Through UnaVEx, three Una Europa universities (Helsingin yliopisto/Helsingfors universitet, Alma Mater Studiorum - Università di Bologna, KU Leuven) and three African universities (Université de Kinshasa, University of Nairobi, University of Johannesburg) will co-design a virtual exchange framework for high-quality sustainability education. The remaining eight Una Europa partner universities will support the project as associated partners.
“UnaVEx is responding to a growing call among students across Europe and Africa for a more international approach to higher education that reflects the borderless, interconnected nature of global challenges,” said UnaVEx Coordinator Hanna Lappalainen, Dr. Docent in Atmospheric Sciences at Helsingin yliopisto/Helsingfors universitet. “As UnaVEx coordinating partner, Helsingin yliopisto/Helsingfors universitet is proud to be collaborating with five exceptional universities across Europe and Africa to equip the next generation of changemakers with sustainability knowledge.”
" UnaVEx is responding to a growing call among students across Europe and Africa for a more international approach to higher education that reflects the borderless, interconnected nature of global challenges. "
Hanna Lappalainen
UnaVEx Coordinator,
Dr. Docent in Atmospheric Sciences,
Helsingin yliopisto/Helsingfors universitet
Building on Una Europa’s Micro-credential Programme in Sustainability, UnaVEx will draw on project partners’ pedagogical and research expertise in sustainability and atmospheric sciences, especially in relation to climate change, air quality and clean air in cities. The project will also provide early-career researchers with opportunities to develop their professional and transversal skills by offering opportunities to train as virtual exchange facilitators.
UnaVEx is rooted in the Una Europa–Africa Partnership, which unites Una Europa’s 11 partner institutions with eight African universities. The Partnership is committed to supporting globally connected co-creators of our shared future through strategic collaboration across research, education and societal outreach. Emily Palmer, Una Europa Secretary General, said: “The Una Europa–Africa Partnership vision statement is ‘Whatever we do, we do it for the next generation.’ UnaVEx embodies this vision by empowering graduates across Europe and Africa to tackle some of the biggest challenges shared by the two continents.”
UnaVEx represents a bold step forward among European Universities alliances towards achieving global solutions to global challenges in partnership with African higher education institutions.
