Navigating Complexity: ICA Leading the Circular Bioeconomy Transformation
will be held on 16 and 17 October 2025
at BOKU University, Vienna, Austria
This forum provides a dedicated platform to explore the evolving Science–Policy Interface and to showcase best practices in knowledge mobilization by ICA's life science universities
See the Forum Programme and Register
Please hear the Invitation to the Forum
form BOKU Rector Eva Schulev-Steindl
Shaping Europe’s Bioeconomy Strategy: Contributions from European Life Science Universities
The 𝗘𝘂𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗮𝗻 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗶𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 has made a call for evidence and public consultation to take into account the perspectives of stakeholders, especially young people, SMEs (including start-ups), non-governmental organisations, trade unions, and primary producers.
ICA has responded to the call by submitting the attached document on 23 June
🟢 We believe that integrating sustainability, circularity, and resilience into the bioeconomy is key to tackling global challenges such as climate change, biodiversity loss, and food system resilience.
🟢 Our Life Science Universities are ready to drive innovation, provide evidence-based knowledge for policymaking, and equip future professionals with the interdisciplinary skills needed for Europe’s green and digital transitions.
Recommendations for Education Pathways Initiatives to Support Transformations to the Bioeconomy
The ICA Community of Practice for Bioeconomy Education in Europe (ICA-CoP Bio-Edu) recognises the statements in the call document of skills shortages as the new green jobs come on stream and expand as the EU transforms towards the Bioeconomy. Consequently ICA-CoP Bio-Edu proposes that in the new Bioeconomy Strategy the following actions should be taken by the European Commission under the guidance of a Bioeconomy Skills Observatory, to address the skills shortages::
- Reinforcing Interdisciplinarity in curricula
- Lifelong Learning – collaboration between industry and universities
- Learning communities driving the transformations to the bioeconomy
Read the full recommendations of the ICA-CoP Bio-Edu submission in the attached submission document
The ICA Community of Practice for Bioeconomy Education in Europe (ICA-CoP Bio-Edu) is a Committee of the Board of ICA. More information about ICA-CoP Bio-Edu can be found here
The Circular Bioeconomy and Sustainable Development
Download the flyer to see the detailed programme and registration details. Deadline for registration 5 May
ICA Rectors and Deans Forum 2025 will be held on 16 and 17 October at BOKU University, Vienna. The theme: Navigating Complexity: ICA Leading the Circular Bioeconomy Transformation. See full details here
The ICA General Assembly 2025 will be held online on Wednesday 18 June from 13.00 to 15.00.
READ MORE to see the full list of all ICA, ICA Board Committees, ICA Standing Committees and ICA Partner events to be held in 2025 - the list will be updated as events are announced
The ICA General Assembly 2025
was held online on 18 June from 13.00 - 15.00 CEST
Representation at the General Assembly
The General Assembly is open to all staff and students of ICA Member Institutions, and all are warmly invited to attend. The Assembly is considered duly constituted when at least one-third of the Member Institutions are represented.
Registration is closed
Maria Knutson-Wedel, President of ICA, presemted the annual report on activities during 2024 and 2025 on behalf of the ICA Board.
ICA-CoP Bio-Edu 2025 Learning Communities for the transformation to the bioeconomy: innovation by dialogue between partners
Webinar No1: Two Case Studies of Learning Communities at a local level (a region within one country)
To be held on Monday 19 May from 13.00 to 14.00 CET
Presenters:
Christian Klar, Head of Coordination Centre BioökonomieREVIER, Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Jülich, Germany
Raymond Sparreboom, Academy for Technology and Innovation, Avans University of Applied Sciences, The Netherlands
Click on Read more below to see the presenters abstracts and the short bios, and Register
ICA-CoP Bio-Edu Workshop 2024
Download the Workshop Report from the programme page
Engaging with the corporate world to enhance the provision by life science universities and faculties of lifelong learning for professionals in the Bioeconomy
ICA-Edu Workshop 2024
Downlaod the Workshop Report from the progarmme page
Developing best teaching and learning practices for the professional use of AI in Life Sciences Higher Education
The call is launched to recognise individuals who have achieved excellence in furthering the values and mission of ICA.
Read more to see the full details of the call and and download your nomination form
Application Deadline 12 May 2025