Closure of the REUNICE project: initiatives continued in EUNICE for sustainable European research
Valuing young talent, platforms for connecting researchers and collaboration, tools for inclusion, and training courses for PhD students: a look back at the recent achievements of this H2020 program project, presented at the REUNICE project closing meeting.
Poznan, Poland - October 24, 2024 - The REUNICE research project, part of the EUNICE European University initiative, aims to align the research and innovation resources of the EUNICE alliance to establish effective collaborations between science and society. After three years' work, this project co-funded by the European Commission's H2020 program has laid the foundations for developing joint actions in research and industrial partnerships. The results of REUNICE were presented at the final meeting held on October 24 at Poznan University of Technology (PUT), Poland.
REUNICE project manager Michał Weissenberg highlighted recent achievements such as the professional coaching given to a young researcher to apply for an MSCA grant, the creation of an Inclusive Communication Charter, as well as the recent launch of an Open Science platform using AI and blockchain to connect researchers and encourage collaboration, currently in the testing phase. The closing event addressed next steps to ensure the sustainability of REUNICE initiatives, which will be taken up by the EUNICE European University as part of its Erasmus+ project EUNICE4U.
Two keynote speakers also delivered outstanding presentations. Marek Zmuda, systems security architect at Intel Corporation, highlighted the benefits for companies and universities of these connections in his presentation "Cooperation with academic communities": access to top researchers, cutting-edge technologies, brand enhancement, and impact on educational programs. For her part, Professor Anna Kobusinska (PUT) presented "Demystifying the power of blockchain: from basic concepts to applications", highlighting the technology's potential in the academic field, for example for cryptocurrency tuition payments or degree validation via smart contracts.
During its three years of activity, REUNICE has explored a variety of initiatives: human resources strategy for researchers, research internships, training courses and workshops for PhD students, as well as scientific dissemination through the traveling scientific photography exhibition "L'invisible révélé". Three platforms are also under development:
- Expertise Exchange Platform powered by Catalyst: a bridge between academic entities and industrial centers or social institutions.
- Intelligent blockchain-based collaborative platform for Open Science: a connection tool for researchers in similar fields thanks to AI.
- EUNICE European University AI Competence Center: a platform to bring together AI professionals and resources from EUNICE partners to foster the exchange of ideas and encourage collaborations with industry and societal sectors.
About the REUNICE project
Launched in October 2021 and funded by the EU's H2020 research and innovation program, the EUNICE Research (REUNICE) project aims to align research and innovation agendas within the alliance. Its main objectives are to promote human capital, share research infrastructures, foster inclusivity and equality, and promote open science and cooperation between universities and non-academic sectors.
.REUNICE addresses the need to serve local and global communities by building innovative collaborations between science and society, and engaging citizens, civil society and public authorities in research and innovation.