Research insights from UAS students: new video avaliable

In the latest episode of our student testimonial series “𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡 𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐔𝐀𝐒 𝐬𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬” Eric Ugo Paque, a Master’s student in Computer Systems Engineering at the HEPL – Haute Ecole de la Province de Liège (HEPL), shares his pivotal contribution to a research project in collaboration with the Tournai Hospital in Belgium. The project focused on modeling patient arrival flows and wait times at the hospital to improve patient care and streamline operational processes

📍 Watch the video on our YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-KmtogJxp9o

BLIST Benchmark report is out!

BLIST just published a Benchmark Report “2024: Best Practices for Including Students in Research Activities”. You can access it here.

This report is one of the key outcomes of the Boosting IncLusion of Students In Research AcTivities (BLIST) project. The material provides an in-depth analysis of current practices at European Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) focusing on the solutions increasing student involvement in research, and offers key recommendations for promoting more inclusive participation.

The report is based on a survey that was distributed in 61 universities and research institutions across Europe, including contributions from Belgium, France, and Portugal.

It focuses on how HEIs integrate students into research, by identifying both the benefits and the challenges of existing policies. The survey respondents highlighted the growing trend of integrating students into applied research activities.
The report also outlines several recommendations to provide student inclusion, among which are early involvement in research, providing mentorship, offering training and support materials.

The report’s results will be used to develop a guidebook and training framework to assist educational institutions in better integrating students into research activities.

Project meeting in Caen

The partners joined on the 19th of September in Caen, on the premises of Builders to discuss about the work done and the next foreseen activities.
The debate included:
• the implementation of the European comparative study to identify the best practices for encouraging the participation of higher education students in research projects and/or services. Based on the results of the benchmark, the partners will develop a range of tools aimed at strengthening the capacity of higher education institutions (HEIs) to integrate students into research activities
• the initial brainstorming for the development of the guidebook, research projects and seminars
• the presentation of the analytics from the project website and social media
• feedback from BUILDERS and their student research projects, including testimonials from formers BUILDERS students involved in research
• an overview on the project progress and management
• an outline on the next foreseen dissemination and communication events and activities

Project partners will meet in Caen

The next project partners meeting will be held by Builders École d’ingénieurs in Caen on the 19th September 2023. This will provide an opportunity for the partners to debate the already concluded and the undergoing activities and carefully plan the next steps on the implementation of the project. Follow us to have more information on the results of the meeting and also all the other important project results, aiming to strengthen the bonds between students and research activities in higher education.

BLIST project is implementing a European Comparative Study on Boosting Student Inclusion in Research Activities

As part of the project activities, the partners are conducting a European comparative study to uncover the best practices for encouraging higher education students to actively engage in research activities.
The insights gained from this benchmark study will enable the development of  a suite of valuable tools geared towards enhancing the capacity of higher education institutions (HEIs) to seamlessly integrate students into research activities.
The comprehensive questionnaire is directed to:
– Higher education institution (HEI) management and research staff.
– International Relations professionals.
– Students who have been or are currently involved in research activities.

Your input is crucial to our research! You can help us in two ways:
– Complete the questionnaire yourself (available here in both English and French)
– Share the questionnaire within your respective higher education institutions (HEIs) among the three specified categories of individuals.

A very good start for BLIST project

“BLIST” (Boosting incLusion of Students In research acTivities) is an ERASMUS+ project, selected under Key Action 2, Cooperation Partnerships, with the aim to increase the participation of students in scientific research projects and broaden the horizons of teacher-researchers to European partnerships. The two-year project will provide teachers and students with tools to strengthen their involvement in research and innovation at the European level.

The consortium consists of three European organizations:

  • SynHERA, the coordinator, an association representing applied research within Frenchspeaking Universities of Applied Sciences (UAS) and their associated Research Centres from Belgium
  • BUILDERS – School of Engineering located in Caen (France)
  • Sociedade Portuguesa de Inovação (SPI), a Portuguese consulting company supporting innovation-fostering projects and international opportunities.

Together, the partners will develop tools to encourage student participation in research, such as a guide of good practices for the integration of students in research and innovation, training modules, and other initiatives and will also organize networking and awareness-raising events for students, teachers, and international managers of higher education institutions.

The kick-off meeting of the project was organized by SynHERA and held in Brussels on March 28th and 29th. It was an opportunity for the partners to finally meet in person and build stronger relationships after months of collaborating remotely on their proposal. The partners reviewed the main aspects of the project and began to plan several activities that will take place in the coming months. They all expressed optimism about the project’s potential impact and look forward to working together towards its successful implementation.