EUGLOH Strengthens Collaboration on Employability at Staff Week in Norway
From 4 to 6 March 2026, the Harstad campus of UiT hosted the EUGLOH Career Network International Staff Week, a joint initiative bringing together career services and employability experts from all partner universities of EUGLOH, the European University Alliance for Global Health.
Over the course of three days, around 30 participants – including academic staff, technical staff, and researchers – explored diverse approaches and practices in career services and skills development. They exchanged experiences, shared best practices, and developed joint strategies to support students, doctoral candidates, and early-career researchers across the Alliance. The event featured interactive sessions and workshops, as well as presentations from representatives of partner universities.
Exploring Best Practices Across the Alliance
The first day focused on mapping existing career support practices across EUGLOH universities. Participants analysed the structures and initiatives implemented in each institution, discussed internal challenges, and identified opportunities to improve engagement with employers and align with student expectations.
Collaborative discussions and workshops helped highlight strategic priorities for the Alliance, fostering an exchange of knowledge and practical solutions across diverse institutional contexts.
Preparing for the Future of Work
The second day was dedicated to developing skills for the future labour market. Sessions addressed European initiatives such as the Union of Skills, employer expectations for university collaboration, and the role of internships and practical learning in preparing students for professional life.
Participants engaged in group activities to discuss educational strategies and career pathways that align with evolving labour market needs, emphasizing a European perspective on employability and lifelong learning.
Supporting Early-Career Researchers
The third day focused on the professional development of doctoral candidates and early-career researchers. Sessions explored strategies for employability, transversal skills development, and European initiatives to expand career opportunities beyond academia.
Networking sessions and cultural activities further strengthened connections among participants, consolidating a collaborative European community dedicated to advancing employability and talent development within higher education.
Advancing Employability Across EUGLOH
As an outcome of the Staff Week, participants identified priorities and opportunities to enhance employability across the Alliance. Key conclusions included:
- The importance of integrating career development into institutional strategies – aligning education, skills development, and labour market engagement
- Strengthening collaboration with employers through internships, practical learning opportunities, and joint projects
- Supporting PhD candidates and early-career researchers in exploring diverse professional pathways, both within and outside academia
Participants also began developing strategic recommendations for employability and career development across the Alliance and identified opportunities for future collaborative initiatives, including training programmes, networking activities, and pilot projects to prepare students for the challenges of the future labour market.
These outcomes will inform upcoming activities of the EUGLOH Career Network, contributing to a more integrated European approach to career development in higher education and supporting students, doctoral candidates, and researchers in building sustainable and diverse career paths.
