Community Building at the European Universities 

This staff training hosted by the European Digital UniverCity (EDUC) alliance brings together communication officers and community managers from European university alliances to face challenges in their field, share best practices, gain new skills and knowledge, and develop international partnerships.

25 Nov

Practical information

Any questions?

We welcome members from all European university alliances to three full days of combining professional development, best practise sharing, strategy building, development of international partnerships, and cultural experiences. 

The purpose of this administrative staff mobility is first and foremost to raise competence and share best practices within selected fields suited for Community Managers, Communication Officers and connected/similar positions within the European university alliances. 

The event takes place at USN Campus Kongsberg, in the center of the international technology city of Kongsberg, surrounded by stunning nature, and offering cutting-edge programs and industry partnerships, and holding the advantage of co-location with other entities, enhancing the campus's appeal and strategic position.

Training Venue: Bergseminaret​​​​​

Bergseminaret, under the name "The Royal Norwegian Mining Academy," was one of Europe's first institutions for higher education in mining engineering. It was founded in Kongsberg September 19, 1757, following a royal decree by King Frederick V, and operated until 1814.

Its founding marked a significant development in Norway's educational landscape, particularly in advancing technical and scientific knowledge.

The purpose was to strengthen Denmark-Norway's mining expertise and to elevate the level of competence at the Kongsberg Silver Mines. Until 1811, alongside the Military Academy in Christiania, Bergseminaret was the only educational institution in Norway offering higher education.

In December 2023, the international technology group KONGSBERG (kongsberg.com) purchased the historic building and jointly manages Bergseminaret with USN.

Together we carry forward Bergseminaret's legacy by continuing to emphasize engineering and technology education. USN benefits from Kongsberg's historical association with technical expertise, and its campus is strategically located in this city known for its high-tech industry. This relationship highlights USN's commitment to fostering innovation and maintaining strong ties with the region's historical educational roots.

 

Participation fee:

  • Free for EDUC staff members
  • 150 € incl.VAT/person for participants from non-EDUC universities

Funding: Local Erasmus+ Staff Mobility programme

  • Details for your Erasmus+ Staff Mobility application:
    • EDUC Community Manager at USN, Knut Jul Meland, (knut.jul.meland@usn.no / +47 913 98 085) will sign your application on behalf of USN
    • USN Erasmus code is N-KONGSBE 02
    • This is an interdepartmental event, but to simplify it on your Erasmus form, you can fill in USN International Relations Office as name of the department providing the event.

The participation fee includes: training program, 3 days of coffee breaks and lunches, tours and activities in Kongsberg, welcoming dinner, and a charity program.

The participation fee does not include: travel costs, accommodation, insurance, breakfasts and dinners, and other general and personal expenses. 

Extended stay: Whether to explore Norway, visit other USN campuses, or connect with specific communities and individuals at USN or among our partners, please feel free to reach out to educ@usn.no for assistance. 

Sign up

Deadline has now passed

Programme

Watch out for more details to come.

Monday 24 November: Travel day

18.00

Optional informal meet and greet (self funded)

Venue TBA

Tuesday 25 November: Involving industry/businesses/public sector + Fleshing out the best

08:30-09:00

Arrival and Registration

09:00-11:00

Morning Session

  • Welcome to Kongsberg

  • Welcome to USN

  • Welcome to EDUC

  • Icebreaking 

  • Refreshments
  • Best Practise Showcases: Active Community Engagement: Getting Regional Business and Industry Involved
    1. A Connection Point With Industry/Businesses/Public Sector 
      by Eivind Arne Fauskanger (USN) 
    2. Employability with EDUC 
      by Career Counselor Amy Tannum (bfk.no) from Karriere Buskerud (Career Buskerud), a career guidance service, run by Buskerud County Municipality (BFK), and EURES (European Employment Services) adviser Sandrine Beaudoin (nav.no) at NAV (Norwegian Labour and Welfare Administration) Arbeidslivssenter Vest-Viken.
    3. Effectivly and Efficiently Addressing the Need for Expertise by Developing Study Programmes in Close Collaboration with International Technology Group Kongsberg Gruppen (kongsberg.com)
      by Silja Merete Sverreson (USN)
    4. Using the industry as a laboratory
      by Monica Fagerlie (USN) from the Industrial Research School in Complex Systems (INRESCOS) (inrescos.usn.no) 

12:00-13:00

Lunch

13:00-15:30

Afternoon Session 

  • World Café / Thematic group work: "Community Building in European university alliances", what does it mean, and what are the expectations?
    • students
    • staff
    • surroundings

16:15-22.00

Evening Programme 

  • Informal welcome dinner in Festsalen (norskbergverkmuseum.no), 342 meter below the ground

Wednesday 26 November

Involving the Arqus way + Reaching out

09:00-12:00

Morning Session

  • Presentation: EDUC Student Involvement 
    by EDUC Support Manager Nancy Wegner and EDUC Community Manager Christiane Böker of the EDUC Team at the University of Potsdam
  • Presentation: Student to student communication
    by EDUC Communication Manager Dávid Molnár (pte.hu) and EDUC Student Ambassador Samantha Beaugrand (USN)
  • Refreshments
  • Best practices at the Arqus Alliance:
  1. The Alliance perspective: From the Arqus Central Comms Office
  2. Best practices at four Arqus universities: Staff, students and society 
  3. Practicalities: What worked, what didn’t? 
  4. Discussion 

12:00-13:00

Lunch

13.00-16.00

Afternoon session 

  • Workshop with Arild Tjomsland (usn.no): Identifying Best Practices for Societal Outreach in European University Alliances  

    • enhance collaboration and communication strategies across university alliances 

    • develop actionable strategies for improving community engagement and societal impact  

    • share and identify best practices for effective societal outreach  

  • Break

  • Introduction on storytelling: Using meeting places for visual speed presentations to engage audiences with their participation in and outcome from European university activities

  • Presentation: My mentor story 

18:00-21.00

Evening programme

  • Optional cultural experience: Winter embracing local cultural activity to promote informal networking and relaxation. 

Thursday 27 November

Inter-Alliance Collaboration + Community Building in Practise

07:30-08:30

Optional sauna 

09:00-12:

Morning session

  • Presentation: FOREU4LL Communication –Helping alliances and the wider higher education sector, by FOREU4ALL Communication & dissemination officer Paula Talero (FOREU4ALL)

  • Presentation: EUTOPIA – Communicating European Projects: Lessons from Practice, by EUTOPIA Community Manager Maud Simon (CY Cergy Paris Universitiy)

  • Best Practice Showcase: Successful initiatives of community-building and output-sharing across European universities, extending even beyond the academic community, by: EDUC Community Manager Carlotta Loi (University of Cagliari)

  • Refreshments

  • Group work: Identifying best practices for European university alliances: Making a summary, identyfing key takeaways and action items
  • Panel discussion: Sharing experiences, discussing lessons learned and future opportunities/commitments to ongoing collaboration and support + suggestion for future events
  • Campus tour

12:00-13:00

Lunch

13.00-16.00

Afternoon session

  • Charity programme: Charity community building programs are an integral part of the training, and we hope that all of us will enjoy their charity and community-building benefits. Choose amongst: 

    • Snow clearing/gritting for the elderly/disabled 
    • Waffle making at care home

19:00-21.00

Evening programme: Open Bar & Open Mic

Venue: Campus Kongsberg, Auditorium Becker

Optional, casual, and self cost gathering serving drinks and snacks + open mic and on stage easy going speed presentations by willing participants.

 

The bar closes at 21, but we may remain at the venue untill 22. 

Friday 28 November: Travel day

09:00-11:00

Morning session (only for EDUC participants)

  • Meeting: T6.1

  • Location: Campus Kongsberg, room number 5129 

From 12:00

Optional and self funded afternoon session 

  • Farewell hangout: For those awaiting departure. Venue TBA

 

Community Building at the European Universities