The EDUC Think Lab is a new programme that puts students at the heart of shaping the EDUC Virtual Campus—the shared digital infrastructure of the eight universities in the EDUC Alliance. In this innovative project, students and staff from these universities collaborate to develop solutions for studying across their different campuses.
The first edition of the Think Lab officially kicked off in November 2024 with an inspiring in-person meeting at the University of Potsdam. The group was welcomed by the university’s President, Oliver Günther, before diving into two days of intensive collaboration. The participants, comprising nine students and four staff members, formed three thematic groups and set their goals. These specialised groups are addressing key challenges: improving the user experience, interface, and accessibility of the Virtual Campus; developing chatbots to help students discover suitable learning opportunities; and fostering community engagement on EDUC’s social platform, OpenUp.
"EDUC feels like a distinct transnational university to me, connecting students and elevating studies to a whole new level. In the EDUC Think Lab, we aim to contribute by utilising technological advancements to benefit education: This way, we can achieve more education without compromising quality."
Timilehin Ogunnusi (EDUC Think Lab Participant, University of Potsdam)
"I didn't quite exactly know what was EDUC Thinklab at the beginning but I still signed up hoping for nice new experience and good connections and indeed it was a wonderful experience that met my expectations; the warm welcome, the wonderful people, and the many other amazing things that cannot be summarized. I'm enjoying what we're doing so far and I'm having high hopes because Thinklab offers an opportunity for each student to leave a good mark and make a change."
Mohamad Albaly (EDUC Think Lab Participant, University of Pécs)
The Think Lab spans two academic semesters, combining in-person meetings with online collaborative phases. Since the Kick-Off Meeting, the groups have been working together remotely using tools from the Virtual Campus, which are currently in a testing phase. The next in-person meeting, scheduled for March, will provide an opportunity to review progress, explore synergies between groups, and refine ideas. The Think Lab edition will culminate with participants presenting their developments and results to the EDUC Steering Committee.
"When I joined the EDUC ThinkLab, I hoped for an enriching experience and meaningful involvement of students. What followed surpassed all my expectations—a warm welcome, the chance to work with incredible individuals from diverse backgrounds, and the opportunity to contribute to an ambitious and impactful project. The ThinkLab not only fosters teamwork but also empowers each participant to drive meaningful change, and I’m honoured to be part of this process."
Bianka Szijártó (EDUC Think Lab Participant, University of Pécs)
Rather than being passive recipients of change, students are active co-creators of their digital academic environment. The Think Lab is not just about generating ideas—it’s about delivering concrete, actionable solutions that will shape the future of the Virtual Campus, making it a more inclusive and effective space for students and academics across EDUC.
"EDUC fundamentally transforms the concept of international studies: The comprehensive flexibility—enabled by a virtual campus with digital working and networking opportunities, as well as small micro-degrees—has practically reinvented mobility. With our project, we want to contribute to transferring the feeling of a physical campus into the virtual campus."
Pascal Kienast (EDUC Think Lab Participant, University of Potsdam)
"When I got accepted as part of this project, I couldn't predict the amazing experience that would soon follow: travelling abroad to meet a team of wonderful people from different backgrounds, all working together to help spread knowledge and collaboration within our universities.
I expected the EDUC Think Lab to be just some sort of introduction to the EDUC project as a whole, instead we received a warm welcome and an extensive team-building experience that made the project as a whole feel "closer", in a way. The EDUC project is an ambitious one, for sure, but you know how they say, "Rome wasn't built in a day" :) "
Andrea Guanziroli (EDUC Think Lab Participant, University of Cagliari)