Since its inception five years ago, the
Unite! University Network for Innovation, Technology, and Engineering has thrived thanks to the collaborative efforts of its nine partner universities. Under the theme "Inspiring People - Sparking Innovation," these events aim to emphasise the collaboration between universities and society, as well as to showcase and disseminate the achievements of the alliance to a wider public.
As one of the pioneering European university alliances, the Unite! partners have been collaborating for five years and are now meeting for the tenth time in Darmstadt. The X Unite! Dialogue is a multifaceted event that addresses various target groups, providing working platforms for diverse stakeholders within the alliance. Furthermore, it also serves as an excellent opportunity to summarise the joint achievements and present them to the public during the II Unite! Branding Event, taking place on September 25.
The
Unite! Branding Event will allow participants to reflect on and discuss the impact of the European University Initiative on higher education, and consequently on science, society, and economy. The aim is to address current challenges, explore future aspirations, and highlight the most significant achievements of the alliance. Approximately 500 participants are expected, including attendees from the Rhine-Main region, Unite! partner universities, and their collaborators from Finland to Portugal, as well as high-ranking representatives from the European Commission. The conference will also be broadcasted via Unite! media channels, making it accessible to everyone interested in the initiative, its outcomes, and future prospects.
In contrast to the open character of the branding event, the
X Unite! Dialogue, taking place from September 24 to 26, consists of numerous internal working meetings involving the Unite! governing bodies and various working groups. Additionally, SURE! (Students in Unite! for Representation and Empowerment) and the Unite! Academic Forum will also hold their sessions. Furthermore, the interactive Unite! World Café will address the growing need for transversal exchange. Finally, the
European Day of Languages, organised in cooperation with the Language Resource Centre of TU Darmstadt, will focus on multilingualism and multiculturalism within and beyond the Unite! community.
The working part of the Dialogue will conclude with a plenary session, offering all working groups a platform to reflect on the past year, summarise the outcomes of the Dialogue, and outline future steps. This session will also showcase outstanding achievements in various fields. For the first time, the
Unite! Award will honour exceptional teams and individuals from all nine partner universities, acknowledging their remarkable commitment and accomplishments in implementing Unite! initiatives within their institutions.
The X Unite! Dialogue will culminate with the
Startup and Innovation Day 2024 (InnoDay24), hosted by TU Darmstadt's Innovation and Start-up Centre, HIGHEST. This well-established startup fair will also feature showcases from Unite! partner universities, providing a valuable opportunity to network with key stakeholders in the region and engage with the vibrant entrepreneurial community driving transformative ideas and ventures forward. Additionally, an international expert jury, comprising representatives from all Unite! partners and various sectors, will select the two best young start-ups for the
Unite! Startup Award. Therefore, while the startup fair will officially close the X Unite! Dialogue in Darmstadt, it will simultaneously highlight new ideas and opportunities for the alliance, contributing to its further development over the next five years and beyond.
