UnaVEx
The Una Europa for Virtual Exchange (UnaVEx) project aims to harness the power of virtual exchange to bring 2,500 university students together across Europe and Africa to tackle pressing societal challenges – such as climate change, global inequality, and the biodiversity crisis – in an international and intercultural context.
Virtual exchange for high-quality sustainability education
Three Una Europa universities (Alma Mater Studiorum - Università di Bologna, Helsingin yliopisto/Helsingfors universitet, KU Leuven) and three African universities (University of Johannesburg, Université de Kinshasa, University of Nairobi) will co-design a virtual exchange framework for high-quality sustainability education. The remaining eight Una Europa partner universities will support the project as associated partners.
Building on Una Europa’s Micro-credential Programme in Sustainability, UnaVEx will draw on project partners’ pedagogical and research expertise in sustainability and atmospheric sciences, especially in relation to climate change, air quality and clean air in cities. The project will also provide early-career researchers with opportunities to develop their professional and transversal skills by offering opportunities to train as virtual exchange facilitators.
" UnaVEx is responding to a growing call among students across Europe and Africa for a more international approach to higher education that reflects the borderless, interconnected nature of global challenges. "
Hanna Lappalainen
UnaVEx Coordinator, Dr. Docent in Atmospheric Sciences,
Helsingin yliopisto/Helsingfors universitet
UnaVEx is rooted in the Una Europa–Africa Partnership, which unites Una Europa’s 11 partner institutions with eight African universities. The Partnership is committed to supporting globally connected co-creators of our shared future through strategic collaboration across research, education and societal outreach.