HEIComp event highlights success in the evolution of higher education and the project's next international steps

The "HEIComp: Learning and Results 2023" event took place virtually on 5 March 2024 under the mediation of Márcia Agostini Ribeiro, the project's communications coordinator. In a panel discussion, the participants outlined the success achieved by the project so far, providing a detailed overview of the results obtained by each academic institution involved and by the groups targeted by the project.

HEIComp is an innovative programme that brings together five countries in the pursuit of educational progress. The project began in January 2023 and will run for three years. It involves three European institutions (LAUREA University of Applied Sciences - Finland, Porto Polytechnic Institute - Portugal and Transilvania University of Brasov - Romania), two from Paraguay (Autonomous University of Encarnación - UNAE and National University of Itapua - UNI), and four from Brazil (National Telecommunications Institute - INATEL, Gorutuba Valley Institute - FAVAG, University Center of Southern Minas Gerais - UNIS and U.Experience Internationalisation Consultancy).

With financial support from the European Union through the Erasmus+ Capacity Building programme, the HEIComp project aims to integrate academic studies with the professional working lives of students and regional companies, providing a comprehensive learning experience connected to the challenges of the labor market.

During the "HEIComp: Learning and Results 2023" event, the project's Paraguayan and Brazilian coordinators shared the benefits, best practices and future plans related to the implementation of the new teaching methodology in the curricula of the participating institutions. Teachers, students and representatives of the companies involved in the project also had the opportunity to present their experience with the Working Life Connected (WLC) methodology, providing a comprehensive overview of the project's impact on their professional and institutional development.

– In the first year of the HEIComp project, a lot happened. In 2023, Brazilians and Paraguayans HEIComp partners conducted a total of 42 WLC pilot projects with companies and communities. A total of 460 students under the supervision of 46 professors implemented these projects. 40 professors also completed Laurea’s 30 credits “Working Life Connected Teaching Coach” training. On behalf of Laurea, I would like to thank all the professors, students and partners who participated in the pilot projects, stated Prof. Tero Uusitalo, Senior Lecturer at LAUREA and HEIComp Project Manager.

The event was addressed to national and international academic partner institutions, managers, consortium communication departments and traditional media. It was attended by the following speakers Tero Uusitalo (Laurea, Finland), Matías Denis, Liz Escurra, Gabriel Sotelo (UNAE, Paraguay), Luis Tancredi (FAVAG, Brazil), Guilherme Marcondes (INATEL, Brazil), Susana Lugo (UNI, Paraguay), Thiago Souza (UNIS, Brazil), Lic Olga Fischer (Cámara Paraguaya de Turismo de las Misiones Jesuíticas).

The virtual event featured collaborative discussions, underlining the commitment of the participating institutions to promoting innovative, quality education. Based on the results and lessons learnt over the past year, the programme is expected to grow stronger, transforming the lives of students and contributing to the development of society as a whole.

Watch the  event on HEIComp's YouTube channel (@HeiComp) 

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