Student engagement

The "Student Engagement" working area within the European Reform University Alliance (ERUA) plays a central role in promoting an active and participatory university culture. We, students and staff, work together to collaboratively implement student initiative and co-design in as many areas of the alliance as possible. Students are not just learners, but members and partners - active co-creators of our academic environment. This is based on the conviction that transparency, cooperation and commitment are crucial for the quality of our universities.

Our goal is to create a dynamic and inclusive learning environment in which students not only acquire knowledge but also develop their skills and talents, take on leadership roles when desired, and engage critically in the larger context. To achieve this, we are establishing structures and opportunities within the entire ERUA alliance that strengthen democratic participation, social responsibility, and mutual (intercultural and intergenerational) learning.

The content of the work area was defined together with students and is characterised by the greatest possible openness and flexibility. This allows scope for joint negotiation and changing needs. A bottom-up student interest group has emerged, which is officially recognised as a body of the ERUA governance and elects three students to the ERUA Steering Committee.

We are convinced that a high degree of student participation promotes not only individual development, but also the entire university community and innovation. ERUA is a platform in which we work together across status groups and countries to contribute to the shaping of a shared future.

Students are at the centre of this area of work. You can participate:

• in monthly alliance-wide team meetings - where all activities are planned and coordinated among the partners: Listening, helping or initiating ideas are welcome.
as a participant in the onboarding tutorship programme to get involved in the alliance
• as ERUA Ambassador or Viadrina Student Engagement Coach (SHK/WHK)
• on the Local Board at Viadrina (with the possibility of being elected to the governance of ERUA)
• through joint projects with students from partner universities
• as active contributors to ERUA summits (lectures, workshops, etc.), the "Young Forum for Action on Climate Change", the ERUA magazine or events at European level (e.g. European Student Assembly)
• in peer-to-peer sessions for students to exchange views on study-related topics that influence academic success (e.g. mental health, discrimination, learning disabilities)

Administrative staff can provide support according to their professional expertise (for example in the areas of project management, mental health, inclusion).

Teachers can publish seminar results and projects in the ERUA magazine together with students or make scientific contributions as part of student activities (for example at the Young Forum for Action on Climate Change or at the ERUA Summits).

The lingua franca with the partners in the Alliance is English.