Introducing in November – TRANSFORM4EUROPE
After a year and a half of associate membership, the University of Primorska is a full member of the European university Transform4Europe (T4EU) as of November 2023. T4EU is a European university that brings together institutions from the border regions of 10 European countries, jointly supporting and promoting green and digital transitions and fostering an inclusive society.
Starting from November 1, 2023, a new project period has begun, enabling support for early-stage collaboration and the establishment of a joint institution. On July 3, 2023, the European Commission approved the further proposal of the T4EU alliance, providing support for the European university for another four years with a budget of €14.4 million from the Erasmus+ program.
This support will allow T4EU to continue its development in promoting mobility, joint and double degree programs, connecting doctoral students and individual universities with the community, strengthening staff, with a specific focus on linking cultural heritage and languages. Students will have the opportunity to choose additional elective courses within their study programs, as a selection of subjects will be available for remote learning at nine additional universities by next semester already. Additionally, UP will offer its subjects to students from partner universities.
Recognition will be automatic, and universities have already started integrating their information systems. Students will be able to access Moodle courses at partner universities using their UP usernames and passwords. Upgrades to other information systems and infrastructure facilities (such as unlimited use of libraries and sports facilities at other partner universities) are planned for the future.
T4EU collaborates in all areas typically offered by modern universities. UP will coordinate activities related to multicultural and multinational campus life. The goal is to promote T4EU membership and enhance mutual understanding and connections between different environments. Extracurricular activities will connect students and staff from all network member universities both virtually and in person. These activities will include intercultural exchanges (skills and knowledge courses, movie nights, culinary and cultural diversity events) and health and well-being activities for all participants (recreation, sports activities, workshops). Activities will take place online and in person.
UP will also coordinate the implementation of the T4EU weeks, special thematic weeks held twice a year, each time at a different member institution. These weeks will bring together students, researchers, and professionals from all member universities.
The goal of Transform4Europe is to empower a new generation of young Europeans who will collaborate across different disciplines and acquire digital, intercultural, and entrepreneurial skills. To achieve these goals, 10 partners have joined forces: Saarland University, Germany; The University of Alicante, Spain; Estonian Academy of Arts, Estonia; The University of Silesia, Poland; Sofia University St. Kliment Ohridski, Bulgaria; The University of Trieste, Italy; Vytautas Magnus University, Lithuania; University Católica Portuguesa, Portugal; University of Primorska, Slovenia; and University Jean Monnet, France. Additionally, Mariupol State University from Ukraine has joined the network as an associate partner.