ASSOCIATION FOR EUROPEAN LIFE SCIENCE UNIVERSITIES

relating to the circular bioeconomy, the sustainable use of natural resources, the protection of the environment and rural development.

We aim to enhance our members' success in education, research and innovation for a sustainable bioeconomy and society, by engaging with European and global institutions and networks, to share experience, cooperate in new ventures, and benefit from the resulting synergy.

Biodiversity Challenge for ICA Members 2024

By 31 January join the 2024 Biodiversity Challenge for ICA members organised by Wageningen University and Research (WUR).  Watch the video from last year’s Challenge here  The idea of the Biodiversity Challenge is to organise simultaneous monitoring of biodiversity (a BioBlitz) at all ICA member campuses between 2nd May and 28th June.

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See the map of the 19 participating ICA member univetrsities

Upcoming ICA and ICA Standing Committee Events in 2024

Upcoming 14th ICA Rectors and Deans Forum 2024 will be held on 24 and 25 October 2024 at the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Zagreb, Croatia.  The Forum will address The Future of Agriculture: implications for Life Science Universities which will build from the 2024 EU Strategic Dialogue on the Future of Agriculture.

The ICA General Assembly will be held online on Thursday 6 June at 15.00.

See the full list of all ICA, ICA Board Committees and ICA Standing Committees events to be held in 2024 - the list will be updated as events are announced

Project: Education & Nature-Based Solutions (NBS): bending the curve for biodiversity (eNaBLS)

In January 2024 ICA together with 10 other partners initiated the start of this 3 year Horizon Europe funded project.

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The project will set the basis of networking and collaboration with a view to promoting transdisciplinary dialogue and further embedding and unfolding NBS concepts and approaches within universities and vocational schools.

 

ICA President's Winter Greeting 2024

Maria Knutson Wedel 80 pxlYear 2024. A new year and a first for me as the new president of ICA. We are living in times of rapid change and there are many challenges, both current and future, to address.

The good news is that life science universities and faculties are needed more than ever. Being in the locus of it all, we can, should and will be key actors in providing new knowledge and innovations that will contribute to a future sustainable society and bioeconomy. Together, in continued partnership and cooperation, we will make a difference. I look forward to working together. I hope you will continue taking part in meetings, webinars and sharing knowledge as well as discussing how ICA can continue to be of use and relevant for all of us.

On Friday 2 February, I welcomed the ICA board at my university, the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, for our first board meeting. I would like to share with you some of the things we had on the table.

ICA Excellence Awards 2024 Call for Nominations

The Board of the Association for European Life Science Universities (ICA) wishes to recognise individuals who have achieved excellence in furthering the values and mission of ICA.

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Deadline for nominations extended until 6 May 2024.  Read more for the full details of the call.

COMMUNIQUÉ to LEADERS at the WHO, WAHO, FAO, UNEP, IPBES, IPPC & EC

Life Sciences Universities connecting the One Health Challenge with Carbon Neutrality and Biodiversity

The Rectors, Deans and Senior Management of the Association for European Life Science Universities (ICA) at our annual Forum, held in Lille, France on 19 and 20 October 2023, addressed the challenges for academia to contribute effectively in achieving healthy people and healthy animals in a healthy shared environment.  This communique is the outcome of the discussions and is issued by our Presindent on behalf of ICA's members

OneHealth Triad