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The conference welcomed nearly 200 participants from 15 universities and served as an important platform for discussing both the progress of the Aurora 2030 programme and the broader priorities of European higher education. It also marked a decade of collaboration within the Aurora Network. Over the course of four days, academics, students, staff, and other guests took part in plenary sessions, workshops, strategic meetings, and networking events addressing the challenges currently facing higher education.

Palacký University Olomouc was represented at the conference by members of the central Aurora team at UP, as well as by a delegation from the university leadership. UP Rector Michael Kohajda met with rectors of partner universities and represented Palacký University at the Aurora General Council meeting. Further meetings were attended by Vice-Rector for Research, Creative Activities and Knowledge Transfer Jiří Drábek and Vice-Rector for International Relations Ivona Barešová, whose portfolio includes Aurora.

“After ten years of cooperation within the Aurora Network, Aurora is entering the next phase of its development. Building on the foundations laid in previous years, it is now developing concrete activities and initiatives that have a direct impact on students, academics, and other staff at partner universities,” said Ivona Barešová.

A week-long intensive programme focused on methodological approaches in nursing research, hosted by the UP Faculty of Health Sciences, promoted the development of research skills and international collaboration. The programme included a session on the use of AI and a hospital visit.

Participants from several countries engaged in the Blended Intensive programme (BIP) titled “Integrating Methodological Approaches in Nursing Research: Theoretical Foundations and Practical Applications,” focusing on the integration of quantitative, qualitative, and mixed research methods in nursing research within the context of an evidence-based approach.

The week at the Faculty of Health Sciences of Palacký University began with a welcome address to guests from several countries by Dean Jiří Vévoda and Vice Dean for Internationalisation Lukáš Merz. Participants then presented their research plans and began working on joint topics in international teams. They also bonded through presentations about their countries and tastings of traditional dishes.

The subsequent professional programme focused on working with scientific sources and on ethical principles of research. Participants were introduced to the methodology for searching for professional literature, selecting studies, and conducting transparent research; in a separate session, they worked with Lior Naamati Schneider from Israel on the practical use of AI tools in healthcare and their ethical implications.