Staff Weeks

ENHANCE Staff Weeks are international staff training weeks with the aim to improve critical professional skills of administrative staff and to benefit from best practice exchange within our Alliance.

In the past, participants have had the opportunity to expand their skill sets thanks to an international experience and by engaging actively with fellow experts from other ENHANCE member universities. The ENHANCE Staff Week helps to strengthen innovation and internationalisation awareness, communication and teamwork skills and increase competence in managing modern higher education institutions.

So far, the following ENHANCE Staff Weeks have already taken place:

Bottom-up Innovation in University Administration (UPV)
Virtual Education (WUT)
Education Pathways Towards Virtual Exchange (Chalmers)
Staff and Joint Training Development (TUB)
ENHANCE'ing Talent for All (POLIMI)
Intercultural Skills for an International Workplace (RWTH)

Impressions from past ENHANCE Staff Weeks

Past ENHANCE Staff Weeks

UPV Campus, València | November 2021

The first ENHANCE Staff Week was held at the Universitat Politècnica de València (UPV) and focused on introducing the ENHANCE Alliance and its strategic framework, with particular emphasis on Key Goal 1: The European University of Technology and the construction of the European Education Area.

Over three days, participants explored the administrative and organisational dimensions of the Alliance through targeted training sessions linked to the ENHANCE work packages. The programme fostered both technical competencies and social skills in an authentic international and intercultural environment.

Programme Structure

The Staff Week comprised 18 hours of training, organised into four complementary activity blocks:

Key topic of the day
Training courses
Coaching sessions and workshops
Teamwork activities and daily summaries

Learning Focus

Participants attended a combination of theoretical and practical sessions addressing innovation, internationalisation, and soft skills in modern university administration. The hybrid format (face-to-face and online collaboration) enabled participants to experience innovative training methodologies while strengthening their understanding of ENHANCE objectives.

Daily thematic focus:

Day 1: International engagement and alliance belonging – the ENHANCE feeling
Day 2: Bottom-up innovation in university administration
Day 3: Student participation and inclusion within ENHANCE

The overall design aimed to establish a shared understanding of the ENHANCE Alliance and support a tailor-made approach to the future European Higher Education and Research Area.

Assessment and Outcomes

Course assessment combined formal and informal evaluation tools, including:

Questionnaires
Focus group discussions
One-minute papers

Participants defined daily learning outcomes aligned with session objectives and underwent continuous assessment (daily pass/fail evaluation by course tutors), culminating in final evaluation and certification.

By the end of the Staff Week, participants reported an increased awareness and confidence in managing contemporary university administration tasks within a European university alliance context.

Organised by Warsaw University of Technology

The second ENHANCE Staff Week was organised by the Warsaw University of Technology and focused on the development of a new conceptual and practical framework for virtual education within the ENHANCE Alliance.

ENHANCE Staff Weeks are designed to actively involve university staff in shaping the future European University of Technology. They foster closer collaboration among employees, support the modernisation of university administration, and strengthen commitment to the Alliance’s shared values.

Objectives and Learning Focus

Staff Week 2 addressed the challenges and opportunities of innovative learning environments in a digital and international context. The programme encouraged participants to rethink teaching and learning models in response to emerging needs such as virtual education, digital collaboration, and student engagement across institutions.

Programme Content

The Staff Week featured a dedicated Innovative Learning Environments programme, structured around three interactive workshops:

Co-creation in learning design
Service learning as a tool for societal engagement
Research-based learning to strengthen the education–research nexus

Through these workshops, participants explored pedagogical approaches that support virtual education and contribute to the long-term development of ENHANCE educational pathways.

Outcomes and Reflections

Participants expressed strong motivation and enthusiasm for the ENHANCE project, while also identifying challenges related to implementation and the need for clearer operational guidelines across the Alliance. The discussions generated valuable feedback and concrete ideas to support the sustainable development of virtual education within ENHANCE.

Overall, Staff Week 2 provided staff with essential knowledge and practical insights to contribute to the Alliance’s educational innovation agenda and to the future legislative and structural evolution of European higher education

Organised by Chalmers University of Technology, Gothenburg

The third ENHANCE Staff Week, organised by Chalmers University of Technology in Gothenburg, focused on Education Pathways Towards Virtual Exchange and the strategic development of virtual mobility within the ENHANCE Alliance.

ENHANCE Staff Weeks provide a platform for active staff participation in shaping the future European University of Technology. They aim to strengthen collaboration across institutions, support the modernisation of university administration, and reinforce shared Alliance values.

Objectives and Learning Focus

Staff Week 3 concentrated on the conceptualisation and implementation of virtual mobility as a complement to physical mobility. Discussions addressed how virtual exchange can enhance accessibility, inclusion, and student participation across the Alliance.

Key topics included:

Design and implementation of virtual mobility schemes
Selection of ENHANCE students for virtual exchange
Purpose, structure, and academic recognition of virtual courses

Programme Outcomes

Participants worked collaboratively to identify opportunities and challenges related to virtual exchange within ENHANCE. While some implementation uncertainties were acknowledged, the Staff Week was characterised by high motivation, engagement, and constructive dialogue. Participants highlighted the need for clearer guidelines and shared frameworks to support consistent implementation across Alliance partners.

Key Takeaways

The Staff Week offered valuable insights into:

Innovative learning models in contemporary higher education
Institutional capacity for developing new educational pathways
Strong student involvement and commitment at Chalmers University of Technology

Overall, Staff Week 3 equipped participants with essential knowledge and strategic perspectives to contribute to the long-term development of virtual exchange and the legislative and structural evolution of the ENHANCE Alliance. The experience reinforced the shared belief that new, more inclusive models of European higher education are both possible and necessary.

Hosted by Technische Universität Berlin | September

The fourth ENHANCE Staff Week, hosted by Technische Universität Berlin (TU Berlin) in late September, focused on staff development, human resources strategies, and international cooperation within the ENHANCE Alliance.

The programme addressed key challenges related to Human Resources Strategy for Researchers (HRS4R), career development for non-academic staff, and the design of staff development instruments that can be implemented collaboratively at European level.

Participation and Scope

The Staff Week brought together representatives from all ENHANCE member universities, including the three new members TU Delft, ETH Zurich, and Gdańsk University of Technology, reinforcing the Alliance’s growing reach and diversity.

Key Themes and Discussions

Participants explored how ENHANCE can create added value for member institutions through:

Enhanced collaboration in staff development
Knowledge transfer between universities
Development of joint and shared training courses
Better use of existing staff development offers across the Alliance

Member universities were encouraged to present short thematic talks highlighting best practices and innovative approaches to staff development at their home institutions.

A strong consensus emerged around the need to expand staff mobility opportunities within ENHANCE, while also recognising the importance of securing adequate and sustainable funding to support such initiatives.

Programme Highlights

The Staff Week opened with collective activities aimed at fostering networking and familiarisation with TU Berlin, the host institution, and the ENHANCE Alliance.

Participants were formally welcomed by:

Dr Ulrike Hillemann-Delaney, Director of International Affairs, TU Berlin
Christian Schröder, Vice-President for Education, TU Berlin
Professor Stefano Ronchi, ENHANCE Steering Committee Chair and Rector’s Delegate, Politecnico di Milano

In their addresses, the speakers emphasised the strategic importance of staff development for the future of European higher education and encouraged participants to actively shape the next phase of the ENHANCE Alliance. The presence of ENHANCE Vice-Presidents, meeting in parallel for the Steering Committee, further underlined the institutional relevance of the event.

Outcomes

Beyond knowledge exchange, participants used the Staff Week to co-develop ideas for future ENHANCE proposals, contributing to the long-term sustainability and impact of the Alliance for upcoming generations.

Hosted in Milan | 13–15 June

The fifth ENHANCE Staff Week, titled “ENHANCing Talent for All”, was held in Milan from 13 to 15 June and focused on diversity, inclusion, and equal opportunities as core values of the ENHANCE Alliance.

The Staff Week brought together administrative staff from all ENHANCE partner universities, working in areas such as human resources, equal opportunities, marketing and recruitment, and student services. Participants were invited to engage in an international learning experience addressing societal challenges central to the mission of European universities of technology.

Participation and Objectives

A total of 23 participants from eight partner universities, together with colleagues from the two associated Ukrainian partners—Lviv Polytechnic National University and Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute—took part in the event.

The primary objective was to foster equal opportunities and inclusive environments, reflecting ENHANCE’s belief that diversity and gender equality are key drivers of innovation and organisational well-being. The Staff Week reinforced the Alliance’s commitment to creating safe, accessible, and equitable academic and professional spaces for all members.

Programme Structure and Themes

The three-day programme combined testimonials, expert lectures, group work, panel discussions, and field visits, with each day dedicated to a specific theme:

Day 1: Valuing diversity
Day 2: Revealing and supporting talent
Day 3: Addressing and overcoming stereotypes

Through these activities, participants exchanged best practices, explored institutional policies on diversity and inclusion, and reflected on the role of universities in fostering inclusive cultures that enable talent to thrive.

Key Takeaways and Impact

The Staff Week served as a platform for mutual learning and international collaboration, strengthening the ENHANCE community of practitioners working on inclusion and accessibility. Participants gained deeper insight into diversity policies across partner institutions and identified opportunities for joint projects and future initiatives.

In closing remarks, ENHANCE leadership highlighted the importance of unity across borders, emphasising that diversity should be valued as a source of strength and enrichment within the European Higher Education Area. Staff Week 5 reaffirmed ENHANCE’s role as a space for dialogue, reflection, and action on diversity and inclusion, empowering participants to act as ambassadors for positive change within their institutions.

Hosted by RWTH Aachen University | 17–20 October

The sixth ENHANCE Staff Week, titled “ENHANCing Intercultural Skills for the International Workplace”, was hosted by RWTH Aachen University from 17 to 20 October and focused on strengthening international and intercultural competencies among technical and administrative staff.

The Staff Week invited staff members seeking to enhance their ability to work effectively in international environments, supporting the ENHANCE Alliance’s commitment to internationalisation, inclusion, and cross-cultural collaboration.

Objectives and Learning Approach

The event provided a collaborative space for staff from different ENHANCE partner universities to exchange experiences, share best practices, and develop practical intercultural skills. The programme combined testimonials, expert lectures, group work, and field visits, with each day dedicated to a specific thematic focus.

Programme Structure and Themes

Day 1 – Internationalisation
The Staff Week opened with a welcome address by Dr Henriette Finsterbusch, Head of the International Office at RWTH Aachen University. Participants explored internationalisation strategies, exchanged institutional practices, and engaged in a speed-dating activity with international students, researchers, and associations. These first-hand accounts informed group work on conceptualising the ideal international university.
Day 2 – Intercultural Communication
Day two focused on communication across cultures, addressing topics such as cultural awareness, stereotypes, cultural standards, and conflict resolution. Participants reflected on real-life scenarios and discussed how intercultural competencies support effective collaboration in international teams and service provision for international students and staff.
Day 3 – Language and Teamwork Skills
The final day centred on language training, with a focus on political correctness and working in international teams, reinforcing inclusive and respectful communication practices in multicultural professional contexts.

Outcomes

Staff Week 6 equipped participants with practical tools and enhanced awareness to navigate intercultural challenges in the international workplace. The experience strengthened cross-institutional networks and reinforced the role of intercultural competence as a key enabler of collaboration, inclusion, and excellence within the ENHANCE Alliance.

ENHANCE for Staff

ENHANCE offers an diverse selection of opportunities for staff to learn, exchange and expand their professional network across our alliance and beyond. We offer staff members the possibility to leave their working place and explore Europe across our ten member universities.