Reggiano cheese Consortium, one of the UNIgreen UNIMORE stakeholders, on certifications in the food sector, with specific reference to those applied to the Parmigiano Reggiano supply chain.

  • UNIMORE: Green Spaces for Climate Action

    Green Spaces and Urban Planning for a Changing Climate: A Key Step for UNIMORE

    On November 5, a well-attended conference on urban green spaces and climate-responsive city planning took place at UNIMORE at the Enzo Ferrari Department of Engineering in Modena, drawing more than 130 participants from academia, public administrations, and the professional community.

    The event focused on the growing role of urban greenery and urban regeneration as essential tools for climate change mitigation and adaptation. Throughout the day, participants explored how cities can be redesigned to respond to rising temperatures, extreme weather events, and increasing environmental pressures, while also improving quality of life for citizens.

    Contributions addressed local climate challenges, urban and territorial planning, and the strategic value of urban forests, underlining the need for strong connections between scientific research, policy, and governance. The discussions highlighted how integrated approaches are crucial to building resilient, inclusive, and sustainable cities.

    In the afternoon, representatives from several municipal administrations shared practical experiences and ongoing projects, offering concrete examples of how climate-aware planning can be translated into action at the local level through collaboration between institutions and territories.

    The conference also showcased the importance of place-based initiatives, made possible through targeted funding, that support the recovery and enhancement of urban green areas within university spaces.

    This event strongly aligns with the UNIgreen Alliance mission, reinforcing its commitment to sustainability, climate action, and innovation in green and urban transitions. By fostering dialogue between universities, local authorities, and communities, initiatives like this contribute to advancing knowledge, sharing best practices, and turning research into tangible solutions for a more sustainable future.

  • University of Almería Hosts two UNIgreen Summer School Courses

    The University of Almería (UAL) is proud to host two courses as part of the UNIgreen Summer School.

    Each course spans 80 hours and includes an initial segment focused on learning Spanish. The first course, “Engineering of Microalgae Bioprocesses: From the Cell to the Final Product,” began this Monday. The second course, “Microorganisms, Biotechnology, and Sustainability: The Power of the Invisible,” will run from 1 to 26 July. Both courses are open to participants from countries outside the Alliance.

    These courses are offered within the framework of the ‘Study Abroad’ programme and are designed for students from the UNIgreen Alliance. On 3 June, the first group of students from SupBiotech Engineering School of Biotechnology (France) was warmly welcomed.

    The Vice-Rectorate for International Projection and the Rector’s Delegation for UNIgreen and KA2 projects are jointly organising these courses. While primarily open to universities within the UNIgreen European University Alliance, participation is not limited to them.

    The courses include:

    “Microalgae Bioprocess Engineering: From the Cell to the Final Product” – This course, which began this Monday and runs until 19June, aims to train students in the rapidly growing field of microalgae bioprocesses. Participants will gain comprehensive insights into producing commercial products from microalgae, including examining key development elements, discussing bioreactor selection strategies, and reviewing best practices to maximise manufacturing efficiency. The course also covers the role of microalgae in the circular economy.

    “Microorganisms, Biotechnology, and Sustainability: The Power of the Invisible” – Scheduled from 1 to 26 July, will delve into the significant impact of microorganisms on biotechnology and sustainability.

    Both courses include a component dedicated to enhancing participants’ Spanish language skills, covering oral expression, listening comprehension, written expression, and reading comprehension to ensure effective communication in Spanish.

    We look forward to welcoming more students to these exciting and educational courses!