Action areas within NEOLAiA
NEOLAiA’s activities are based on three main pillars that permeate work in education, research and collaboration:
- Digital transformation
- Diversity and inclusion
- Enhanced mobility
Global health is an overarching theme for NEOLAiA.
Read more on NEOLAiA’s website
Örebro University joined NEOLAiA in 2020 and has been leading the alliance's overall work since 2023. Vice-Chancellor Åke Ingerman chairs NEOLAiA’s governing board, while Pro-Vice-Chancellor Dimitri Beeckman chairs the alliance’s steering committee. At Örebro University, NEOLAiA’s activities are part of a broader internationalisation effort, led by Dimitri Beeckman and Ida Andersson-Norrie, who is the international strategy officer.
Work packages
Collaboration within NEOLAiA is organised in so-called work packages in areas such as teaching and learning, research, mobility, diversity and inclusion, plurilingualism, entrepreneurship and digitalisation. Each work package has an overseeing higher education institution (HEI) and working groups comprising delegates from all universities in the alliance. Overall project management issues are addressed in a separate work package. Örebro University leads the work package on research.
Teaching and learning
The universities in NEOLAiA design and offer joint courses and programmes. The goal is to develop teaching and support lifelong learning through flexible educational pathways. In this work package, we make it easier for students and teachers to study and collaborate across national borders. We are also developing systems to document and recognise participation in programmes and activities, using micro-credentials and digital badges.
Diversity and inclusion
For NEOLAiA, a positive approach to diversity is a core part of the alliance’s identity. This involves sharing experiences, overcoming barriers to participation, and raising awareness in society about issues related to diversity and inclusion.
NEOCharter – a common diversity policy promoting European values
Mobility
NEOLAiA offers students and researchers additional international exchange opportunities beyond the traditional Erasmus+ semester exchange. These include new approaches to studying and working together, such as courses that combine distance learning with short stays at a partner university (Blended Intensive Programmes, or BIPs), placements and networking, as well as staff exchange opportunities.
Research
A cornerstone of NEOLAiA is to promote international research cooperation and to boost the impact of research at the regional level. As part of the project, we develop a joint research strategy, create networks and support junior researchers, for example, through exchange and mentoring programmes. By sharing resources and infrastructure between universities, the collaboration contributes to higher quality and more opportunities for regional development.
Entrepreneurship
NEOLAiA aims to promote active societal engagement in our regions. We do this by supporting entrepreneurship and collaboration between academia and regional partners. This includes sharing experiences, offering mentoring, entrepreneurship training and more opportunities for students to test their business ideas.
Plurilingualism and interculturalism
Plurilingualism and interculturalism are important for the internationalisation of education and research. Within NEOLAiA, we are developing digital support and exchanges between teachers and students to strengthen skills in European culture and languages.
Open Science
Open science is about making research data and results available to researchers, students, and other stakeholders in society. Within the NEOLAiA collaboration, each university contributes open data to build a common knowledge base. This work package also includes the development of guidelines and technical solutions, as well as the involvement of groups outside academia through citizen science.
Digital transformation
Digitalisation is one of the three pillars of NEOLAiA. We need to develop our digital capabilities to shape the future of education and research. Digital transformation also means increasing participation and the use of digital technologies in society at large, particularly among underrepresented groups in the regions where the alliance operates.
Communication and outreach
Through openness and active communication, NEOLAiA aims to encourage the participation and engagement of students, researchers, staff and partners. Communication is organised by each institution, but the alliance also has a common website, social media and a newsletter.
