Representatives of the University of Ostrava ceremonially launched the NEOLAiA alliance of European universities and thus, the cooperation with eight other European universities on Wednesday, March 6, in the Concert Hall of the Faculty of Fine Arts and Music at the UO City Campus. UO Vice-Rector for International Relations Renáta Tomášková, who was instrumental in founding the alliance, introduced the project’s beginnings, cooperation within the alliance, its structures, and goals to the guests. Representatives from among academics, administrative staff, and students then shared their practical knowledge and experiences from international activities.

The NEOLAiA alliance brings close cooperation with eight universities from various European regions with the aim of connecting different perspectives, expertise, and resources. Part of the work of all young, socially responsible European universities is also to support innovation and positive changes in their regions.

“For me, NEOLAiA represents an opportunity to further integrate the University of Ostrava into the international environment, to transform it even more successfully and quickly so that internationalization is not just a question of the Centre for International Cooperation, not just a matter of mobilities often associated with this term, but so that internationalization permeates all agendas and activities of the University of Ostrava,” said UO Rector Petr Kopecký in his speech.

The project brings many new opportunities for all university staff and students. These include the development of pedagogical competencies and new inspiration for innovations in teaching, space for new mobility formats, or support for networking academics and doctoral students for sharing research practice and creating joint research projects. The NEOLAiA Open Science festival is also being prepared for next year, which will also be open to the wider public of Ostrava.

The meeting also included the presentation of appointment decrees to the main delegates of the alliance’s work packages by the Rector of the University of Ostrava. And what are these working groups exactly?

• Project Management and Coordination
• Teaching and Learning
• Diversity and Inclusion
• Enhanced Mobility
• Increasing Regional Research Impact
• Entrepreneurship
• Towards a Plurilingual and Intercultural European University
• Adopting and Sustaining Open Science
• Digital Transformation (Metaverse)
• Sustainability and Dissemination

The main coordination at the University of Ostrava is handled by the UO Centre for International Cooperation. Employees and students can use the unified email neolaia@osu.cz for communication or connection.

NEOLAiA is an alliance of nine young European universities that engage in global trends with their research, study offers, and commitment to society, collaborate in the European context, and at the same time, each sees its important role in its city and region. They want to contribute to the prosperity of regions outside the main European capitals and to make their inhabitants feel as a part of the European community.