About the event From November 18 to 22, students and staff of COLOURS partner universities are invited to embark on an interactive, virtual journey through nine different countries. This exciting Virtual Journey Week will provide participants with unique digital experiences, including language cafés, taster courses, quizzes, and engaging video clips, showcasing the diversity of the Alliance’s universities, cultures, and languages. In a relaxed, friendly atmosphere, attendees can participate in discussions in various languages, connect with students and colleagues from across Europe, and exchange insights on cultural and academic topics. Student representatives will be available to answer questions, and Erasmus students will share their personal experiences, offering a first-hand glimpse into the world of international study. Whether you’re looking to expand your cultural knowledge, meet new friends, or simply enjoy a week of digital exploration, Virtual Journey Week is the perfect opportunity to engage with the COLOURS Alliance community—all from the comfort of your own desk! Don’t miss this chance to explore, connect, and be inspired.

International Workshop of Student Innovation 21 November 2024; 09:00 - 18:00 MASTERCLASS : Aula Magna, Department of Economics (Via Voltapaletto 11) WORKSHOP : Student Enterpreneurship Centre c/o Laboratorio Aperto (Via Castelnuovo 10) Are you passionate about creating real-world solutions ? Do you aim to make a lasting impact on your community while gaining entrepreneurial skills ? Then, this is your chance to dive in! Emilia-Romagna’s coastal ecosystem is threatened by the invasive blue crab , a species wreaking havoc on its biodiversity and local fishing and tourism industries. But where there are challenges, there are also opportunities. We’re inviting you to a solution-driven, hands-on workshop that tackles this urgent issue head-on! The Workshop In this dynamic, one-day intensive workshop organized by the European University Alliance COLOURS, you’ll collaborate with international peers from different fields to brainstorm, design, and develop innovative entrerpreneurial solutions that can engage with the blue crab emergency, all accompanied by a skilled mediator. Whether it’s new product ideas, market strategies, or sustainable techniques and methodologies, your creativity and insight will help imagine a better future for our region. Why Join? Develop entrepreneurial skills : Learn the ins and outs of business problem-solving, from ideation to execution. Work with a multidisciplinary team : Collaborate with students from various backgrounds and bring diverse perspectives to the table. Gain real-world experience : Contribute to solving a pressing environmental challenge, with the chance to turn your ideas into actionable projects. Boost your CV : Get recognized for your innovative thinking and teamwork, gaining valuable skills for your future career. Bring your ideas, your talent, and your energy. The climate crisis is one of the biggest challenges of our generation, and addressing invasive species like the blue crab is part of this issue. Whether you're passionate about starting entrepreneurial projects, supporting sustainability, or just brainstorming new solutions, your fresh perspective is exactly what we need. Are you ready to take on the Blue Crab Challenge? Apply now by filling out this form (deadline 15/11/2024!) and plunge into this opportunity! At the end of the lab, a certificate of attendance will be issued. For those who cannot join us onsite, there is an opportunity to participate online via a link that will be shared before the event.

This week, all of Europe is celebrating Erasmus Days! Erasmusdays2024 invites you to enrich your experience and think bigger! We, Ventspils University of Applied Sciences, are also taking part in this initiative and invite every student to the event "Erasmus days 2024", which will take place on Wednesday, 16 October 2024 at 18.00 in D0 – Student lounge room . The event will be held in English! We will have Latvian representatives of the Erasmus Student Network as guests ; Stories from Erasmus experiences; Refreshments and valuable time! If you have any questions - come to C301, email: erasmus@venta.lv 

We are pleased to announce the first annual COLOURS Conference, which will take place in Osijek, Croatia, from October 24-25, 2024, with a pre-conference day on October 23. This event will be organized by Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Croatia in cooperation with Paderborn University, Germany. It represents a significant step in the development of our alliance, bringing together COLOURS partners, stakeholders, and students to discuss key initiatives and foster collaboration across institutions. The conference will be held in a hybrid format, enabling wider participation from across the COLOURS community. Those who are unable to attend in person will have the opportunity to join online and engage with the sessions remotely. The conference will provide a structured platform for sharing ideas and strengthening partnerships. The program will include workshops, presentations, and discussions focused on innovation, education, and strategic collaboration within the COLOURS network. Key Details: Pre-Conference Day (October 23) : Field study focused on the COLOURS Smart Specialization Strategy IT and Digital Transformation, for internal COLOURS members. Day 1 (October 24) : COLOURS Innovation & Engagement Day, involving external partners and stakeholders, with workshops highlighting Smart Specialization Strategies and a session dedicated to student talent development. Day 2 (October 25) : COLOURS Collaborative Progress Day, aimed at reinforcing internal collaborations, featuring the “Creators’ Corner” for showcasing innovative solutions and projects. We invite all partner universities to contribute ideas, and participate actively in the program. Don’t miss this opportunity to be part of a pioneering event that celebrates collaboration and the creative spirit of our alliance. Please register here by October 14, 2024

From this year, Ventspils University of Applied Sciences Master's study program "Strategic Intercultural Communication" includes study course "Digital Corporate Communication Strategies", within which our students together with other Master's students from different universities will participate in the "Global virtual teams" project. Students will work in multicultural teams, mixed from different universities, to develop a digital communication strategy for the expansion of a company in another country's market. This project is a simulation and the strategies will not reach the selected companies, but it will be good practice for the students to work in international teams and try their hand at developing strategic documents. The project will run for 10 weeks, from 7 October to 13 December, during which the students will work independently in teams, participate in virtual workshops and consultations, and, at the end, present their work. The project will allow students to put into practice their knowledge of intercultural communication they have acquired in the studies, improve their digital skills, learn about the benefits and challenges of multicultural virtual teams, and exchange knowledge and experience with students and lecturers from other universities who act as team mentors in the project. The mentor and lecturer in the project from VUAS is guest lecturer Elīza Cimdiņa. This international study project, led by the Paderborn University, has been running for several years. It is intended to be conducted entirely virtually, using the Paderborn University's e-learning platform KOMO. This will also give the VUAS representatives opportunity to adopt good practices in using e-learning platforms for virtual course delivery. The project will bring together students and lecturers from 6 European universities: Clermont Auvergne University (France), University of Chemistry and Technology Prague (Czech Republic), Paderborn University (Germany), Tampere University of Applied Sciences (Finland), University St Kliment Ohridski Bitola (Northern Macedonia) and Ventspils University of Applied Sciences (Latvia). Along with VUAS, the “COLOURS” Alliance university from Northern Macedonia has also joined the project this year. It is this European University Alliance "COLOURS" that is the basis for new faculty friendships and new faculty cooperation. This is a practical example of how the “COLOURS” Alliance colours and enriches our study process.