How we do it

How will Aurora transform our universities

Aurora will contribute to public dialogue as an innovative network of socially engaged research universities.

The Aurora Competence Framework will allow the integration of transversal skills and development of mind-sets throughout the curricula at all levels (Bachelor, Master, PhD, Microcredentials).

Through our pilot domains and SDG dashboard the focus on societal challenges and the SDGs will guide education, research and innovation, and service to society throughout our campuses.

The Aurora Institute and Aurora Expert Centres will be the articulation and support infrastructure for the transformation of Aurora Universities into a common new identity

Through our collaboration with universities in research-emerging regions in Europe by assisting these universities to develop their institutional capacity for academic excellence and societal relevance.

The Aurora Board and Aurora Student Board will form the core governance body of Aurora. With students in every Work Package Team and Task Team, the student voice will be firmly embedded in the Aurora. 

Pilot Domains

The Aurora programme reflects our vision in its four pillars:

• Sustainability & Climate Change
• Digital Society & Global Citizenship
• Health & Well-being
• Culture: Diversity & Identity

As well as developing the students' and teachers' awareness of Social Entrepreneurship and Innovation as targets, we will work to integrate the  development of important soft skills such as collaboration and teamwork, creative thinking, communication skills and leadership into our programmes.

Work Packages

Aurora's mission is articulated through 6 Work Packages that include 26 subgroups. 

Substantial Work Packages:

• WP 3 - Learning for Societal Impact, led by the University of East Anglia 
  This Work Package will change educational practice so that students will be learning for demonstrable and tangible societal impact.
• WP 4 - Engaging Communities, led by Rovira i Virgili University
  Make collaboration with external stakeholders and students regular practice in education, research and outreach - at local, national, European, and global levels.
• WP 5 - Sustainability Pioneers, led by University of Innsbruck
  We want our institutions to lead the way in incorporating the Sustainable Development Goals (SODAs) into their activities.

Technical Work Packages:

• WP 1 - Management & Leadership, led by VU Amsterdam
  This must be the first WP undertaken to ensure solid foundations for the follow-on learning.
• WP 2 - Quality Assurance, led by the University of Iceland
  This Work Package must be undertaken before the substantive learning to ensure quality throughout.
• WP 6 - Sustainability & Dissemination, led by the University of Napoli Federico II, in cooperation with Palacký University Olomouc.
  Outward and inward communication of good practices, experiences and results with other institutions and networks. It also stands for the sustainability and consolidation of the project as part of the European Education Area.