ASSOCIATION FOR EUROPEAN LIFE SCIENCE UNIVERSITIES

The ICA Events to be held at the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Zagreb, Croatia, 23-25 October 2024.

1. ICA-CoP Bio-Edu Workshop on 23 and 24 October 2024: Engaging with the corporate world to enhance the provision by life science universities of lifelong learning for professionals in the Bioeconomy. 
2. ICA-Edu Workshop on 23 and 24 October 2024: Developing best teaching and learning practices for the professional use of AI in Life Science Higher Education.  (Hybrid event)
   
3. 14th ICA Rectors and Deans Forum on 24 and 25 October 2024:  The Future of Agriculture and Forestry in Europe: implications for Life Science Universities
4. Faculty of Agriculture, University of Zagreb: Local programme Friday 25 October @14.00 after the Forum: The future for sustainable wine production: from vineyard to bottle

Register for each event here

The ICA General Assembly was held online on Thursday 6 June at 15.00.  See the reports presented at the General Assembly here

See the full list of all ICA, ICA Board Committees and ICA Standing Committees events held or to be held in 2024 25 - the list will be updated as events are announced

ICA is collaborating with the BioRural Project Consortium.  The Project has organised a "European Bioeconomy Challenge" and ICA ecourages all its members to participate.

The challenge is organised into four geographic regions in Europe: Northeast Call, Northwest Call, Southeast Call and Southwest Call, each with its own Call for applications, closing in unison on July 28, 2024. However, appliactions for the North East Region Call has been extended to August 18

INVITATION TO PARTICIPATE IN eNaBLS SURVEYS

Did you know that HE funded project eNaBlS is running another survey? 🎯
The surveys focuses on the concepts of Nature-Based Solutions and biodiversity loss in higher education curricula. 🎓
👉 Are you involved in teaching at universities or TVET organisations? Then, don’t miss the opportunity to provide your perspective on the matter!

Click on the links to join the surveys:

NBS & Biodiversity Loss Concepts in Higher Education Curricula

Biodiversity & NBS Awareness in Europe

Collaboration Patterns Among Universities & TVETs

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

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.  See full details on the the website

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 2^nd May and 28^th June.

See the map of the 19 participating ICA member univetrsities

Year 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.

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.

Call for nominations is now closed.  The Award Winners will be announced on 14 October at the ICA Rectors and Deans Forum.  Read more for the full details of the call.

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

At the Rectors and Deans Forum on 19 October 2023 the ICA Excellence Awards 2023 were presented by Arthur Mol, President of ICA to Prof. Martin Gerzabek and Matthias Tips.