In the age of information, the ability to transform raw data into compelling visual stories is invaluable. The Data Visualisation and Presentation micromodule is designed to empower you with the skills and knowledge needed to communicate data effectively through visual representation. This micromodule combines theoretical foundations with practical applications.

The goal of this micromodule is to provide the fundamental concepts and techniques of data visualisation using the R package ggplot2 and to enable you to present and communicate with data visuals effectively.

Throughout this micromodule, you will gain a deeper understanding of data visualisation principles and practical experience using the R package ggplot2. By the end of this micromodule, you can create customised visualisations that go beyond basic charts and graphs.

In the first half, you will learn about data analysis fundamentals and the appropriate use of various charts for different data types. This knowledge will help you enhance your visuals and avoid common mistakes. In the second half, you will create visualisations using the R package ggplot2.

By participating in this micromodule you will acquire skills to transform raw data into compelling visual stories, enabling them to make impactful presentations and decisions based on data-driven insights.

Member universities may require additional information from applicants. Please read the application information section carefully and include any extra required information in this section.

Other

Kaunas University of Technology

Data Visualisation and Presentation​

Improve your data visualisations

Entrepreneurship, technology and innovation

Critical and innovative thinking

Media and information literacy

Wind Town (www.vejomiestelis.lt) is a visionary project developed by SBA Urban, part of one of the largest Lithuanian business groups, SBA. Since 2007, SBA Urban has delivered over 226,000 sq. m. of exceptional spaces, including internationally recognized projects such as Unity Square and the BLC business center in Kaunas, the iconic Nemunaičiai district, and the Green Hall business hub in Vilnius.

With a passion for architectural aesthetics and sustainability, SBA Urban collaborates with global architecture leaders to create innovative buildings that transform cities, enhance communities, and set new standards for design.

SBA Urban ultimate goal is to enhance understanding of local biodiversity by developing advanced tools to identify and monitor bird species around Wind Town. These solutions will empower communities to make informed decisions that protect wildlife and contribute to the long-term preservation of fragile ecosystems.

This challenge is an opportunity to combine cutting-edge technology with nature-focused initiatives. Whether through digital tools, data-driven systems, or interactive applications, we aim to create solutions that are practical, engaging, and impactful.

Your solutions will not only help monitor bird life but also inspire communities to better understand, appreciate, and protect the natural world around them. By taking part, you’re shaping the future of sustainable development and biodiversity conservation.

Motivation letter is a personal statement and it might include a brief introduction of yourself, explanation why are you interested in the learning opportunity you are applying to, any relevant experience or skills that you have, your goals and how this opportunity will help you achieve them, This document should not be more than 400 words.

Motivation Letter

Transcript of Records is an official document issued by your home university. It specifies the name of the institution, the academic programme you are enrolled in, the list of courses taken up until the current period, the exams or tests you passed, the grades and the credits you earned. 

Transcript of Records

Track birds, empower informed biodiversity decisions

How can we empower communities to make better choices that protect wildlife?

Inter-personal skills

“Vilniaus šilumos tinklai” is the largest central heating company in the Baltic States. The desire to be innovative, efficient, and competitive is inseparable from our daily operations. We constantly rethink our business models, technological solutions, and explore creativeways to utilize our capacities throughout the year.  

One of the key challenges we face today is the efficient utilization of heat during the summer months. Due to seasonality, the demand for heating drops significantly, yet there remains untapped potential. Market conditions, such as the low price of biomass and the availability of waste heat from industrial processes and cooling units, present a unique opportunity: we have the capacity to act, but lack a clear direction for the best use of this excess heat.  

Could the solution lie within our own sector, related industries, or even in entirely new and innovative applications outside the energy domain? Solving this challenge would help us reduce operational seasonality, improve efficiency, and contribute to a more sustainable use of resources.  

Our goal is to discover innovative solutions to effectively utilize excess heat during the summer season. These solutions can range from ideas within the energy sector to creative, cross-industry applications.  

The energy sector is a field where technological advancement and innovation intersect with sustainability and purpose. The solutions implemented in the sector not only affect companies as economic entities but also have a significant impact on the overall goal of sustainability and a cleaner world.

From Waste to Worth: Harnessing Excess Summer Heat

What is the best way to use cheap summer surplus heat of district heating?

During the module, participants will learn the principles, types, strategies and operational conditions of circular business models, which are necessary for them to function effectively in different business contexts and to generate a positive impact on local communities. Participants will gain practical competences on how to apply the circular business model canvas and develop an environmental, social and corporate governance (ESG) reporting strategy based on a double materiality assessment. This aspect focuses on how companies can effectively report on their sustainability practices and impacts.

The module content is connected to real-world applications as:

- the need to transition to circular business models is a reality. Consumers and employees want businesses to invest in making significant sustainable improvements to the environment and society.
- 76% of consumers say they will stop buying from companies that treat the environment, employees, or the community in which they operate poorly.
- the future of corporate sustainability reporting is all about communicating impact, not statistics”.

Unique features of the micromodule are related to the:

- Real world, real impact: explore case studies of circular business models and apply hands-on activities to design (redesign) business models with circular innovation
- Measure success: master the art of ESG reporting. It's not just about profit; it's about making a positive impact on the world.

This micromodule can be extremely relevant for:

- Business professionals seeking to (re)design sustainable and circular business models.
- Students and academics in business, sustainability, and related fields.
- Policymakers and sustainability consultants.

Circular Business Model

Be a sustainability champion: dive into the exciting world of circular business models and learn how to transform businesses into forces for good!

Circular economy

Effective decision-making requires tools for evaluating choices. This module provides the basic tools for evaluating costs and benefits of decision-making through project financial and social-economic analysis. Almost every company and various governing bodies require a cost-benefit analysis to ensure that the right decisions are made with limited resources. Whether these decisions relate to investment projects or broader social policy, it is essential that these choices are evaluated to ensure an optimal outcome.

This module is designed to provide students with the analytical and critical thinking skills required to carry out a financial and social-economic project evaluation. By developing these skills, the student should be able to evaluate projects in the environment around us.

Socio-Economic Evaluation of Projects​

It is essential for every company and various governing bodies that projects’ choices would be evaluated to ensure an optimal outcome

Intra-personal skills

In today's landscape, a substantial adoption of high-value Artificial Intelligence (AI) use cases is reshaping the ways businesses operate. While some professionals excel as leaders or managers despite lacking technical expertise, others possess formidable technical abilities but lack a deeper understanding of the business context. It is within this juncture that this distance learning micro-module becomes invaluable.

Designed to bridge the gap between business acumen and technical proficiency, this micro-module is designed for Bachelor and Master students aiming to enhance their expertise in AI applications in business. The micro-module aims to develop competences necessary to leverage AI techniques proficiently, equipping learners with a comprehensive understanding of AI's practical applications and use cases in business.

The learning outcomes encompass the ability to discern appropriate AI techniques, spanning computer vision, deep neural networks, generative models, machine learning, and more, all tailored to specific business objectives and diverse conditions across human resources, finance, marketing, operations, and inventory management. Learners will also showcase ethical and robust handling of AI's impact on business practices.

Beyond theoretical knowledge, the micromodule places a strong emphasis on hands-on projects, enabling learners to master essential tools for AI project management, AI-powered financial planning, intelligent process automation, and AI-powered content generation. The micro-module provides interactive, hands-on learning that will make learners not just learn but truly understand and master the subject.

While this micro-module may not be the perfect fit for individuals already well-versed in AI applications in business, for those seeking to enhance their AI skills and integrate them into diverse business domains, this micro-module provides a unique opportunity for both career growth and educational advancement. Upon completion, learners will emerge with a nuanced understanding of AI and the practical skills necessary to navigate its integration within various business contexts.

AI for Business

Bridge the gap between business acumen and technical proficiency

Energy and sustainability

The first working laser was demonstrated in 1960, and afterward, the development of intense light sources has evolved rapidly opening a variety of possibilities for applications starting from the laser scanners in shops or laser printers in offices and ending with extremely intense and short duration (down to attoseconds, 10-18s) pulsed light sources for groundbreaking research. The importance of the laser-related research field was acknowledged by several Nobel prizes in Physics given for the development of the laser itself and more recently for advances in pulsed laser development via chirped pulse amplification method and laser applications like manipulation of micro-objects. This micro-module is devoted to attendees interested in emerging technologies in photonics and does not require more than basic knowledge of physics. In this micro-module, you will learn the principles of laser operation and will find out the variety of application possibilities of ultrafast laser sources in scientific research as well as in commercial products. You’ll be able to explain why ultra-short laser pulses are necessary for creating high-tech products.

Laser Principles and Applications

Ignite the laser emission and light up the pathways for its emerging applications

Have you ever found yourself wondering why working with other people sometimes is challenging?

This is because we are different, especially if we are from different cultures, each with its own traditions, clothing, habits, and language. In 2023, there were approximately 3.4 billion global employees, compared to 2.28 billion employees in 1991 - an increase of more than 1 billion people in 22 years. Therefore, intercultural communication and work in intercultural teams have become essential skills to be acquired due to globalisation and spreading internationalisation. Developing these skills becomes an advantage for a more successful start of a professional career.

In the micro-module “Intercultural Teamwork” we uncover the features of working together in teams with people from different cultures.

Everyone interested in teamwork and cultural differences is invited to join this course. You do not need to have any specific skills to participate.

At the end of the micro-module:

1. You will become acquainted with team-working phases and the intercultural differences that influence collaborative decision-making.
2. You will gain practical skills related to the principles of intercultural and virtual teamwork.

Are you ready to start this learning journey?

Intercultural Teamwork

Mastering Intercultural Teamwork: a Practical Virtual Course

Global citizenship

The Time Management Essentials micro-module provides you with skills necessary for navigating the demands of academic life. As students, you have to find a balance between numerous courses, their assignments, and extracurricular activities, thus, effective time management becomes of great importance. By learning to create realistic schedules and develop effective study habits, you can enhance your productivity and reduce stress. Moreover, these time management skills go beyond the academic realm and prepare you for the complexities of professional life.

Time Management Essentials

Own your time to enhance efficiency and fulfilment

Biomaterials play an essential role in improving healthcare and quality of life. This micro-module, Introduction to Biomaterials, provides a clear and accessible pathway to understanding inorganic biomaterials and their applications in medicine. Whether you are a student of engineering, medicine, or another related field, this course offers an opportunity to explore how materials science contributes to solving real-world medical challenges.

The micro-module focuses on key concepts, including the structure, properties, and applications of inorganic biomaterials such as metals, ceramics, and polymers. You will learn how these materials interact with the human body and how they are used in medical devices, implants, and emerging technologies like nanomedicine. Over six weeks, we will guide you step-by-step through topics like biomaterial classification, their physical and chemical properties, and the factors influencing their compatibility with living tissues.

Our goal is to provide you with the knowledge and skills needed to evaluate biomaterials for specific applications. By completing this course, you will gain practical experience in selecting and analysing materials, understanding their limitations, and exploring future developments in the field.

This micro-module connects scientific principles with healthcare solutions. By joining, you will build a solid foundation that can help you in academic studies or professional practice. Be part of a learning experience that equips you to contribute to advancements in medical technology and to make a difference in people’s lives.

Introduction to Biomaterials ​

Unlocking the Potential of Inorganic Biomaterials for a Healthier Future

Modern societies are striving for a smarter, more connected, and more sustainable future. This is the main incentive for the development of new technologies and production principles.

Therefore, it is time to rethink manufacturing. This is necessary not only to survive the "turbulent times", but also to maintain and improve the competitiveness of companies and their ability to meet the needs of society and consumers.

In this module you will learn about smart digital manufacturing, innovation processes, advanced production and organisation methods, sustainable manufacturing principles and the challenges of manufacturing transformation. You will be able to recognize the need for technological transformation, evaluate the potential of technologies, and create both technological and non-technological innovations aimed at fostering human-centred, resilient, and sustainable manufacturing. You will develop your skills thru a case study, where you will have to analyse and choose the best solution to the problem. This will allow you to focus your analytical skills and creativity to look at the manufacturing industry from a new, sustainable perspective. The knowledge and skills gained in this course will help you to propose solution for development of sustainable and digital manufacturing, transformation of manufacturing. The module consists of 6 topics and we will discuss Rethinking Manufacturing: challenges and opportunities; Supply Chain Transformation; Developing Multifunctional Digital Manufacturing; Sustainability in Industry 5.0 and Connecting Manufacturing to Customer Experience.

Rethinking Manufacturing

It's time to rethink manufacturing

The micromodule is designed for students, lifelong learners, people seeking personal development, people looking for new hobbies or interests: everyone who is interested in mathematics and wants to know the possibilities of its use in architecture and art.

The challenge for learners is to learn how to use math software to draw shapes and recognize different types of structures in buildings. The good thing is that you will not need a very specific initial knowledge of mathematics and even if you are afraid of mathematics this module is for you. One of the challenges of the module is to show how precise mathematical objects are used in historical and contemporary buildings and at the same time to show the scope of mathematics.

During the micromodule you will get knowledge about proportions, golden section, symmetry, projective geometry, second-order curves, and surfaces and how they can be used in architectural objects. By providing examples and allowing you to choose your own chosen buildings for analysis, specific to the local culture or chosen style you like.

Mathematics in Architecture

How to recognise special structures in buildings: a brief virtual course with practise

This micro-module will introduce the students to the concepts of entity relationship modeling. After completing the micro-module, students will be able to analyze and define entities that compose a chosen domain and develop an entity relationship model using Unified Modeling Language. The developed models can be used as a generalized list of concepts of a domain or be used as a basis for database development.

Entity Relationship Modelling

Defining entities and their interactions are essential in understanding the scope and relations existing in the given domain

In the micro-module our goal is clear: to empower you with the skills and insights necessary to drive innovation forward in your field.

Objective: The primary aim of this micro-module is to equip you with the ability to evaluate, assess, and effectively implement innovative ideas.

Why It Matters: Innovation is not just about creativity; it's about making a tangible impact. The single most important aspect of this micro-module is its focus on practical application. You'll learn not only to recognize promising innovations but also to navigate the complexities of adoption. This ability is crucial for anyone aspiring to lead transformative change in their organization or community.

Key Benefits: By the end of this module, you'll have gained:

- A deep understanding of different types of innovations and their implications for progress.

- The skills to assess innovation strategies and their potential to solve complex problems.

- Practical knowledge in navigating adoption approaches to foster creativity and drive success.

Why Choose This Micro-Module: Choosing this micro-module means choosing to invest in your ability to innovate effectively. Whether you're aiming to advance your career or lead impactful projects, the insights and skills gained here will set you apart. Join us in accelerating innovation and shaping a brighter future through informed and strategic adoption practices.

Accelerating Innovation Adoption​

Accelerating Innovation Adoption: Strategies for Rapid Implementation and Success

The importance of project management is constantly growing. Project management methodologies play a pivotal role in driving transformations across diverse domains, fostering innovation, and realizing strategic objectives.  Project success is measured by criteria such as scope, time, cost, quality and stakeholder satisfaction.  The project management golden triangle, a fundamental construct in this discipline, comprises three interlinked variables - scope, cost, and time - that collectively determine the project's quality. To achieve project success in various businesses and manage those three elements, the project manager must have a deep understanding of each element and where they have the opportunity to be flexible to accommodate changes throughout the project.

Golden Triangle: Scope, Time and Cost in Project Management​

Key tools and techniques for project success

What all machines have in common is that they all perform mechanical movements. The micro-module is intended to develop an understanding of the basic structure of mechanical parts of machines, i.e. how motion is obtained in machines. If we are concerned about mobility, or the system that allows motion, we see the core component in it – a machine that performs mechanical motion. The micro-module presents an overview of the main types of mechanisms used in machinery, their kinematical and load capacity properties. Special focus is made on gear mechanisms developing abilities to calculate the necessary power to get the desired motion under loads caused by it, select the mechanism structure, to analyze motion parameters.

Basics of Machinery Mechanics

Systemized Summary how Machines perform mechanical movements and transform energy, materials or information

Transport and Mobility

Embark on a journey through the micro-module of **Creative Intelligence**, where you'll explore the art of innovative problem-solving. This course is designed to empower you with the skills to think creatively and leverage it for problem solving in organizational level.

Micromodule is structured in such a way that you could acquire knowledge and skills about creative intelligence from two perspectives:

- Firstly, you will be able to deconstruct the concept of creative intelligence within the context of the modern world. This will broaden your knowledge and open creative thinking, allowing you to see more deeply into the complexity of various phenomena and understand the mechanisms of successful operation in the contemporary world.

- Secondly, to foster creative intelligence and enhance a modern organization's competitiveness through innovation, it's crucial to establish specific conditions via creative leadership. As a result, you will have the chance to practice the prerequisites for expressing creative intelligence within the organization.

Creative Intelligence

Empower the Art of Creative thinking for problem solving

“Vilniaus šilumos tinklai” is one of the largest district heating companies in the Baltic States. The company’s customers are the residents of Vilnius, and every day, services are provided to nearly 220,000 Vilnius clients, heating almost 7,500 buildings. We not only provide heat to the city’s residents but also heat for hot tap water. The consumption of hot water during the day has its peaks and managing them is crucial whole year. A sudden increase in hot water usage places a heavy load on the production chain, which also needs to maintain the temperature required for heating. While managing this is a technical necessity, it also impacts customer satisfaction, energy efficiency, and the broader goals of sustainability.  

What possible solutions, using technologies or other means, could help manage consumption peaks and minimize their impact?  

We aim to discover innovative, actionable solutions to manage hot water consumption peaks more effectively and minimize their impact on our production chain. These solutions may include technological innovations, smart systems, or creative non-technical approaches.  

The energy sector is a field where technological advancement and innovation intersect with sustainability and purpose. The solutions implemented in the sector not only affect companies as economic entities but also have a significant impact on customers satisfaction and the overall goal of sustainability and a cleaner world.  

This is more than just a challenge—it’s a chance to solve a real-world problem for one of the largest district heating companies in the Baltic States. By participating, you’ll gain valuable experience in tackling complex issues, working with industry-relevant scenarios, and contributing to meaningful solutions that can shape the future of energy management.

Shaping the Future of District Heating

How to manage short-term consumption peaks using available technological innovations?

Do you know how radiation impacts your daily life?  

Micromodule Radiation and its Applications will offer you a unique perspective to understand the main benefits and risks of ionizing radiation and will help to disclose radiation-related myths and facts.

This micromodule provides an overview of radiation types and their interaction mechanisms, discusses the impact of radiation on the environment and individuals, radiation protection and safety concepts, and introduces applications of radiation in the medical field.

You will enhance your understanding of radiation physics, discover radiation technologies and radiation assessment methods, learn how to evaluate radiation exposure and calculate related radiobiological risks.

Radiation and its Applications​

The Power of Radiation: Innovations Shaping our Daily Life

Today's world is characterised by increasing social and professional mobility and extensive contact among people who are often not only distant in terms of space, but are also culturally different from each other. As a consequence, ‘contact and interaction (physical and virtual) between diverse peoples, languages, cultural models, media and practices’ have now become the norm rather than an exception. Naturally, these developments have inevitable repercussions: on the one hand, they affect the ways in which people communicate in settings that involve participation of individuals with different cultural and linguistic backgrounds; on the other hand, the way communication and language as such are understood also become less stable.

Skills for Effective Cross-Cultural Communication

Bridging Cultures: Master the Art of Understanding and Connection

During Circular Economy for Sustainability micro-module, participants will gain an advanced knowledge and critical understanding of the concept and principles of circular economy and sustainability. This involves a paradigm shift in business, politics, science and society in general. Participants will be also trained to characterise and specify circular economy enablers and strategies. This includes understanding the fundamental conditions required for the circular transformation of organisations and ecosystems.

The module will guide participants in to circular economy ecosystems grouped into three distinct categories based on their system interactions and flows as well as their system-level goals, with five distinct types of ecosystems, namely: material flow-based industrial and urban ecosystems, knowledge flow-based entrepreneurial and knowledge ecosystems, and economic value flow-based innovation ecosystems.

Circular Economy for Sustainability​

Let’s start the circular revolution

Ever wonder how your brain actually works? What exactly is going on inside of your small, wrinkly mass while you read this text?  Keeping muscles fit and powerful requires hard work. The same concept holds true for your brain, an amazing organ with the ability to change, adapt and get stronger. According to a new study by the researchers from University College in London, recent advances in generative AI help to explain how memories enable us to learn about the world, re-live old experiences and construct totally new experiences for imagination and planning. This message came from the understanding human cognitive neuroscience. As the cognitive neuroscience examines the biological processes that help us to understand complex mental functions such as memory, language, emotion, perception, attention, and consciousness. While psychology focuses on understanding the structure of the mind through behavioural experiments. The aim of the micromodule is to provide knowledge and develop abilities in the assessment of competencies using cognitive neuroscience techniques. At the end of the micromodule students will be able to understand concepts, rules, and procedures of cognitive neuroscience. The playing role of attention, motivation, and sensory adaptation in different kind of perception will be explained. By networking to understand memorization, attention, and decision-making process in uncertain scenarios. Also, be able to articulate strategies for fostering critical thinking and explain the relationship between critical thinking and innovation.

Cognitive Neuroscience​

Cognitive neuroscience provides a window on how the structure of the mind through behavioural experiments processes occur

In this course we will look to the AI impact on consumer behaviour from two different perspectives: consumer and company / brand. The main theories which help to understand consumer acceptance of technology will also be presented. The micromodule is interdisciplinary and covers marketing, business, consumer psychology, and technology disciplines.

Each week, students will be engaged in video lectures, quizzes, readings, discussion forums, and case study analyses. These activities are designed to expand students’ knowledge, and to encourage and strengthen their critical thinking skills. The combination of these learning elements will contribute significantly to the students' understanding of the subject matter and foster the development of their analytical and critical thinking abilities.

The relevance of this micromodule lies in its timely exploration of the relationship between AI and consumer behaviour, addressing current industry needs and preparing students for the challenges and opportunities presented by the evolving landscape of digital marketing.

AI and Consumer Behaviour ​

AI's impact on consumer behaviour

Have you ever considered how the European Union's ambitious goal to become the world's first climate-neutral continent by the 2050s will impact industries and entire value chains? What new structures and strategies for circular value and supply chains will emerge? What governance modes, value chains, transformation scenarios, and new stakeholders will appear? And how intense their engagement needs to be to make the value of the supply chains circle?

The micromodule provides the latest theoretical and practical knowledge on how to successfully support the entire value or supply chain in becoming more circular and sustainable. This micromodule covers four major and interconnected topics: the transformation of global value chains challenged by sustainability pressure; the concept of circular value and supply chains as pivotal elements for industries to become more circular; the concept of stakeholder engagement as a cornerstone for integrating circular practices throughout the value chain; and the main enablers supporting the transformation of entire value or supply chains towards greater circularity and sustainability.

The module's content directly aligns with real-world scenarios. Europe aims for a competitive and climate-neutral economy. The imperative for value or supply chains to be circular and sustainable is undeniable and driven by the necessity to mitigate climate change, improve resource efficiency, reduce waste, comply with regulations, align with consumer preferences, and ensure long-term economic viability and resilience.

Circular Value Chains​

Is designed for everyone, who wants to take on the challenge of transforming the entire value or supply chain to become more circular and sustainable

**Develop Sustainable Nanotechnology Solutions with a Global Team**

This course challenges you to co-create innovative, eco-friendly products using nanotechnology tools. Working in international and multidisciplinary teams, you’ll tackle real-world challenges with guidance from expert teachers. Your mission: to design a green product that contributes to solving society’s most pressing issues.

**Why Nanotechnology?**

Nanotechnology plays a pivotal role in sustainable development, offering solutions for **clean water, air, soil, and energy**—key pillars of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. By integrating advanced technology with a multidisciplinary approach, this course equips you with the skills to address global challenges collaboratively.

**What You’ll Do:**

- **Focus on four key areas:** Develop sustainable products targeting **water** purification, remediation, and reuse; **air** purification; **soil**remediation; and **energy** solutions.
- **Apply what you learn:** Use life cycle analysis and recyclability principles to design impactful solutions.
- **Collaborate globally:** Work in an international team to solve problems and learn to navigate cultural and time-zone differences.

**Skills You’ll Gain:**

Through a challenge-based learning approach, you’ll master teamwork, time management, and product development. You’ll also learn to apply academic knowledge to real-world problems, ensuring your solutions are both innovative and actionable.

Join this Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) course and be part of a global effort to create a sustainable future through nanotechnology! For more information, contact Arturo Susarrey Arce (a.susarreyarce@utwente.nl).

CV (Curriculum Vitae) is a document that summarizes your educational and professional history. It must provide a detailed overview of your academic and work experience, skills, achievements, and qualifications.

University of Twente

Sustainable Nanotechnology

Help co-create sustainable solutions using nanotechnology tools.

This challenge is a collaboration between 6 ECIU universities: UAB (Spain), KTU (Lithuania), UiS (Norway), Unitn (Italy), INSA (France), and UT (the Netherlands). This means you get to gain knowledge from experts of all these different universities! This is therefore a unique opportunity that offers multiple perspectives and an intercultural experience.

### Why do Interculturality and Citizen Science matter?

Interculturality is a crucial skill in today’s globalized world, enabling effective communication and collaboration across cultural boundaries. It fosters empathy, helps navigate differences with respect, and is essential for addressing global challenges like climate change and migration. In professional settings, intercultural competence is highly valued, supporting teamwork in diverse and international contexts. Personally, it enriches your worldview, enhances self-awareness, and opens you to new perspectives. By embracing interculturality, you contribute to a more inclusive and collaborative global society.

This brings us to Citizen Science as well, which democratizes knowledge by engaging the public in scientific research. It bridges the gap between academia and society, empowering citizens to contribute to solutions for the mentioned pressing issues like climate change. By combining diverse cultural perspectives with participatory research, we can create inclusive, innovative solutions that truly resonate with and benefit global communities. Together, Interculturality and Citizen Science inspire collaborative action and a shared responsibility for the future.

### What you'll do

When you get accepted to this challenge, you will automatically also get all the information and learning activities of the online micro-module "Introduction to Citizen Science". That part has a study load of 1 ECTS, the other 3 ECTS will come from the Citizen Science project and mandatory mobility week.

**Please only apply to one of the two: this challenge OR the micro-module Introduction to Interculturality.**

**Introduction to Interculturality**

This online part is designed to give you a comprehensive understanding of interculturality through a structured blend of expert-led lectures and interactive discussions. There are three thematic blocks, each building on the previous one to create a cohesive learning experience:

**Block 1: Understanding cultural differences**

You’ll start by exploring foundational theories of culture, learning what defines and distinguishes cultures around the world. This block highlights the importance of cultural diversity in today’s globalized world, helping you develop an awareness of how cultural differences shape interactions and perceptions.

**Block 2: Global perspectives**

In this section, you’ll examine the effects of migration, media representation, and the concept of global Englishes. These topics will give you a broader perspective on how cultural narratives evolve and influence societies across the globe. You’ll gain insights into how these factors contribute to both challenges and opportunities in intercultural communication.

**Block 3: Practical intercultural skills**

The final block focuses on practical workshops to equip you with effective communication techniques for interacting across cultures. You’ll learn how to navigate cultural nuances in professional and personal settings, ensuring your interactions are respectful, clear, and impactful.

By the end of this part of the course, you’ll have a deeper understanding of cultural theories, a global perspective on societal changes, and the practical tools to engage effectively in intercultural settings. This combination of theoretical and hands-on learning prepares you to adapt in diverse environments and address the complexities of global communication

**Citizen Science Project**

You will select a preferred Citizen Science project from a curated list, which serves as the focus of your group work. The project groups are formed based on these preferences, ensuring diverse and multidisciplinary teams. Over the course of the challenge, you:

- Explore the core concepts of Citizen Science through expert-led sessions on its methodologies, applications, and potential impact;
- Investigate your selected Citizen Science project to understand its design, research goals, and current level of citizen engagement;
- Develop an outreach strategy aimed at increasing citizen participation, taking into account cultural diversity, ethical considerations, and inclusivity.

**Mobility week**

A key highlight of the challenge is the **mandatory** mobility week, during which students come together on-site to collaborate intensively, interact with project researchers, and participate in workshops that enhance their project outcomes.  

Scheduled in the seventh week of the challenge, the mobility week is a pivotal moment for team collaboration and cultural immersion. Held at the University of Twente, this week includes:

- Meetings with researchers from the selected Citizen Science projects.
- Workshops on interculturality, citizen engagement, and other relevant skills.
- Time for cultural exchange, group work, and networking with peers from other universities.

Students will also have the chance to pitch their initial ideas, gaining feedback from experts and refining their plans.

Intercultural Competences through Citizen Science Challenge

Contribute to ongoing Citizen Science projects while enhancing your intercultural skills.

This micro-module is a collaboration between 6 ECIU universities: UAB (Spain), KTU (Lithuania), UiS (Norway), UniTn (Italy), INSA (France), and UT (the Netherlands). This means you get to gain knowledge from experts of all these different universities! This is therefore a unique opportunity that offers multiple perspectives and an intercultural experience.

### **Why learning about interculturality matters**

Interculturality is a crucial skill in today’s globalized world, enabling effective communication and collaboration across cultural boundaries. It fosters empathy, helps navigate differences with respect, and is essential for addressing global challenges like climate change and migration. In academic and professional settings, intercultural competence is highly valued, supporting teamwork in diverse and international contexts. Personally, it enriches your worldview, enhances self-awareness, and opens you to new perspectives. By embracing interculturality, you contribute to a more inclusive and collaborative global society.

### **What you'll learn**

This online micro-module is designed to give you a comprehensive understanding of interculturality through a structured blend of expert-led lectures and interactive discussions. The course is divided into three thematic blocks, each building on the previous one to create a cohesive learning experience:

**Block 1: Understanding cultural differences**  

You’ll start by exploring foundational theories of culture, learning what defines and distinguishes cultures around the world. This block highlights the importance of cultural diversity in today’s globalized world, helping you develop an awareness of how cultural differences shape interactions and perceptions.

**Block 2: Global perspectives**  

In this section, you’ll examine the effects of migration, media representation, and the concept of global Englishes. These topics will give you a broader perspective on how cultural narratives evolve and influence societies across the globe. You’ll gain insights into how these factors contribute to both challenges and opportunities in intercultural communication.

**Block 3: Practical intercultural skills**  

The final block focuses on practical workshops to equip you with effective communication techniques for interacting across cultures. You’ll learn how to navigate cultural nuances in professional and personal settings, ensuring your interactions are respectful, clear, and impactful.

By the end of the course, you’ll have a deeper understanding of cultural theories, a global perspective on societal changes, and the practical tools to engage effectively in intercultural settings. This combination of theoretical and hands-on learning prepares you to adapt in diverse environments and address the complexities of global communication

Introduction to Interculturality

Explore interculturality in an international context

Our story starts in 2002 in Copenhagen, where three friends pioneered one of the earliest Ad Servers. Since then, we've grown into a global media buying platform. We enable major advertisers, publishers, and agencies in over 25 markets to create, buy, and sell digital advertising. And we like to do things differently. “Change the game” is our motto.

What’s in it for us? Fresh ideas. Education is a key aspect of our sustainability communications strategy, but there’s a big difference in what is interesting for corporate clients, LinkedIn bubble, or young employees. By making sustainability communication interesting, we can help the advertising industry towards its green goals.

What’s in it for you? A glimpse into the sustainability within the advertising industry (admit it, you don’t know much about it). Crash course in corporate B2B storytelling. Also, deliverables of your challenge will be used in real life by us, and likely by you as well in the future. Who knows, maybe that will be the basis of your next unicorn startup.

Beyond Boring Green Narratives

How can we make sustainability education interesting?

We are a telecommunications leader in Lithuania, with accumulated experience, investing significant resources into new solutions, infrastructure development, and expansion to empower as many consumers as possible and create maximum added value for our customers. As early as 2019, we set ambitious environmental goals. Later, in 2023, we aimed to achieve net-zero targets by 2040. Achieving these goals is impossible without new business models, innovations, digitization, and a net-zero supply chain.

Only 5 years are left for the mid-term goal implementation: to reduce value chain emissions by half. We have to find new solutions or change our business in order to reach these goals. Use your bright thoughts, knowledge in technologies, IoT, and digitalization, and harness your potential for a better future for all of us and future generations.

Telecommunications Services With Net-Zero Emissions

How can we transform the ICT business and services to achieve net-zero emissions?

EPAM is a leading global provider of digital platform engineering and development services with a team of 52,800+ best-in-class experts across 55 countries. Operating in 11 major industries, EPAM is at the forefront of delivering cutting-edge solutions to world leaders in the energy sector.

In our commitment to sustainability & decarbonisation advisory, we help companies develop AI/ML-enabled data platforms to control climate change. The challenge we offer students to contribute to is one of the most sought by our clients, given the significant contribution of the energy sector to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions impacting global warming.

To propose effective emission management solutions, we'll tackle challenges such as various regulations, different data sources and formats, inaccurate estimations and reporting, and monitoring & detection difficulties.  

Potential solutions include remote sensing (e.g. satellite emission monitoring), emission cloud data accessibility, and AI-based oil field intelligence. Let's co-create the future of data-driven energy enterprises together!

Read more about EPAM projects in the Energy & Resources industry: https://www.epam.com/industries/energy-and-resources

Digital Transformation of Energy Sector Greenhouse Gas Management

Co-creating data-driven sustainable solutions sought by energy sector leaders

As humans, we are natural problem solvers, however, not all of us have developed the same level of problem-solving skills. Some of us tend to stand by, spot problems and complain about difficult situations. Conversely, some people demonstrate smart problem solving and see problems as opportunities for growth. This course is for everyone who wants to adopt the mindset of the latter.  

Not only will this learning journey help you deal with future difficulties or unsatisfactory situations more successfully both at work and in personal settings, but it can also make you self-confident, and more in control of your life. Importantly, you will develop the skill that constantly ranks among the top skills desired by employers. More specifically, you will find out what core beliefs, key characteristics, and strategies are necessary to adopt a smart problem-solving mindset as well as what benefits this might offer. The course will also expand your repertoire of problem-solving tools, strategies, and techniques. Given the ubiquity and progression of AI-powered tools, you will additionally deepen your understanding of how to approach problem solving with the help of such tools.

Problem Solving

Unlock Your Potential: Master the Art of Problem Solving

We are Centric – we believe in people. Our commitment to keeping our employees engaged, happy, and healthy is unwavering. This commitment extends beyond our organisation, embracing our social responsibility to contribute meaningfully to education and mentorship. Our participation in this challenge reflects our dedication to fostering learning through innovation and creativity, encouraging students to learn by doing. This initiative draws inspiration from our internal teams, proposing a solution that not only promotes active learning but also prioritises well-being.  
  
Our goal with this challenge is to merge the realms of technology and wellness, creating an opportunity for students to engage in a project with real-world applications and societal impact. We aim to inspire innovative thinking that transcends traditional boundaries, encouraging solutions that keep cycling accessible and exciting year-round. By participating, students will gain valuable skills in technological development and creative problem-solving, all while contributing to healthier lifestyles and environmental sustainability. This challenge is not just an academic exercise; it's a chance to make a tangible difference in how we approach fitness and engagement in the digital age.  
  
By aligning our challenge with these goals, we invite students to be at the forefront of creating meaningful change, benefiting not only themselves through skill acquisition but also society by promoting health and sustainable practices.

Ride, game, thrive: indoor cycling revolution

How can you turn a bicycle into a year-round, interactive fitness adventure?

In the micro-module our goal is clear: to empower you with the skills and insights necessary to drive innovation forward in your field. 

Objective: The primary aim of this micro-module is to equip you with the ability to evaluate, assess, and effectively implement innovative ideas. 

Why It Matters: Innovation is not just about creativity; it's about making a tangible impact. The single most important aspect of this micro-module is its focus on practical application. You'll learn not only to recognize promising innovations but also to navigate the complexities of adoption. This ability is crucial for anyone aspiring to lead transformative change in their organization or community. 

Key Benefits: By the end of this module, you'll have gained: 

- A deep understanding of different types of innovations and their implications for progress.

- The skills to assess innovation strategies and their potential to solve complex problems.

- Practical knowledge in navigating adoption approaches to foster creativity and drive success.

Why Choose This Micro-Module: Choosing this micro-module means choosing to invest in your ability to innovate effectively. Whether you're aiming to advance your career or lead impactful projects, the insights and skills gained here will set you apart. Join us in accelerating innovation and shaping a brighter future through informed and strategic adoption practices.

This micro-module addresses the critical role of stakeholder engagement in project management. It explores how to identify, prioritize, and effectively engage stakeholders to ensure project success. The module aims to equip you with the skills to handle stakeholder dynamics, enhance communication, and manage conflicts, ultimately fostering a collaborative project environment. 

Key Areas of Focus: 

- Understanding the concept of project stakeholders and their influence.

- Developing and applying stakeholder engagement strategies.

- Techniques for managing difficult stakeholders and conflicts.

This module will equip you with the skills to identify and analyse project stakeholders, as well as to communicate effectively and manage conflicts, making you a valuable asset in any project management team. You'll gain hands-on experience through various learning activities, including video lectures, readings, and interactive tasks.

Project Stakeholder Engagement

Mastering stakeholder engagement for project success

Have you ever found yourself wondering why working with other people sometimes is challenging? This is because we are different, especially if we are from different cultures, each with its own traditions, clothing, habits, and language. In 2023, there were approximately 3.4 billion global employees, compared to 2.28 billion employees in 1991 - an increase of more than 1 billion people in 22 years. Therefore, intercultural communication and work in intercultural teams have become essential skills to be acquired due to globalisation and spreading internationalisation. Developing these skills becomes an advantage for a more successful start of a professional career.  

In the micro-module “Intercultural Teamwork” we uncover the features of working together in teams with people from different cultures. Everyone interested in teamwork and cultural differences is invited to join this course. You do not need to have any specific skills to participate.  

At the end of the micro-module: 1) You will become acquainted with team-working phases and the intercultural differences that influence collaborative decision-making. 2) You will gain practical skills related to the principles of intercultural and virtual teamwork.

Are you ready to start this learning journey?

MASTERING INTERCULTURAL TEAMWORK: A PRACTICAL VIRTUAL COURSE

In today's landscape, a substantial adoption of high-value Artificial Intelligence (AI) use cases is reshaping the ways businesses operate. While some professionals excel as leaders or managers despite lacking technical expertise, others possess formidable technical abilities but lack a deeper understanding of the business context. It is within this juncture that this distance learning micro-module becomes invaluable. 

Designed to bridge the gap between business acumen and technical proficiency, this micro-module is designed for Bachelor and Master students aiming to enhance their expertise in AI applications in business. The micro-module aims to develop competences necessary to leverage AI techniques proficiently, equipping learners with a comprehensive understanding of AI's practical applications and use cases in business. 

The learning outcomes encompass the ability to discern appropriate AI techniques, spanning computer vision, deep neural networks, generative models, machine learning, and more, all tailored to specific business objectives and diverse conditions across human resources, finance, marketing, operations, and inventory management. Learners will also showcase ethical and robust handling of AI's impact on business practices. 

Beyond theoretical knowledge, the micromodule places a strong emphasis on hands-on projects, enabling learners to master essential tools for AI project management, AI-powered financial planning, intelligent process automation, and AI-powered content generation. The micro-module provides interactive, hands-on learning that will make learners not just learn but truly understand and master the subject. 

While this micro-module may not be the perfect fit for individuals already well-versed in AI applications in business, for those seeking to enhance their AI skills and integrate them into diverse business domains, this micro-module provides a unique opportunity for both career growth and educational advancement. Upon completion, learners will emerge with a nuanced understanding of AI and the practical skills necessary to navigate its integration within various business contexts.

**Climate Change and Sustainability**  

The reality of climate change is imperative for societies to innovate and action solutions that can advance the world to a more sustainable future. Bringing digital technologies and sustainability goals together is logical, and necessary, and today Digital Twins are already having a radical impact on sustainability. By its nature, digital technologies are adaptable and responsive to innovation – but technology providers do not have a monopoly on ideas. This challenge seeks new ideas, and original thinking, to apply Digital Twin technologies to sustainability goals.  

**Digital Twins**  

Digital twins are virtual counterparts of tangible assets, providing real-time data, optimisation, predictive analytics, and alerts. The significance of DT isn't confined to engineers or facility managers, it's equally valuable for end-users and property owners. A pivotal area where digital twin technology shows promise is in real-time sustainability monitoring.  

Digital Twins can significantly improve the design, construction, and operation of assets of all types. It can improve efficiency by monitoring performance in real time, including carbon outputs. It is envisaged that Digital Twins should simulate entire systems or interlinked assets to simulate future effects of climate or citizen actions. They should enable society to do more with less, to utilise resources better, longer, and to recycle where replacement has been the norm, to align engineering data with reality, geospatial, IOT and other operational data. By means of IoT data, Digital Twins should allow AI and machine learning to better analyse performance and improve efficiency.  

If the above is true – what are the opportunities yet unseen, what has not been envisaged, and where are the next true innovations? Recognising that there is often doubt and scepticism when innovation challenges long-held thinking, submissions should consider how societies can facilitate those who would otherwise be sceptical to be part of that change as data proliferation increasingly becomes more widespread and more important to the goals of optimal sustainability.

Urban Digital Twins for Sustainability

How can innovative technologies be applied for improvement of sustainability indicators within the built environment?

## The Challenge

Learners will work together to acquire skills and competencies related to the physiopathological basis of the reproductive system, infertility, and influence of lifestyle on reproductive health. The ultimate goal is to integrate and apply this knowledge in identifying and solving real problems in the area through the implementation of multicultural working groups. During this challenge, priority will be given to innovative and experimental teaching models, such as challenge-based in a blended learning approach that combines virtual and face-to-face mobility

## Impact

The participants will develop cross-cutting and transdisciplinary knowledge in reproductive health lifestyle. This challenge will also promote new forms of international mobility that allow an increase in the number of individuals with an international mobility experience in higher education, while also promoting collaborative and cooperative work skills through the experience of active teaching and learning methodologies. This intensive blended program is aligned with the strategic development plan of the Department of Medical Sciences, within the scope of its internationalization policy, as well as with the Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations, namely for Good Health and Well-being (Goal 3), Quality Education (Goal 4), Gender Equality (Goal 5), and Reduced Inequalities (Goal 10).

University of Aveiro

Lifestyle Influence on Reproductive Health

Resilient communities

This micro-module is based on the idea of developing solutions for the European Diploma  and Flexible Learning Pathways in an international environment during the summer school hosted in Poland. Paricipants, ECIU teachers,  will carry out in-depth teamwork in one of those topics. They will learn how to identify the challenge, obtain, and compile reaserch information and communicate the results in English on minimum CEFR B2+ level. The participants will be able to gain valuable creative problem-solving skills. This challenge is a chance to make a tangible difference in how we approach lifelong learning within the ECIU capacity. We invite teachers who are ready to create a meaningful change by benefiting not only themselves through skill acquisition, but also by making a valuable impact on the ECIU community.

Member university

Kaunas University of Technology

Member university

Kaunas University of Technology

Learning opportunities of Kaunas University of Technology