UAlg attends European University of the Seas consortium meetings

From 29-31 May, at the University of Gdansk, Poland, the SEA-EU Staff Week was held within the framework of the themes related to the promotion of language skills and the definition of language policies. Neuza Costa and Pedro Sousa, lecturers from the Faculty of Human and Social Sciences (FCHS), were present and presented the situation in UAlg, prepared with Manuel Célio Conceição, also lecturer at FCHS and member of this group within the alliance.

This event, which brought together foreign language teachers, language centre directors and SEA-EU administrative staff, outlined the main objectives of promoting multilingualism and English language competence and started planning the creation of a language policy for the alliance. Team meetings were held to introduce the different partners; discuss the learning needs of teaching and non-teaching staff, face-to-face and remote training provision and the creation of language policies; conferences dedicated to minority languages and online teaching; and a panel discussion on the link between language teaching and the labour market.

On 30 and 31 May, the fourth meeting took place at the University of West Brittany in Brest, France, in the context of the task "Design of a SEA-EU common long-term research plan" (reSEArch EU), whose main objectives are to develop research activities among the institutions of the consortium and explore the research themes, challenges and meanings to build a solid foundation for the consortium and thus provide a roadmap for researchers.

Representing UAlg were the vice-rector for Research and Culture, Nuno Bicho, and the head of division of Information and Statistics of the Research Support Unit, Maria João Cruz.

The first face-to-face meeting of the groups responsible for communication within the SEA-EU Alliance was held at the University of Malta in Valletta on 30-31 May. This event brought together the heads of the communication offices of all partners, who approved a new visual identity for the SEA-EU brand and a new logo, according to the strategic communication plan that this group is developing. UAlg was represented by the coordinator of the Communication and Protocol Office (GCP), André Botelheiro.

Another working group, coordinated by Manuel Célio Conceição, which includes experts in science communication from the nine partners, met on the same dates and at the same university to discuss the different perceptions of the concept of science communication for later establishment of an operative definition accepted by all. Work has started on the preparation of guidelines for science communication within the alliance, after a presentation on the state of play in this area in each of the universities. These guidelines should be approved by the end of 2023.

This group also includes Ana Matias (CIMA), Gabriela Borges (ESEC) and Laura Alves (Communication and Protocol Office). Besides the coordinator, UAlg was represented in Malta by Ana Matias and Gabriela Borges.