Among other things, the effects of COVID-19 on international processes were discussed at an online meeting for UNICA member institutions, where events cancelled due to the epidemic and planned for next year were also reviewed. There was also a discussion on a webinar planned for September, which will be held by the two Hungarian member universities of the association, Semmelweis University and Eötvös Loránd University. The event will be focusing on the multidisciplinary approaches of COVID-19 from medical, social and legal aspects. In addition to the two universities, representatives of international partner institutions will give presentations and participate in virtual roundtables at the webinar. Possible topics include crisis management, digital education, collaborations outside Europe as well as the new virtual Erasmus programme. This year’s first UNICA event to be attended in person is scheduled to take place in Brussels in September, with the participation of all member universities, followed by another one in Berlin in November.
At the webinar for international relations officers of UNICA member universities, Dr. Marcel Pop, Head of the Directorate of International Relations, and Diána Módos, International Project Coordinator, represented Semmelweis University. During the meeting, Dr. Marcel Pop suggested that in the frame of a future webinar it would be important to examine the impact of COVID-19 on practice-oriented training, as well as how this issue was handled in the institutions involved. An online discussion on this topic, moderated by Semmelweis University, could take place in 2021, where participants could share relevant experiences and good practices.
As a conclusion of the event, Dr. Luciano Saso, President of UNICA, said that following the reopening of the borders, the organization was ready to relaunch its event series, which would serve as a catalyst for the member institutions. The association will continue bringing together and promoting cooperation between partner universities in areas such as internationalization and mobility, R&D&I, doctoral training, educational development, university management and development strategies, social implication and responsibility.
Based on the decision of Rector Béla Merkely, Semmelweis University joined UNICA on 1 January 2020. The Rome-based university network was founded in 1990 with the aim of facilitating the cooperation and joint application activities of universities from the capitals of Europe along various priorities, such as internationalization and mobility, R&D&I, doctoral training, educational development, university management and development strategies, social implication and responsibility. Currently, 53 universities from 37 European capitals are members of the network, including Semmelweis University and Eötvös Loránd University in Hungary. Every year, UNICA organizes several thematic conferences at member universities on various topics with the participation of eight working groups, each specializing in one field (education, research, doctoral training, international, PR and communication, environmental sustainability, the social role of universities).
Bernadett Bódi
Photo and source: Diána Módos – Directorate of International Relations
Translation: Diána Módos
