“Preparing universities of the future: (Re)building inclusive and sustainable campuses”

Universities are confronted with deep transformations to address several issues, including the COVID-19 consequences, the climate crisis, virtual and in-person involvement, and the growing demand for collaboration with civil society and citizens. The concept and the design of sustainable university campuses has even more incentives to implement principles of inclusivity, community, wellbeing, flexibility, and connectivity.

To prompt a real and constructive conversation on this topic, UNICA, the Network of Universities from the Capitals of Europe, together with the University of Sarajevo, is organising the event “Preparing universities of the future: (Re)building inclusive and sustainable campuses”on 25-26 April in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The event aims at discussing and presenting academic snapshots from the future through case studies regarding practices of viable designs of a multi-modal campus implemented across the UNICA universities. Participants will have the opportunity to learn more about the collaboration among different actors to successfully engage in these transformations, how to respond to different expectations toward the campus, the strategies introducing interdisciplinary research facilities, multifunctional public and dining spaces, libraries, hybrid and flexible classrooms and offices, innovation ecosystems, inclusive residential solutions and campus service one-stop-shops.

The event is a joint conference of UNICA & the Cityand UNICA Green & SDGsand provides the two working groups with an opportunity to address the topic from different perspectives, to learn from the expertise of colleagues with different profiles and backgrounds, and to discuss possible cooperation and synergies in the future.

Questions addressed

Speakers at the conference will discuss issues like:

• How can students be involved in campus transformation?
• How can universities respond to the energy crisis, the global e-learning competition, and blended work and learning by combining ancient buildings and new technologies?
• How to improve the use and accessibility of the existing academic commons by creating living labs to develop and test research and innovation?
• How can universities and cities interact to engage in sustainable transformations?

Format

The conference will begin with outlining the experience of the University of Sarajevo, which is now undergoing a significant campus renovation with funding from the government and the European Investment Bank. By designing, projecting, and reconstructing the main campus of the university, which is situated in the city’s administrative canter and was originally a military camp, the institution is contributing to the process of valorising the entire environment.

The renovation of campuses from the perspectives of sustainability and the interaction between the institution and the city will be the topic of presentations from other UNICA member universities on related initiatives and experiences.

Registration & Programme

A preliminary programme is currently available at the website of UNICA. Registrations must also be submitted through the network’s website.

Visit the website here.