The 4EU+ Alliance and UNICA: Network of Universities from the Capitals of Europe are pleased to invite you to an insightful webinar on how universities and employers can join forces to prepare students with the skills needed to thrive in today’s rapidly evolving world.
In an era defined by technological innovation, sustainability challenges, and shifting societal expectations, equipping students with next-generation skills is more critical than ever. This event is part of the UNICA EduLAB – 4EU+ Alliance Joint Education Webinar Series, showcasing successful collaborations between universities and employers in developing innovative, industry-relevant educational programs.
Date: Tuesday, 21 January 2025
Time: 14:00 – 15:30 (CET)
Registration: Fill in the registration form by 19 January 2025 *The link to the webinar will be sent to the registrants only.
Participants will gain valuable insights into:
University-Employer Collaborations: Building impactful and practical educational initiatives
Real-World Case Studies: Exploring innovative projects in diverse sectors
Knowledge Sharing: Engaging with academics, employers, policymakers, and students
Scalable Strategies: Adapting collaboration models across university networks like 4EU+
This event welcomes:
University leaders, program directors, and career services professionals
Employers from various industries
Policymakers and educational stakeholders
Members of European Universities Alliances and higher education institutions
Students and young professionals
Quality assurance agencies
14:00 - 14:05
Welcome address
14:05 - 14:35
Round of presentations highlighting successful university-employer collaborations
Collaboration with the business sector and relevant partners is vital for equipping students with the skills necessary for future success. Engaging with stakeholders enables the identification of key job profiles, required competencies, and the development of learning outcomes that align with professional needs. This session will showcase the outcomes of an event organized by the University of Milan, designed to connect local 4EU+ Alliance partners with the academic community. The event was the result of sustained and fruitful collaborations with associated partners and highlighted educational activities focused on developing professional skills. Further input was given by the Core project, which conducted valuable surveys in collaboration with business stakeholders, further demonstrating the effectiveness of such partnerships.
A dedicated session also explored the pathway to a European Degree, emphasizing the role of stakeholder consultation in shaping modern study programs and co-developing workshops and internship opportunities. Continuous dialogue with stakeholders is crucial for fostering the professional skills needed to succeed in today’s globalized world.
How can academia and industry come together to equip students with the skills to succeed in a rapidly evolving world? Drawing on my experience as Program Leader for the 4EU+ Entrepreneurial and Intrapreneurial Project Management Program, I will present a singular approach to bridging these worlds. This session will explore an educational initiative in which European universities and industry leaders collaborate to provide a transformative learning experience for post-master’s students. From fostering cultural intelligence to promoting real-world problem solving, I will illustrate how these partnerships are creating a ripple effect of change and equipping students to become global changemakers. Participants will leave with actionable insights on ways to better align academic learning with the future of work, by involving industry partners.
This presentation will consider how critical effective partnerships between the university and schools are in the provision of high quality teacher education. There will be an overview of some of the key steps King's College has taken to sustain relationships so that school partners - both as participants in course delivery and potential employers - remain committed to the joint enterprise of educating teachers who are well prepared for the schools and classrooms of today and of the future.
14:35 - 14:45
Q&A
14:45 - 15:10
Panel discussion: University and employer representatives will discuss strategies for strengthening collaborations in curriculum development, internships, and skill-building programmes.
15:10 - 15:20
15:20 - 15:30
Wrap-up
As Global Head of SAP University Alliances, Katharina is responsible for collaborations between SAP and academic institutions. After obtaining a double-degree in aerospace and industrial engineering at RWTH Aachen University, she obtained her PhD in aeronautics, focusing on conceptual aircraft design for sustainability. In addition to her work at SAP, she serves as a senate member of the German Society for Aeronautics and Astronautics.
Hervé Marc is the Project Manager for Intrapreneurship and Europe at Sorbonne University, where he leads the 4EU+ Entrepreneurial and Intrapreneurial Project Management Program. With over 35 years of project management experience, Hervé specializes in turning global challenges into opportunities through responsible innovation and international collaboration. As a mentor to entrepreneurs and executives across Europe, he empowers individuals and teams to become changemakers and fosters solutions with lasting impact. His years of experience at Mars Inc. in a variety of marketing and communications roles gave him deep insight into the complexities and operational realities of large organizations. Today, he is committed to projects that combine academic rigor with industry relevance to shape a new generation of responsible leaders.
Sabrina Pavan specialises in leading strategic initiatives that promote international collaboration, enhance institutional impact, and improve the global reputation of partner universities. She works at the University of Milan as part of the 4EU+ European University Alliance, focusing on implementing and integrating processes and activities across European universities. Her expertise encompasses strategic planning, partnership management, mobility programs, and the development of opportunities for students. With a strong background in project management, Sabrina has coordinated and contributed to numerous international projects involving higher education institutions and industry partners. She has extensive experience establishing partnership agreements, managing international networks, and overseeing projects at various levels.
Simon Gibbons has, for ten years, been the Director of Teacher Education at King's College London, a role that includes oversight of the initial teacher education programme that recruits around 170 prospective new secondary school teachers each year. Simon's main areas of research are the history of school English pedagogy and practice, and the importance of teacher professionalism and collaboration in the development of effective classroom practice in the subject. He has published widely in his specialist field and is also co-editor of the critically acclaimed core text for initial teacher education programmes, Becoming a Teacher: Issues in Secondary Education.
Ștefan-Marius Deaconu holds a PhD in History from the University of Bucharest, awarded in 2024. He has served as Vice-President and President of the National Alliance of Student Organisations in Romania and as a student evaluator at the Romanian Agency for Quality Assurance in Higher Education. In the latter capacity, he was a member of the Commission for Humanities and Theology. He was a member and Secretary General of the Council for Ethics and University Management (CEMU). Since 2019, he has been a public policy expert at the Executive Unit for the Financing of Higher Education, Research, Development and Innovation (UEFISCDI). Since November 2022, he is advisor to the Minister of Education. He currently represents Romania in the European Network of Graduate Tracking and is part of the Eurograduate 2026 national research team in Romania.
Be part of this transformative conversation to drive innovation in higher education and workforce readiness!