From 25–27 November, EKA participated in the Transform4Europe (T4EU) Matchmaking event in Saint-Étienne, France, hosted by partner university Université Jean Monnet. The aim of the event was to strengthen inter-university academic cooperation and promote joint curriculum development initiatives.
The three-day meeting brought together lecturers, researchers, doctoral students and academic staff from the alliance’s member universities to discuss existing and planned joint projects, establish new collaborations, and share ideas for developing international curricula and joint modules. EKA was represented by Ionel Lehari, Head of the Design and Innovation programme, and instructional designer Marleen Soosaar.
The event also featured the joint interdisciplinary project “Designing Spaces and Experiences for Well-being: Bridging Psychology and Design,” presented by Ionel Lehari together with Patrícia Oliveira Silva, Vice-Dean of the Faculty of Education and Psychology at Universidade Católica Portuguesa. The project received funding in the T4EU Seed Funding call, enabling the partners to develop an innovative interdisciplinary pilot programme in which UCP neuroscience students and EKA design students will work on real-life problems using evidence-based approaches. The presentation was warmly received, and the project was commended for its innovation and interdisciplinary approach.
In Saint-Étienne, the group also visited the design school École supérieure d’art et design de Saint-Étienne. The guests were welcomed by International Relations Coordinator Inge Eller and Erasmus+ exchange student Kristjan Kurm. Together they toured the facilities and workshops and discussed opportunities for further international cooperation.
Ionel Lehari, Head of EKA’s Design and Innovation programme, said:
“Meetings like these provide a great opportunity to exchange experiences and find partners with whom to implement truly impactful and ambitious curriculum development solutions. Transform4Europe gives EKA the chance to be part of an international network of knowledge and ideas where design, technology and the social sciences come together.”
More information about the event.
The next Seed Funding calls open on 8 December; further information is available here.
Photos: Marleen Soosaar
