Welcome refreshments will be available in the Lower Ground Foyer

Wake up your senses and join us for the EUNIS25 Opening Plenary!

We’ll kick off the congress with energy, reflection, and connection. Expect more than just words: a story to ground us, a sound to guide us, and a moment to remind you why you’re really here. From a shared breath to a shared vision, our speakers will set the tone for three days of inspiration and collaboration. Come curious. Leave connected.

• Opening remarks – Evelien Renders, EUNIS President

• Welcome by Provost Ulster University – Cathy Gormley-Heenan 

• Welcome to Belfast by the Lord Mayor 

• Introduction of thematic tracks

Is Hybrid Intelligence the Future?

Human-AI interactions (co-learning, co-working, co-creating) are becoming a cultural condition, thus will have a profound and far-reaching impact on educational institutions. This talk will first delve into the concept of hybrid intelligence, which combines the strengths of humans and machines through their coevolutionary processes to collaborate, learn from, and reinforce each other. Then what hybrid intelligence means for higher education will be explored.

Moderator: Evelien Renders 

Is Hybrid Intelligence the Future?

Connecting Open Science – Platforms, Alliances, Nodes

EUNIS is paying more and more attention to Open Science and is therefore organising a dedicated session on this topic. Titled ‘Connecting Open Science – Platforms, Alliances, Nodes’, the session will look at how Open Science can best flourish in different collaborative spaces. In a first presentation, Anna Pacholak will present an exciting case study of a snow cover service to illustrate the benefits of innovative platforms. The second presentation by Natalia Manola describes the case of a strategic partnership between a university alliance (EUT+) and OpenAIRE and provides valuable insights into the process that led to the creation of the EUT+ CONNECT Gateway. The session concludes with an exciting report on the role of the EOSC EU Node in fostering transnational and interdisciplinary research and creating an environment for sharing and managing research data and services, shaping the future of Open Science in Europe.

Moderators: Michael Anger and Ognjen Orel

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Where is snow?

The EOSC EU Node

EUT+OpenAIRE

The session will cover digital transformation in higher education institutions, considering both the user-centred perspective and campus ecosystems.

This session explores how higher education institutions can strategically navigate digital transformation by adapting industry models, fostering inclusive digital cultures, and developing institution-wide digital strategies. Drawing on case studies from Germany and the UK, it highlights the importance of tailored frameworks, collaborative leadership, and updated governance to effectively manage digital change across teaching, research, and administration.

Moderators: Paul Greenway and Andreas Hartmann

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Digital Strategy.

Digital Culture Change

7 levers

This session features three presentations on the topic of European Alliances HERM

Moderators: Patrik Maltusch and Marte Nubdal

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Analyzing HERM implementation experiences in Sweden

Bridging HERM and BPM: Insights from Rīga Stradiņš University

Micro-credentials and electronic degree certificates: putting it to work

Micro-credentials and digital diplomas have been a hot topic for some time now. But there are a lot of things to be understood from the conceptual and from the operational point of view. In this session we demonstrate how we streamlined processes from creating a study structure to graduation and creating electronic degree certificates. Another part of the session will deal with the conceptual view on the micro certificates and digital credentials paradigm overall, aiming to discover with the audience how different views on the landscape are needed to steer towards effective implementation.

Moderator: Nadža Milanović 

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Funidata presentation

Putting Microcredentials into a macro perspective

Ensuring Quality, Usability, and Integrity in Research Systems Through AI, Governance, and Open Standards

In the evolving landscape of higher education and research, the reliability, accessibility, and usability of research information systems are becoming increasingly vital. This session brings together four synergistic presentations that showcase innovative approaches and practical experiences in designing and improving tools for research management..

We’ll begin with the use of cutting-edge technologies such as Large Language Models (LLMs) and Retrieval Augmented Generation (RAG) pipelines to support semantic search and advanced analysis of institutional publications. This highlights how AI can be used to unlock insights from complex research data. The second research addresses a fundamental yet often overlooked issue in research software development: the importance of quality assurance. It advocates for prioritizing software testing to ensure reliability, reproducibility, and trust in research outputs..

Next, a case study from Qatar will take us into the world of research data preservation, showing how an OAIS-compliant open archive can help institutions retain the value of research grants long after the projects are complete. Finally, the session will explore the role of data governance and data quality in enhancing the usability of the Ludzie Nauki CRIS system in Poland. It underscores how legal compliance, user-centric design, and AI-enhanced services can elevate research information systems..

Together, these presentations provide a comprehensive view of how institutions can improve research infrastructure through AI integration, sound software practices, sustainable archiving models, and data governance. The session will appeal to research managers, IT professionals, and policy-makers seeking to strengthen the digital foundation of their research ecosystems..

Moderators: Anna Pacholak and Laurence Desnos

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The Impact of Data Quality and the Implementation of Data Governance on the Usability of the Ludzie Nauki CRIS System: Lessons learned

“It works on my research”: An argument for prioritized software testing in research software

The session will cover digital transformation in higher education institutions, considering both the user-centred perspective and campus ecosystems.

This session focuses on practical tools, models, and strategies for advancing digital transformation in higher education institutions. It presents UDReady, a data-driven tool for assessing digital readiness; the DIVO model, a lean and agile framework for piloting digital innovations; and Ulster University’s hands-on approach to process automation using low-code platforms. Together, these cases offer valuable insights into assessing preparedness, fostering innovation, and implementing scalable, sustainable digital solutions.

Moderators: Paul Greenway and Andreas Hartmann

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UDREADY ASSESSMENT

DIVO Innovation

UU Digital Innovation

Business systems from student application, overall student management system and e-learning system to quality assurance of higher education.

This session explores the development, evolution, and strategic role of digital business systems in supporting and transforming higher education (HE) institutions. From managing student applications and administrative data to enhancing e-learning and ensuring compliance with quality assurance frameworks, modern information systems are pivotal in shaping efficient, transparent, and student-centric academic environments.

The session begins with a presentation on Croatia’s newly developed ISPiK system, a national platform designed to support the quality assurance process of higher education institutions. This system, replacing an older framework, offers improved integration with existing data sources and guides institutions in preparing self-assessment reports for reaccreditation, aligning closely with the European Standards and Guidelines (ESG).

A second contribution highlights the redesigned E-Course Catalogue, an open, centralized web application for Croatian HEIs, which now offers a modern interface, improved accessibility, and advanced analytics. This case exemplifies how thoughtful system upgrades can enhance user experience, data usability, and integration with broader institutional ecosystems like ISVU.

The third presentation provides a retrospective look at ISVU, Croatia’s national student information system. Over 24 years, ISVU has evolved into a robust, modular system supporting a full spectrum of academic and administrative processes. Continuous innovation—including support for micro-credentials and digital diplomas—has positioned ISVU as a cornerstone of Croatian higher education infrastructure.

Finally, the Slovak use case of PrihlaskaVS showcases a successful digital transformation from a paper-based application process to a centralized online platform. This system significantly streamlined university admissions for over 64,000 applicants, demonstrating the tangible benefits of digitization in improving access and efficiency.

Together, these diverse yet complementary examples illustrate how strategic digital systems can serve as enablers of institutional effectiveness, student engagement, and systemic quality assurance in the evolving higher education landscape.

Moderators: Patrik Maltusch and Marte Nubdal

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IS for HEQA

The Evolution of ISVU

TRANSFORMATION FROM PAPER-BASED TO CENTRAL ELECTRONIC UNIVERSITY APPLICATION (CEA)

E Course Catalogue

AI in Higher Education: A global opportunity or a global issue?

Artificial Intelligence is no longer a distant innovation—it’s here, embedded in our systems, reshaping how we teach, research, and govern. What we once called “digital transformation” is rapidly evolving into AI-driven transformation, bringing with it a wave of opportunity, complexity, and urgent questions. This panel invites you to explore how higher education institutions are navigating this shift—not only by adopting AI technologies but by redefining their strategies, values, and responsibilities in the process.

Across Europe, universities are building internal AI ecosystems, developing bespoke language models, and reengineering workflows. But beyond technical achievements, they’re also engaging with fundamental issues: How do we ensure ethical and inclusive AI use? How do we balance innovation with regulation? What kind of governance frameworks can support long-term, institution-wide transformation?

We’ll present insights from leading universities and international collaborations working to create toolkits, guidelines, and training resources that move AI adoption from isolated pilots to systemic change. The discussion will touch on user-centered design, community engagement, data protection, and the evolving role of leadership in a rapidly digitizing academic landscape.

This panel is not just for technologists. It’s for anyone invested in the future of higher education: academic leaders, policymakers, IT strategists, educators, and students. We’ll challenge assumptions, share practical approaches, and invite reflection on what it really means to be an AI-ready institution.

Moderators: Giuliano Pozza and Bonaria Biancu

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Integrating Artificial Intelligence into Educational Institutions

From Experiment to Ecosystem: The AI strategy of the Humboldt University

How to Conceptualize the AI-driven Transformation in Higher Education Institutions

Higher Education in the Crosshairs: Effective Cybersecurity Strategies for a Safer Future focusing on Awareness and Crisis Management.

The journey of Università Cattolica on CyberSecurity has a strong focus on the Human Firewall concept. Without neglecting “hard” cybersecurity measures, we do believe that the human factor is the real turning point for an effective protection of data, information and services. We worked on awareness with a multichannel approach, ranging from traditional awareness training to ethical phishing with “closed loop” feedback evaluation and action to more emotionally engaging experiences, such as Physical & VR Escape Rooms.

Different approaches in the German federal states to support universities in defending against cyber-attacks. The HIS-Institute for Higher Education Development (HIS-HE) has examined the various strategies and approaches in the German ministries of science and higher education and analysed the overarching fundamental issues – from financing and legal frameworks to reporting systems and IT security structures. The results of this study supplement the recommendations for dealing with cyber-attacks at universities, which HIS-HE presented at the EUNIS 2024 conference in Athens.

Moderators: Thorsten Küfer and Asbjørn Thorsen

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Cybersecurity in higher Education German Approaches

TheHumanFirewallAndTheAwAKEapproach

How to optimize your cloud usage – costs management, migration scenarios and solution examples

As institutions increasingly embrace cloud platforms, they face critical challenges in managing costs, ensuring data security, simplifying administration, and supporting diverse learning and research environments. Commonly identified challenges are ranging from initial migration to implementing successful cost-reduction strategies. The strategic use of public cloud services can accelerate development and deployment cycles by standardization of setups and automation of provisioning. After all, a crucial balance between public cloud agility and sustainable on-premises operations is required.

The presentations will offer valuable insights into creating agile, secure, and cost-effective IT infrastructures, enabling universities to thrive in an increasingly digital world. Attendees will gain practical knowledge on strategic planning, tool implementation, and balancing innovation with operational sustainability.

Moderators: Denise Dittrich and Kristina Lillemets

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Rapid-Development-Cloud-On-Prem

FileCloud

How to optimize your cloud costs with FinOps

Semantic Mapping – from Ontologies to EAM

Session description  

– In the first presentation we learn and explore, how the HERM is transformed into an TOGAF based ontology using OWL.

– Secondly, we show a use-case of the Ontology by mapping a large text body using a hybrid AI approach.

Moderators: Patrik Maltusch and Marte Nubdal

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Semantic Mapping – from Ontologies to EAM

Inclusive and Sustainable AI: A non negotiable option for an inclusive and sustainable future for humanity.

As digital technologies increasingly shape the fabric of education and workplaces, two critical priorities are emerging: inclusion and sustainability. This panel brings them into focus, exploring how Artificial Intelligence can be harnessed to create more equitable learning and working settings—while also confronting the environmental impact of our digital choices.

Inclusion today means more than access—it requires actively designing learning experiences that respect and adapt to students’ diverse needs. From AI-powered immersive readers to intelligent chatbots that simplify texts and explain complex terms, educators now have powerful tools to support students with learning differences, language barriers, or disabilities. Biagio will explore how Universal Design for Learning (UDL) principles can be supported through AI to offer flexible, engaging, and personalized education. Real-world classroom practices—from peer-tutoring via class blogs to tools like Padlet that digitize handwriting—demonstrate how inclusive design can transform both teaching and classroom dynamics.

But just as we push for digital equity in the classroom, we must also grapple with the broader ethical and environmental costs of the technologies we adopt. AI’s rapid evolution has sparked widespread attention, prompting institutions and industries alike to evaluate not only its technical capabilities but also its sustainability. As concerns grow around AI’s social and ecological footprint, understanding its real-world implications becomes essential. To ground this discussion, Laura will share findings from a recent study on Italian companies, examining how organizations are balancing innovation with responsibility. The research explores governance models, maturity levels, risks, and opportunities related to the social and environmental dimensions of AI, offering a preview of the emerging trajectories in sustainable AI development.

This panel is for anyone interested in the future of AI at the intersection of technology, education, and sustainability. Join us to explore how AI can be part of the solution in transforming how we work, live, and think.

Moderators: Tommaso Piazza and Bonaria Biancu 

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AI for sustainability. What opportunities for professionals?

Designing accessible literacy

Higher Education in the Age of Digital Rentiership

Digital platforms, data, and content have become valuable assets in the contemporary economy. Higher education is deeply embedded in this broader dynamic. Various organisations and actors, ranging from Big Tech to EdTech, from entrepreneurs to investors, attempt to benefit from digital rentiership – a strategy to collect economic value by controlling access to assets. While universities may grapple with organisation-level challenges of rentier strategies, such as technological, legal, and economic lock-ins, students and staff individually find themselves subject to nested rules and practices. In terms of the legal dimension, they are not only subject to national-level higher education legislation and university policies but also to the terms and conditions and privacy policies of digital product providers. Regarding the practice dimension, their academic freedom and stakeholder rights may be challenged. Considering the social dimension, the pertinent question becomes the social value of data and content and how this social value can be unlocked in the rentier political-economic arrangement. Emerging research indicates that student and staff rights and agency should be addressed and considered through the legal, practical, and social dimensions of digital rentiership. Moreover, public concerns in higher education have focused on these foundational questions about how higher education functions when it relies on proprietary digital infrastructure. This fireside chat will unpack and address digital assets and rentiership as a new mode of governance in higher education, along with the consequences for universities, their staff, and students.

Moderator: Evelien Renders 

With the focus on digital transformation in higher education, we take Digital Healthcare as a compelling example of how AI is rapidly influencing teaching, learning and research, with profound impacts on curricula, skill demands and interdisciplinary collaboration. This track on digital healthcare explores how universities are adapting curricula, advancing interdisciplinary research and preparing future professionals in response to these fast-moving developments.

Moderator: Isabel Gallin

How can the Vietsch foundation help you?

The Vietsch Foundation has as it’s mission: Promoting research and development of advanced Internet technology for scientific research and higher education. This presentation will explain through which activities the Vietsch foundation does that and it will focus on how you can benefit from support from the Vietsch foundation.

Closing Remarks from Evelien Renders, President Eunis Board