Poznan University of Technology hosted a three-day programme aimed to provide training and strengthen cooperation within EUNICE Alliance.
The EUNICE ecosystem is a complex and dynamic structure. It brings together 10 partner universities, five work packages, and numerous committees and boards – such as the Committee on Cultural Expression and Exchange (CCEE) as an example. Each of these bodies carries its own agenda, delivers diverse outcomes, and contributes to what ultimately becomes a well-coordinated, efficient “EUNICE machine.”
Among these structures are two groups that often operate behind the scenes but play a crucial role in keeping the Alliance running smoothly: the Financial Officers and the IT Board. Their work ensures that the EUNICE4U project remains financially sound, while also developing digital solutions that make collaboration more effective, seamless, and future-oriented.
From 23 to 25 September 2025, financial officers and IT experts from across the Alliance met in Poznań for a three-day programme focused on knowledge exchange, practical training, and strengthening cooperation.
The gathering was a chance for IT and finance staff to finally sit at the same table – not only over reports, but also over coffee and share experiences. It shows how European cooperation is about people learning, growing and working together, not just procedures.”
PhD Michał WeissenbergIT Board member and Leader of the Interdisciplinary Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Cybersecurity at Poznan University of Technology
The agenda combined professional workshops, case studies, and joint sessions with opportunities for networking and informal integration. The meeting was organized within the framework of the Programme Support for European Universities – Call 2024 (NAWA), financed by the European Union under the project “Support for European Universities’ Alliances.”
Day 1 opened with parallel meetings: financial officers discussed project management tools and reporting practices, while the IT Board focused on preparing progress reports for the upcoming year and testing newly developed IT tools, such as the admissions tool. This recent technical upgrade facilitates university staff the management of student applications for the EUNICE shared courses. It resulted in a centralized system with a clear interface where each university can handle applications efficiently. Students are notified directly through the system about their application status, and course-hosting universities can quickly access participant lists and update grades. This improvement streamlines a previously time-consuming process and enhances coordination across institutions.
Day 2 placed cybersecurity at the centre of discussions. In a joint session, financial and IT experts exchanged knowledge on data protection, safe platform usage, and secure online communication. The Financial Officers then analysed EUNICE4U financial reports in a detailed case study, identifying key areas for improvement in project spending, while the IT Board continued its work on progress reports and cybersecurity measures. The afternoon networking session brought both groups together again, encouraging exchange of best practices across disciplines.
Day 3 highlighted the importance of practical training. Financial officers explored best practices in accounting and financial reporting for projects funded by external sources such as NAWA, FERS, NATO, Erasmus+, and NCN. Meanwhile, the IT Board delved into sharing ICT infrastructure for research and education, including remote use of PUT’s EspressoLab and testbed systems. Joint sessions followed, introducing participants to EUNICE tools for daily work like OnlyOffice and MS Teams, as well as online ICT infrastructure training to support collaborative projects.
The agendas also included forward-looking workshops. Financial officers worked on European Commission research project management with contributions from the Research and Projects Department, while the IT Board discussed integration of IT platforms within the EUNICE ecosystem, explored the implementation of EDUGAIN, and reviewed updates to the digitalization and automation plan after two years of progress.
The event was organised and coordinated by the PUT European University Office, with the entire team ensuring everything ran seamlessly.
Both groups left Poznań equipped with new insights, concrete action points, and stronger connections to drive EUNICE’s mission of innovation, integration, and collaboration.
The three days that we have spent together proved that the initiative of Poznan University of Technology was both timely and necessary. Although we differ in language and culture, our discussions demonstrated that we face the same challenges. This is precisely why collaboration within EUNICE is so valuable: it provides platform for sharing experiences and building solutions that strengthen our universities at all levels.
Jolanta SokołowskaEUNICE Financial Officer, Senior Project Specialist at Poznan University of Technology
