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Strengthening Strategic Collaboration and Inclusion: ATHENA’s Central Coordination Body Meets in Vigo
2025-05-07
Strengthening Strategic Collaboration and Inclusion: ATHENA’s Central Coordination Body Meets in Vigo
From 5th to 7th May, 2025, representatives of the ATHENA European University alliance gathered in Vigo, Spain, for a key coordination event hosted by the University of Vigo (UVigo). This meeting brought together institutional leaders, project coordinators, and students to evaluate progress, align on strategic priorities, and deepen ATHENA’s commitment to equality and inclusiveness across its member institutions.
A Voice for Students: Laying the Groundwork
The event commenced on 5th May with a pre-meeting of the ATHENA Student Board. The students convened to articulate their views on their involvement in the alliance and provide valuable input on their role within ATHENA's Action Groups. Their discussions set an important tone for the days that followed, reaffirming the alliance’s commitment to co-creating the European university of the future with active student participation.
CCB Meeting – Shaping the Path Forward
Tuesday, 6th May, was fully dedicated to the Central Coordination Body (CCB) meeting, held at the UVigo’s Redeiras Building. After an institutional welcome by Rector Manuel Joaquín Reigosa, the day was structured around three working sessions.
Highlights of the meeting included:
A Voice for Students: Laying the Groundwork
The event commenced on 5th May with a pre-meeting of the ATHENA Student Board. The students convened to articulate their views on their involvement in the alliance and provide valuable input on their role within ATHENA's Action Groups. Their discussions set an important tone for the days that followed, reaffirming the alliance’s commitment to co-creating the European university of the future with active student participation.
CCB Meeting – Shaping the Path Forward
Tuesday, 6th May, was fully dedicated to the Central Coordination Body (CCB) meeting, held at the UVigo’s Redeiras Building. After an institutional welcome by Rector Manuel Joaquín Reigosa, the day was structured around three working sessions.
Highlights of the meeting included:
- Reviewing progress on the alliance’s strategic goals and fine-tuning the implementation of the ATHENA Action Plan.
- Exploring how to more effectively engage students in governance and project activities, with emphasis on integrating their voices into Action Groups.
- Deliberating on the future organisational structure of these groups to ensure efficiency, inclusiveness, and impact.
- Sharing feedback and insights from ATHENA’s involvement in wider European University initiatives, particularly the ForeEU4All topical groups.
Aligning with Broader European Priorities: Equality and Inclusion
On Wednesday, 7th May, ATHENA participants joined UVigo’s International Week programme focused on gender equality—an issue of shared importance for the alliance. The morning featured the presentation of a survey mapping gender equality resources across partner universities, followed by an engaging roundtable titled “Transformative Education: Gender Equality and Institutional Change.”
Speakers from Spain, Azerbaijan, Greece, and Italy shared perspectives on driving systemic change through education, representation, and policy. This exchange enriched ATHENA’s ongoing efforts to foster inclusive academic environments.
The programme concluded with a visit to CINBIO, UVigo’s Centre for Research in Nanomaterials and Biomedicine, showcasing innovative research with cross-disciplinary relevance.
On Wednesday, 7th May, ATHENA participants joined UVigo’s International Week programme focused on gender equality—an issue of shared importance for the alliance. The morning featured the presentation of a survey mapping gender equality resources across partner universities, followed by an engaging roundtable titled “Transformative Education: Gender Equality and Institutional Change.”
Speakers from Spain, Azerbaijan, Greece, and Italy shared perspectives on driving systemic change through education, representation, and policy. This exchange enriched ATHENA’s ongoing efforts to foster inclusive academic environments.
The programme concluded with a visit to CINBIO, UVigo’s Centre for Research in Nanomaterials and Biomedicine, showcasing innovative research with cross-disciplinary relevance.
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- Page administrators:
- Justinas Rastenis
- Justas Jackevičius
- Irmantas Klevinskas
- Lina Daukšaitė
- Ugnė Daraškevičiūtė
