Back EUTOPIA continues, but in a different way. Pelegrí Viader

EUTOPIA continues, but in a different way. Pelegrí Viader

Pelegrí Viader, profesor at the Department of Economics and Business, vicerector and head of EUTOPIA at the UPF.
21.04.2020

 

The current situation has inadvertently forced us to change our paradigm, to reinvent ourselves, to enhance our creativity to apply new and diverse methods in the education field. 

EUTOPIA continues, but in a different way. The current situation has inadvertently forced us to change our paradigm, to reinvent ourselves, to enhance our creativity to apply new and diverse methods in the education field. A crisis turned into an opportunity where each and everyone of us in this project can contribute with something  great.

We are aware of the urgent need for adaptation, which is why we are approaching EUTOPIA with another, more digital and deeper look, with a network of people who are far but closer than ever.

This new situation has made us rediscover the power of new technologies. Both the students and all the teaching and administrative staff that drives this ambitious project have found a way to keep in touch. We have been able to see the success of EUTOPIA looming on the horizon and that is what convinces us that we must move forward. That we can move forward.

Of course, we are concerned about how EUTOPIA will see its plans affected in the short and medium term. The students mobilization, the visits to universities in other countries, the Alliance meetings... But, again, we have the opportunity to turn this unprecedented crisis into solid learning.

For all these reasons, the Rectors of the 6 EUTOPIA universities have agreed to join forces and redirect their objective towards another paradigm, even beyond 2022 as indicated in the initial pilot plan.

As of today, contingency plans are already being prepared to respond to that uncertainty that concerns us all. Alternatives with even more interesting proposals if possible. With the effort and patience of the entire university community, we are preparing ourselves to face, ethically and effectively, one of the biggest challenges that higher education has had to face in its entire history.

At EUTOPIA we wanted to bring down barriers and now we are doing it at all levels. A crisis from which we will surely emerge stronger, more educated and more united. More than ever. In a world where everything can change overnight, we choose the opportunity again.

As the Rectors of the Alliance affirm, “The big challenge is how to overcome the disruptive effects of pandemics without cutting back on the networking and mobility necessary for education and research in the European Universities of the future. The answer will be digital and European. We are ready to take up the challenge”.

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