Student perspectives on transversal skills and co-creation in joint study programmes

Key insights on transversal skills

During the workshop, students emphasized the importance of innovation and creativity as vital transversal skills, although they noted these concepts often remain loosely defined. When discussing preferred skills in relation to the job market, innovation emerged as a top priority. Participants highlighted the significance of verbal communication skills for effective dissemination of information and networking, which are crucial in both professional and personal contexts.

The workshop also sparked discussions about the relevance of storytelling, particularly in the context of social media, and emphasized the need for global awareness and strong organizational skills. To better integrate these transversal skills into their courses, students suggested developing guiding questions that promote an experiential learning approach. They also proposed the inclusion of immersive short workshops to enhance hands-on learning experiences.

Building on the insights shared during the workshop, several key recommendations emerged for enhancing creativity and innovation within the curriculum:

• Increased offerings of creativity and innovation activities: Students advocated for more activities and support focused on creativity and innovation, along with real-life applications. They stressed the need for practical discussions that demonstrate how knowledge can be applied in real-world scenarios.

• Interactive leadership development: The workshop participants called for interactive methods that allow students to identify and practice leadership and management skills, helping them to prepare for future challenges.

Perspectives on co-creation of joint programmes

In addition to discussing transversal skills, the workshop also delved into the co-creation of joint programmes. Students expressed their desire for high-quality teaching combined with diverse learning methods that foster community integration. They outlined several recommendations to improve this co-creation process, including:

• Streamlined communication and bureaucracy: Enhancing communication between institutions to create seamless administrative processes.

• Mobility support: Ensuring that students have access to guaranteed housing and sufficient time for mobility beyond a single semester.

• Flexible study paths: Allowing for personalized curricula that cater to individual student needs.

• Student-driven focus groups: Establishing focus groups and surveys to actively involve students in shaping their educational experience.

• Alumni engagement: Developing an alumni network to connect current students with past graduates for mentorship and support.

• Accessible information: Ensuring that information is readily available in English, both online and on campus.

• Guidelines from students: Encouraging students to prepare guidelines on how to be involved in 4EU+.

• Language and cultural immersion programmes: Implementing programmes that promote language skills and cultural understanding among international and local students.

• Fostering community: Building an integrated community that supports both international and local students, creating a sense of belonging and mutual understanding.

These recommendations will be included in two key documents that will be published soon as part of the 1CORE project's sustainability strategy. Stay tuned for more updates on how the 1CORE initiative is working to enhance educational experiences for students across Europe!

Are you a 4EU+ student interested in participating in future activities like this? Contact us at to get involved!