On November 26th and 27th, the University of Porto hosted the “EUGLOH Living Lab Innovation in Transversal Skills” workshop, bringing together representatives from six universities within the EUGLOH Alliance – European University Alliance for Global Health. This event was part of the Alliance's Work Package 4, which focuses on employability, entrepreneurship, and lifelong learning, with a special emphasis on developing transversal skills.
The workshop highlighted the transformative concept of “Living Labs”, as envisioned by the European Commission. Within this working group, EUGLOH partners will pilot a “Living Lab”: a set of activities in immersive and experimental environments designed to develop transversal and multidisciplinary skills. These “living laboratories” consist of multidisciplinary “knowledge creating teams” responsible for pedagogical co-creation across the four pillars of the Knowledge Square — Education, Research, Innovation, and Service to Society.
The “EUGLOH Living Labs” contribute to broadening, internationalising and modernising educational opportunities, embedding innovative entrepreneurial learning, transversal and digital skills, and sustainability into curricula. These initiatives are guided by standards of excellence and aligned with the demands of a rapidly changing labour market and society. Furthermore, they involve external and non-academic partners in teaching and learning processes, ensuring sustainable connections, structured dialogue, and experiential methodologies that align education with real-world economic needs.
During the workshop, participants co-created six innovative courses featuring blended formats (in-person and virtual) and experimental, “challenge-based learning” methodologies. Highlights include initiatives such as “Making an Impact! Skills for Career Paths in and beyond Academia,” which explores professional trajectories both inside and outside academia, and “Designing the Classroom of the Future,” which leverages gamification to transform educational spaces.
These courses, accessible to all students, researchers, and staff across different fields and study cycles, will open the EUGLOH partners’ “classrooms” to global and multidisciplinary audiences, fostering internationalisation and pedagogical innovation. Additionally, responding to the European Commission’s challenge to develop complementary activities through alternative funding sources, the Alliance has invested in Blended Intensive Programmes (BIPs) as a tool to empower academics and develop joint methodologies for the Living Lab.
With the “EUGLOH Living Lab Innovation in Transversal Skills” workshop, EUGLOH partners reaffirmed their commitment to pedagogical innovation, the promotion of transversal skills, and the development of more flexible and personalised learning pathways. These efforts contribute to equipping students with the skills needed to face the demands of an ever-evolving and competitive professional world.
An Innovative and Transnational Catalogue
The first activity created under this initiative, “Making an Impact! Skills for Career Paths in and beyond Academia”, is led by the University of Hamburg (UHH), in collaboration with U.Porto and UAH. This course will enhance the acquisition of transversal skills such as communication and critical thinking, while exploring potential career paths after the “PhD Journey” — both within and beyond academia.
The second course, titled “Crafting my PhD Journey - from Motivation to Career Perspectives”, is the result of a collaboration between Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich (LMU), UHH, and Lund University (LU). The activity aims to strengthen decision-making skills and resilience, equipping participants with tools to better manage their academic and professional trajectories.
The third activity, “Data and Decision Making”, co-created by the University of Novi Sad (UNS), UAH, and U.Porto, focuses on equipping participants with digital skills and critical thinking through problem-solving exercises based on real-world scenarios.
Led by U.Porto, in close cooperation with UNS and the University of Paris-Saclay (UPSaclay), the course “Putting Students First: Designing the Classroom of the Future” promises participants a unique experience in solving real societal challenges using innovative methodologies such as hackathons and gamification. Trainees in this challenge will develop a range of transversal skills, including communication, leadership, and problem-solving.
The blended learning activity, “Digital and Informational Skills”, was developed by UAH in collaboration with U.Porto and UPSaclay. The course aims to equip participants with digital and informational skills, with a particular focus on artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and data analytics.
Finally, “Serious Games as a Tool for Global Health Education” will be led by LMU in collaboration with the University of Szeged (USZ) and U.Porto. This course will use gamification to explore real-world challenges in global health, engaging external stakeholders and promoting a practical and collaborative approach.
Training Opportunities and Future Prospects
All activities will include a limited number of vacancies for students, researchers, and staff affiliated with one of the EUGLOH Alliance partner universities. These courses will be part of the EUGLOH education offer for the 2025-2026 academic year and will be available on the Alliance’s website, ensuring that the broader academic community can participate in a flexible and inclusive way.