European Universities are long-term alliances of universities and higher education institutions from different European Union countries. Their primary objective is to strengthen cross-border cooperation in education and scientific research. This prestigious initiative, launched under the Erasmus+ programme, promotes the internationalisation of academic activities and supports the mobility of students, researchers, and university staff. These goals are pursued through the development of joint educational programmes, the creation of integrated academic structures, and the implementation of collaborative research and development projects. As a result, sustainable and enduring partnerships within the consortium are reinforced.

EduCare 5.0 is a strategic alliance of universities and higher education institutions coordinated by Hochschule Bielefeld – University of Applied Sciences and Arts. Its goal is to jointly shape the future of education and healthcare in Europe through an innovative, interdisciplinary, and digital approach to education, research, and clinical practice. The name EduCare 5.0 is a combination of the words “education” and “healthcare”, and “5.0” refers to the transformation of European organizations from version 4.0, which focused mainly on digitization and technology, to sustainable, resilient, and human-centered solutions.

The consortium brings together ten universities from nine European countries, including:

• Hochschule Bielefeld – University of Applied Sciences and Arts, Germany
• Salzburg University of Applied Sciences, Austria
• Universitat Internacional de Catalunya, Spain
• Egas Moniz School of Health & Science, Portugal
• CESPU, Portugal
• Medical University of Lodz, Poland
• Grigore T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Romania
• Klaipėda State University of Applied Sciences, Lithuania
• Diaconia University of Applied Sciences, Finland
• University of Jan Evangelista Purkyně in Ústí nad Labem, Czech Republic

Eeach partner contributes unique expertise and experience to the collaboration, enabling a multidimensional approach to healthcare challenges. EduCare 5.0 shows how alliances between universities from different European countries can respond to real social and health challenges through joint educational and research projects, activities aimed at improving healthcare systems, and giving the opportunity to develop future professionals’ skills in an international environment.

The main areas of activity within EduCare 5.0 include:

• digital transformation, including the development of VR simulations, telemedicine, and AI-supported teaching methods;
• an interdisciplinary approach, combining medicine, engineering, data science and social sciences;
• sustainability, with a particular focus on environmental and social aspects of healthcare;
• educational innovation, including as Joint Degrees, Summer Schools, and flexible study paths;
• research excellence, pursued through joint research projects on topics such as chronic diseases, mental health, and the future of healthcare systems.

In June 2024, EduCare 5.0 received the European Commission Seal of Excellence, meaning that it is officially recognized as one of 73 alliances within the European Universities initiative (including 8 with the Seal of Excellence).

The Medical University of Łódź’s accession to the EduCare 5.0 consortium strengthens Poland’s involvement in the European Universities initiative. Membership in the alliance opens new opportunities for the University to expand international cooperation in health education, scientific research, and innovative teaching methods. For students and staff, this means access to international learning pathways, as well as opportunities to exchange experiences and participate in joint research and development projects with partners from across Europe.

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