17th DRC Summer School on Regional Co-operation 

"Shaping Tomorrow's Research:

What Future for Academia in the Danube Region?"

10. -16. July 2022, Vienna

• Discuss the most up-to-date issues with leading experts in the beautiful city of Vienna
• Publish your research in the IDM scientific journal “Der Donauraum”
• Be part of the IDM podcast production
• Connect with the participants of the DRC Strategic Foresight Project
• Cultural programme
• No registration fee, accomodation is provided!

General Topics of the Summer School:

Youth in academia – passive listeners or drivers for change? 

The role of students, graduates and early-stage researchers in academia is significantly shaped by the given institutional structures and processes at universities and research institutions. In the Danube Region, rigid hierarchy-based approach and institutional setting are predominantly established, thus effecting professional development of students as well as their cultural approach to – and their role in – academia. By challenging the academic status quo, university students and young researchers can prove to be the driving force for a cultural shift in academia stemming from a more participative and inclusive learning formats and university procedures. 

University autonomy and academic freedom – Regional perspective 

Particularly in young democratic systems of Central, Eastern and Southeastern European countries, the university autonomy and academic freedom become a victim to various socio-political pressures. While introducing political reforms and cultivating informal structures, the limitation, undermining or even destruction of autonomy of universities and research institutes happens to be a reality. This development results in decreasing of transparency and accountability of higher education in general. 

Education for a brighter future – role of research in policy-making 

In addition to education and research, higher education also plays a crucial role in transferring the latest, evidence-based knowledge and technology to the public and policy-makers. Facing the ever-increasing general distrust in science and the changing political-social climate, the resilience of universities and academia is coming to the test. Universities need to rethink the ways of enhancing the role of science in the decision-making processes both on national and European levels.

Learning and mobility in the shadow of the war – considerations and challenges 

According to the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine, more than 1600 educational institutions were affected by the war in Ukraine. Almost 50 pre-higher and higher education buildings and around 58 scientific facilities have been significantly damaged, amounting to nearly 15% of the research infrastructure of higher education and research institutions in Ukraine. The conflict in Ukraine serves as an example of the broader impact of the war on local universities and institutions and sheds light on the interplay between conflict, education, mobility, asylum and migration.

Application deadline: 31. May 2022

Language of instruction: English 

APPLY NOW BY FILLING OUT THE APPLICATION FORM! 

DRC Vice-President and EUA board member Prof. Dr. Ivanka Popović, DRC Vice-President and Rector of the University of Continuing Education Krems (UWK) Mag. Friedrich Faulhammer and the DRC Secretary General and IDM Managing Director Mag. Sebastian Schäffer attended the Annual Conference of the European University Association (EUA) in Budapest.

From April 28th to 29th, 2022, various expert presentations were given on the general topic "University values: what, why and how?" at the University of Technology and Economics Budapest. In the breakout session "Strategic Framework instead of Strategy - an institution-wide approach to drive values into reality", Mag. Friedrich Faulhammer presented the further strategic development of the UWK as a "best practice" model.  The "Spotlight on Ukraine", touching upon the effects of the war on educational and research institutions as well as the experiences of a professor who had to flee her academic institution for the second time after 2014, was particularly impressive for the DRC representatives. 

Between the 27th and 29th of March, twenty bright minds from all over Europe have gathered in Vienna for developing possible scenarios concerning the future of research and higher education in the Danube Region. 

After getting numerous insights on strategic foresight methodology provided by our guest professors during the lectures, participants have worked within their assigned group and dealt with four different thematic areas: University Autonomy and Governance, Science and Learning in Digital Era, Scientific Research for European Decision Making, and Employability of Students and Early-stage researchers.

It was just the first meeting, but the proactiveness of the participants, as well as the early results they have already brought, clearly show that the project outcome will be a valuable contribution to analysing what is ahead of us when it comes to the future scenarios of higher education in the region! 

Therefore, we thank all the participants for being a great group of young researchers and for bringing their enthusiasm to Vienna, the visiting lecturers for the valuable inputs provided, and the IDM team for implementing the project!

The first in-person meeting is just the beginning of the project, which will continue throughout the upcoming months. Don't forget to follow our social media channels to keep on track of it! 

Announcement for the

“Sharing Future”

Artist in residence scholarship 2022

of the International Elias Canetti Society

Funded by the Danube Rectors’ Conference

The Canetti Artist Scholarship is aimed at artists from all over Europe. The fact that it is also advertised to artists from neighboring countries – from the Western Balkans and Turkey, should, in particular, provide opportunities for international, artistic exchange. Various different forms of arts should be fostered by the scholarship: painters, photographers, writers, performance artists, translators, and musicians can apply for it.

The slogan of the scholarship “Sharing Future” aims at a collaborative creation and cooperation for a joint Europe and a common future.

The funding period of the scholarship is one month.

The scholarship holder can

• pursue his/ her artistic work undisturbed in the spring/summer of 2022 in Ruse
• use the historic Canetti house as a workplace with various possibilities for artistic expression using the space (http://eliascanetti.org/bg/dom-kaneti-2/)
• get to know the local cultural scene in Ruse and Bulgaria and use the resulting synergies and artistic realization
• live in an apartment provided by the IECS
• receive 1200 € for contribution and 300 for € travel expenses or 1500 € for both combined. Project-related expenses are to be covered within this amount. 

The application with all documents should be sent to eliascanetti@eliascanetti.org no later than 30.4.2022.

More information on the scholarship as well as submission process can be found on the webpage of the Elias Canetti Society.

On behalf of Uzhorod National University,  the Rector Professor Volodymyr Smolanka express his high appeciation for the DRC assistance towards Ukrainian universities. In particular, the University express gratitude for the support offered by the Danube Rectors' Conference in the form of the DRC Scholarship for Ukranian scholars and scientists.