Inese Podgaiska’s Post

Neither does the pact explicitly acknowledge the critical role of universities in contributing to breakthroughs in science, technology and innovation or their vital work in social sciences, which is critical to changing human behaviour and solving local and global challenges. The important role of international partnerships in higher education and research to address inequality and support capacity building is largely missing...

Dear Colleagues, Mentors, and Friends, I am a PhD student in Education at the University of Cambridge, originally from a small town in China and the first in my family to attend university. Growing up in a single-parent household with an annual income of less than £7,000, I never imagined I would one day study at one of the world’s leading institutions. This journey has been a dream built on perseverance, hard work, and the generous guidance of many mentors and friends. My research focuses on the experiences of disadvantaged international students—those from non-middle-class backgrounds—who, like me, face systemic barriers in accessing higher education. I aim to explore their struggles, resilience, and strategies for navigating inequitable global education systems. However, I now find myself facing a challenge I feared the most: the financial burden of self-funding my PhD is simply unsustainable. International tuition fees are three times higher than those for domestic students, and while I’ve worked tirelessly to save for my studies, it has become clear that without external support, I cannot continue. Through conversations with other self-funded students, I’ve realized something heartbreaking: most receive substantial family support, and securing scholarships post-enrollment is nearly impossible. This leaves me grappling with a stark reality: the very system I’m studying—the inequities in higher education—is now forcing me to question whether I can tell the stories I am so passionate about. Inspired by Professor Catherine Montgomery's sharing on the comparative UK PhD theses about China and India at the end of #ChinaHEConference2024, I further question the very structure of the global knowledge production system why is it that we—students from former colonies, developing countries, or the Global South—are required to pay exorbitant tuition fees to study in developed countries, often former colonial powers? So I am at a crossroads. I am considering withdrawing from my current program and reapplying for a fully funded PhD position in 2025, whether at Cambridge or elsewhere. This is not an easy decision, but it reflects my commitment to continuing this research and amplifying the voices of disadvantaged students who, like me, are navigating these barriers. I write to you, my network, in search of guidance: Are there scholarships or funding opportunities available to currently enrolled international students in similar situations? Do you know of institutions recruiting fully funded PhD candidates in related fields? Or perhaps you have advice on how I might navigate this moment? As someone who has been blessed with incredible mentors and friends throughout my journey, I am deeply grateful for this community. Your insights, advice, or even words of encouragement would mean the world to me as I work toward finding a way forward. Thank you for taking the time to read my story and for any guidance you can share. Warm regards, Eve

📢 𝟭 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸 𝗹𝗲𝗳𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗴𝗼! 𝗟𝗶𝗺𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝘀𝗽𝗼𝘁𝘀 𝗮𝘃𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 📢 The Australia-Korea Business Council (AKBC) and the Australian Embassy in Seoul are delighted to invite you to the webinar on Korea's Higher Education Reform on 19 March 2024. This briefing session will provide Australian higher education institutions with an update on the ongoing higher education reforms in the Republic of Korea, particularly the Glocal Universities Initiative. 📅 𝗗𝗮𝘁𝗲: 𝗧𝘂𝗲𝘀𝗱𝗮𝘆, 𝟭𝟵 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟰 🕒 𝗧𝗶𝗺𝗲: 𝟭𝟭𝗔𝗠-𝟭𝟮𝗣𝗠 (𝗞𝗦𝗧) / 𝟭𝗣𝗠-𝟮𝗣𝗠 (𝗔𝗘𝗗𝗧) 📍 𝗩𝗲𝗻𝘂𝗲: 𝗢𝗻𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲 💰 𝗖𝗼𝘀𝘁: 𝗙𝗿𝗲𝗲 𝗨𝗻𝗹𝗼𝗰𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗣𝗼𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗮𝗹: 𝗞𝗼𝗿𝗲𝗮'𝘀 𝗛𝗶𝗴𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗘𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗥𝗲𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺 The Korean Ministry of Education announced the "Regional Innovation System and Education (RISE)" plan on 1 February 2023 to strengthen regional universities as hubs of local innovation – one of the government’s main education reform goals to be implemented last year. The ministry intends to allocate over half of its university grant budget to local governments, enabling them to devise plans tailored to local needs. The RISE plan also supports "Glocal" universities in forging partnerships with global companies and institutions to address local economic priorities, with ten Glocal universities set to receive a KRW 100 billion (AUD $115 million each) grant over five years. 𝗚𝗹𝗼𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗰𝘁: 𝗔𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗮-𝗞𝗼𝗿𝗲𝗮 𝗖𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗼𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗶𝗻 𝗔𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 Learn how the University of Newcastle and the Pusan National University are leading the way in leveraging this Glocal Universities initiative for mutual benefit. A$1.3 million commitment from the National Research Foundation of Korea has fueled a transformative partnership between the University of Newcastle, Port of Newcastle, and Pusan National University. This agreement aims to establish a green ammonia power generation research centre, advancing clean energy research and contributing to global net-zero emissions goals. 𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗮𝗸𝗲𝗿𝘀 MC: Ms. Liz Griffin, CEO of the Australia-Korea Business Council Mr Jeff Robinson, Australian Ambassador-designate to the Republic of Korea Professor Woo-Seung Kim, Vice-Chairman at Glocal University Committee Professor Kent Anderson, Deputy Vice-Chancellor Global Office of the DVC Global Engagement & Partnerships at the University of Newcastle Professor Chung-Hwan Jeon, Vice-President of External Affairs for Research and Collaboration at Pusan National University Ms. Janine Pitt, Counsellor - Education and Research for the Republic of Korea and Japan at the Australian Embassy Read more about the event and register now! 👇 https://lnkd.in/gww9r7PN #education #partnerships #koreaneducation #korea #koreanuniversities

As a university professor, I'm thrilled to read a love letter like this.  Citations from the QUESTIONNAIRE TO THE COMMISSIONER-DESIGNATE Ekaterina ZAHARIEVA, Startups, Research and Innovation * "I am committed to creating further synergies between education, research and innovation, and contributing to simultaneous implementation of European Education Area and European Research Area policies." * "I will contribute to creating a true European space where knowledge, skills and talents can freely circulate for studying or working in another Member State. " * "Higher education institutions have a unique position at the crossroads of education, research and innovation." * "Facilitating the participation of female scientists in these actions [i. e. MSCA and Erasmus+] would be a particular focus of my plan to support women in research, innovation and start-ups/scale-ups." * "Inclusivity and accessibility remain a top priority for our research and higher education sectors. I want to continue supporting these goals, including by supporting the work to strengthen the European Universities alliances." She addresses many more items on my wishlist. See it here: https://lnkd.in/eCTSx9Af 

The Irish government has pledged to collaborate closely with the Kenyan government to advance Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education. This commitment was highlighted during the launch of the 7th edition of the Young Scientists Kenya (YSK) programme. Irish Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Defence, Micheál Martin, emphasized Ireland's dedication to promoting STEM education, with a special focus on encouraging young women and girls. Mr. Martin praised the National Science and Technology Exhibition in Kenya, which is modeled after the Irish BT Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition (BT YSTE). He noted that the BT YSTE has played a significant role in driving Ireland's economic growth by fostering innovation and nurturing young talent, contributing to a culture of scientific inquiry and entrepreneurship over the past 60 years. He expressed strong support for the YSK initiative, noting its alignment with global goals for educational excellence and innovation. “Ireland fully supports YSK’s mission to inspire and empower young minds in Kenya and beyond,” Mr. Martin stated. This partnership aims to address global challenges and drive sustainable development through investment in youth and their scientific endeavors. For this year's edition, YSK has received 1,780 project abstracts under the theme "Using STEM to Champion Climate Change Solutions." YSK National Director, Dr. Eng. Victor Mwongera, highlighted the exhibition’s goal to inspire students, showcase their research, and foster skills for further scientific advancement and commercialization. #STEMEducation #GlobalPartnership #Innovation #YoungScientistsKenya #IrishSupport #ClimateChangeSolutions #EducationalExcellence #YouthEmpowerment

I had the amazing opportunity to attend an interactive conference organized by the League of Romanian Students Abroad (LSRS) United Kingdom at the Romanian Cultural Institute in partnership with Tinerii Votează. **ABOUT:** The conference brought together representatives of Romanian authorities, prominent members of the Romanian academic community in the UK, and specialists in civic participation. We explored the importance of voting and the vital role of research communities in promoting active and informed citizen engagement. The event also marked the launch of the Association of Romanian Researchers in the United Kingdom. This provided an opportunity to discuss the benefits of such an association and a strong scientific community, highlighting the remarkable success of Romanian researchers in the UK. Miss Ambassador to the UK, Laura Popescu spoke about the importance of young people voting and the significance of the young research community. We also had a debate on why voting is important, how it changes our society when young people get involved, and effective ways to encourage this involvement. Later, we had a panel featuring PhD students: George Obada, a Biomedical Engineering PhD student at King's College London, and Alexandra Lacatusu a BioIntegrated Design student at UCL They answered the following questions: **Research Focus:** - "Can you tell me more about your research and what inspired you to choose this topic?" - "What are the main goals and potential impacts of your research?" **Challenges and Experiences:** - "What has been the most challenging aspect of your PhD journey so far?" - "How do you manage setbacks or challenges in your research?" **Academic Environment:** - "How do you find the academic environment and support at King's?" - "What resources or support systems at the university have been most helpful to you?" **Practical Advice:** - "Do you have any tips for managing workload and staying motivated during a PhD?" - "What advice would you give to someone considering pursuing a PhD?" **Future Plans:** - "What are your career plans after completing your PhD?" - "How do you think your research will influence your future career?" **Personal Insights:** - "What do you enjoy most about your research?" - "How do you balance your research with other aspects of your life?" We discussed effective ways of organizing and collaborating, encouraging participants to share their ideas and experiences. Don't miss the chance to get actively involved in this vibrant community!

🇪🇺 European Commission Political Guidelines 2024-2029🚀 On 18 July 2024, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who has been confirmed today for a second mandate, presented to the European Parliament her Political Guidelines for the next European Commission 2024-2029 🇪🇺 🎯 Key highlights on #skills and #Education: 🔹 The European Union is committed to enhancing its competitive edge by addressing skill shortages and labor market needs. Initiatives include: - 📈 Establishing a Union of Skills focusing on investment, adult learning, and skill retention. - 📚 Embedding lifelong learning into education and careers. - 👩🏫 Supporting the training and career prospects of teachers. 🔹 Enhancing STEM Education To tackle the decline in performance and lack of qualified teachers in STEM fields, the EU will: - 🧑🔬 Propose a STEM Education Strategic Plan. - 👩🔬 Encourage more girls and women to pursue STEM education and careers. 🔹 Vocational Education and Training (VET) Recognizing the importance of VET in preparing individuals for the workforce, the EU will: - 🛠️ Propose a European Strategy for Vocational Education and Training. - 🎓 Boost the number of people with a secondary VET degree. - 💼 Ensure skills funding is better linked to labor markets and focused on sectors crucial for digital and green transitions. 🔹 Skills Portability and Recognition To ensure high-quality skills are recognized across borders, the EU will: - 🌍 Work towards a European Degree. - 🌐 Implement a Skills Portability Initiative to facilitate the recognition of skills across member states. 📚 Investing in skills and education is essential for Europe's prosperity and competitive future. #Skills #Education #VET #STEM #LifelongLearning EfVET European Association of Institutes for Vocational Training (EVBB) European Vocational Training Association - EVTA EURASHE eucen Cedefop European Training Foundation World Federation of Colleges and Polytechnics (WFCP) WorldSkills International National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER) Agência Nacional Erasmus+ Educação e Formação SEPIE - Servicio Español para la Internacionalización de la Educación Teresa e Alexandre Soares dos Santos - Iniciativa Educação Euro App Mobility ENAIP Veneto Grupo ENSINUS Chiara Riondino EU Employment & Skills

In August I defended my master thesis “Younger generation’s seat at the table: On including youth perspectives in Just Transition in Upper Silesia, Poland” and I’m happy to share that I have graduated from KU Leuven with Magna Cum Laude! My thesis looked at whether young people’s needs and perspectives are included in the just transition in Upper Silesia, but also examined what is the relation between climate urgency and just transition – looking especially at young people’s perspectives of urgency. I would like to use this occasion to share some insights from my thesis research. In a nutshell, the main conclusion of my work shows that unfortunately, young people are poorly included in just transition in the region. Just to mention a few findings, some of the problems include: ➡️ unequal treatment of young individuals,  ➡️ lack of trust from young people towards local authorities, and vice versa,  ➡️ limited access to funds or planning related to the just transition. ➡️ weak communication about the process, that relies on outdated communication sources, and uses formal language that might be unfamiliar to young people. In summary, what can be done?  1️⃣ Promote Awareness - highlight that the just transition is already underway and explain its principles and the upcoming changes in Silesia. 2️⃣ Target Young Audiences - utilize media channels that effectively reach young people. 3️⃣ Youth Working Group - establish a youth working group dedicated to the just transition in the region. 4️⃣ Build Trust - foster trust between politicians and young individuals. Next year, further projects will be planned under the Just Transition Fund (if the funds are secured in the EU budget for 2028-2034). Therefore, it’s vital for young people to have access to information about these plans and to be consulted in these projects, as these changes largely impact future generations. Thank you to my interviewees, my thesis supervisor Katrien Pype, and my internship host Park Naukowo-Technologiczny Euro-Centrum. I also want to thank my colleagues at Centre for Systems Solutions (CRS) for allowing me to have flexible work time, while studying. #SprawiedliwaTransformacja #JustTransition

🚀 Breaking News: The FOR-EU4All awarded European funding!  We are thrilled to announce the launch of the #FOREU4All project, bringing together over 60 European Universities alliances into a unified Community of Practice. This initiative aims to bring together all current and future European Universities alliances into a unified, cohesive structure.   Together, the alliances will foster a collaborative and supportive environment where best practices and experiences can be shared not only among themselves but also with the broader European Higher Education sector. As key players in the European Education & Research Area, European Universities alliances are pioneering deep transnational cooperation to drive lasting transformation in higher education  Read more: https://lnkd.in/dTrCtj_P  💭 Get inspired, grow together #Letsunite #HigherEducation #EUAlliances #StrongerTogether

🚀 Call for Applications: European Student Assembly 2025, Until December 1, 2024 (23:59 CET) We are excited to announce the European Student Assembly 2025 (ESA25), a unique opportunity for students from our alliance to engage in a transformative European initiative. The event, which will be held at the European Parliament in Strasbourg from May 26 to 28, 2025, brings together students from all over Europe to discuss and propose solutions to some of the continent’s most pressing challenges. Who can apply? Students from all fields and levels of study (from Bachelor's 2nd year to PhD), who are enrolled in one of the 64 European Universities Alliances. New participants can apply as participants or panel coordinators, while returning students from past editions can apply as panel coordinators. Application period: 🗓️ Until December 1, 2024 (23:59 CET): https://lnkd.in/giYWspFE More info: https://lnkd.in/dPV8aiN8 Technische Universität Darmstadt  Aalto University  Technische Universität Graz  Grenoble INP - UGA  Université Grenoble Alpes  Kungliga Tekniska högskolan  Politecnico di Torino  Universidade de Lisboa  Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC)  Wrocław University of Science and Technology  💭 Get inspired, grow together #Letsunite #europeanuniversities#ESA25 #EuropeanStudentAssembly #EUCVoices #ErasmusPlus #EuropeanUniversities