Academy for Professional Excellence

Led by the Vytautas Magnus University, Lithuania

PROF-SYNERGY

PROF-SYNERGY, or ‘Enhancing Professional Excellence: Synergy of Academic and Non-Academic Staff’ is a conference that brought together representatives from all T4EU universities to strengthen staff development and institutional cooperation. Participants exchanged best practices in professional training, digitalisation, sustainability and inclusiveness, emphasising the importance of continuous competence development across all staff groups.

With 157 participants, 3 keynote lectures and 28 professional growth sessions, the conference reinforced a holistic approach to professional development. For our academic and non-academic staff, it means stronger collaboration, shared standards of excellence and a common institutional culture across the Alliance.

A large group of people, mostly women, sit attentively in a modern lecture hall with wooden desks and light-colored curtains, many wearing conference badges and green lanyards.
Photo by Tomas Mickevičius

T4EU Innovative Teaching Prizes

The first Transform4Europe Innovative Teaching Prize recognised outstanding teaching practices across the Alliance, highlighting educators who push boundaries and redefine learning experiences. 45 applications were submitted, reflecting a wide range of innovative approaches aligned with T4EU’s strategic priorities.

With four prizes of EUR 2,500 awarded to the most innovative teachers, T4EU placed teaching excellence at the heart of its mission. For our academic staff, it means recognition, visibility and strong encouragement to continue innovating in education.

Four women stand side by side, smiling and waving while holding certificates and gift bags, with a presentation screen in the background displaying text and a partial photo.
Photo by Jonas Petronis

T4EU prizes for non-academic staff

T4EU launched its first-ever Non-Academic Staff Prize Competition, celebrating the vital role of support staff in shaping modern universities. Applications across four categories showcased impactful solutions in areas such as digitalisation, sustainability, inclusiveness, staff development and management.

With 34 applications and three monetary prizes awarded, T4EU highlighted the creativity and leadership of non-academic staff. It means recognising all staff as agents of change and strengthening a truly inclusive, collaborative institutional ecosystem.

Four women stand side by side on a stage, each holding a certificate and a small white gift bag, smiling at the camera. A presentation screen is visible behind them.
Photo by Tomas Mickevičius

Summer School for Refugee, Displaced and At-Risk Researchers

The Summer School strengthened the inclusion of vulnerable researchers within the European research community. Over five intensive days, more than 30 participants from 18 universities and organisations engaged in expert-led sessions covering teamwork, communication, critical thinking, mental health, international collaboration and European research funding, supported by valuable contributions from UNHCR and EURAXESS.

Bringing together participants from over 10 countries, the programme created a learning environment that not only developed professional competences, but also offered space for connection and long-term collaboration – reflecting T4EU’s commitment to inclusiveness, solidarity and academic freedom.

A group of fifteen people, both men and women, stand together in front of glass doors with signs reading Center of Excellence UNITE and TRANSFORM 4EUROPE. They are posing and smiling at the camera outside.
Photo: Gerasim Gerasimov
Four rounded white squares are arranged in a grid pattern on a light gray background, with space separating each square.