U!REKA conference is an online conference of Urban Research and Education Knowledge Alliance, U!REKA. The alliance consists of eight urban focused higher education institutions across Europe. Hosted by Metropolia University of Applied Sciences, the fifth U!REKA annual conference brings together the consortium for virtual workshops and for online networking on 16th and 17th of November 2020.
Registration for the U!REKA conference
Participation in the conference sessions requires registration between 25/09/2020 and 27/10/2020.
Register as a participant for the sessions by using the online registration form: https://www.lyyti.in/UREKA
Welcome to U!REKA online conference
U!REKA conference is an online conference in Zoom. Reading this website means that you have already found the event and the main information channel. On this website, you can register for the event and find all information on the conference.
The conference theme is Open innovation ecosystems. The programme consists of different interactive online sessions of which you can choose from according to your interest and preferences. In addition, there are two calls for proposals: call for collaboration proposals and call for good practice in e-teaching and e-learning. Please read below the call guidelines.
Technical requirements for participation: Please use PC/laptop instead of mobile devices and make sure you have functioning loudspeaker/headset and microphone. Closer to the event, we will send the corresponding Zoom links of each registered session to your email.
Overview of time schedule
There are 8 online sessions open for registration. You can choose in which sessions you would like to attend according to your preferences. In some of the sessions, meetings are held in parallel groups. In those cases, please select the group for you on the registration form.
Participation in the session requires registration. The registration is open from 25/09/2020 to 27/10/2020. Register as a participant for the sessions by using the online registration form: https://www.lyyti.in/UREKA
Overview of the schedule on 16th November
10:45 - 12:30 Session 1: Good morning Europe!
13:00 - 13:45 Session 2: Virtual cafés: “Welcome to Metropolia”.
14:00 - 16:00 Session 3: Workshop on collaboration proposals
16:15 - 16:45 Session 4: Conclusions from the workshop & conference cocktail event
Overview of the schedule on 17th November
10:45 - 12:30 Session 1: Perspectives on open innovation ecosystems
13:00 - 13:45 Session 2: E-learning by “escaping” data management. A game-inspired way of learning data management.
14:00 - 16:00 Session 3: Online round table on good practices in e-learning and e-teaching
16:15 - 16:45 Session 4: The Future of U!REKA
U!REKA conference programme
Here you find all the information on the programme. Each item below contains detailed information on the session and on the time schedule. Participation requires registration between 25.9 and 27.10.
16th of November 2020
The first day consists of 1-4 online sessions in zoom. The first session starts at 11:00 (UTC+2, Finland) and the last sessions ends at 16:45 (UTC+2, Finland).
Time in Czech, Belgium, Germany, Netherlands, Norway: 10:00 - 15:45 (UTC+1)
Time in Portugal and United Kingdom: 9:00 - 14.45 (UTC+0)
Session 1: Good morning Europe!
16th November 2020, time:
UTC+2: 10:45 - 12:30 (Finland)
UTC+1: 09:45 - 11:30 (Czech, Belgium, Germany, Netherlands, Norway)
UTC+0: 08:45 - 10:30 (Portugal, UK)
The first session “Good morning Europe” opens the conference. We will discuss with the U!REKA steering committee and working group members about the recent work done in the alliance. In addition, the session includes a keynote from Helsinki EU office, Metropolia’s contact point in Brussels. We will discuss and share information on the networking possibilities in Brussels for higher education institutions.
10:45 - 11:00 Connecting to conference
11:00 - 11:15 Welcome to the U!REKA annual conference
11:15 - 11:45 What is U!REKA: Presenting U!REKA working groups and recent activities
11:45 - 12:30 Keynote by Helsinki EU Office: How can U!REKA be present in Brussels?
Session 2: Virtual cafes “Welcome to Metropolia”
16th November 2020, time:
UTC+2: 13:00 - 13:45 (Finland)
UTC+1: 12:00 - 12:45 (Czech, Belgium, Germany, Netherlands, Norway)
UTC+0: 11:00 - 11:45 (Portugal, UK)
In this session, you will get familiar with Metropolia University of Applied Sciences “over a cup of coffee”. The innovation hub leaders will present you the hubs. The session consists of 5 parallel groups named according to Metropolia innovation hubs.
Please indicate on the registration form which of the hubs below interests you the most as first option - kindly note first option is not guaranteed due to the possibility of balancing the amount of participants between groups.
Session 3: Workshop on collaboration proposals
16th November 2020, time:
UTC+2: 14:00 - 16:00 (Finland)
UTC+1: 13:00 - 15:00 (Czech, Belgium, Germany, Netherlands, Norway)
UTC+0: 12:00 - 14:00 (Portugal, UK)
We will discuss about the collaboration ideas resulted from the call for collaboration proposals. The session servers you as a networking possibility to find trusted project partners, to develop the idea together with others and to exchange best practices. The presentation at the workshop should be of max. 2 PowerPoint-slides and can last between max. 3-5 minutes followed by a conversation of 10-15 minutes.
If you wish to send your proposal on collaboration, please send the abstract of your presentation (max. 200 words) by using the registration form and enter your abstract to our VIIMA project booster platform too.
Please address your proposal to one of the thematic parallel groups (A-F) fitting the best for your idea. Groups are named after Metropolia innovation hubs to give an anchor point for the discussion.
If you wish to participate in the workshop and in the discussion, but not to send any proposal, please choose one of the parallel groups when registering to the event. Participation in the workshop requires registration by 27/10/2020.
A. Smart Mobility
B. Clean and Sustainable Solutions
C. Functional City for people
D. Data-driven Construction
E. Wellbeing and Health Services
F. Learning ecosystems and development
Session 4: Conclusions of the day & conference cocktail event
16th November 2020, time:
UTC+2: 16:15 - 16:45 (Finland)
UTC+1: 15:15 - 15:45 (Czech, Belgium, Germany, Netherlands, Norway)
UTC+0: 14:15 - 14:45 (Portugal, UK)
Wrapping together the workshop discussion and having a small cocktail together with music.
17th of November 2020
The second day consists of the online sessions 5-8 in zoom. The first session starts at 11:00 (UTC+2, Finland) and the last sessions ends at 16:45 (UTC+2, Finland).
Time in Czech, Belgium, Germany, Netherlands, Norway: 10:00 - 15:45 (UTC+1)
Time in Portugal and United Kingdom: 9:00 - 14.45 (UTC+0)
Session 5: Perspectives on open innovation ecosystems
17th November 2020, time:
UTC+2: 10:45 - 12:30 (Finland)
UTC+1: 09:45 - 11:30 (Czech, Belgium, Germany, Netherlands, Norway)
UTC+0: 08:45 - 10:30 (Portugal, UK)
This session is dedicated to the main theme of the conference “Open innovation ecosystems”. As a starting point for a broader conversation on the topic, we are going to hear case examples on open learning environments and on open innovation ecosystems developed in Metropolia together with staff, associated working life representatives and students. Case examples are:
- Helsinki XR Center: project lead Tiina Vuorio (Metropolia); CEO Hannu Lesonen (Anarky Labs)
- Wellbeing and Health Village (“HyMy-kylä”): senior lecturer Anita Ahlstrand (Metropolia)
- Jätkäsaari Mobility Lab: Coordinator Juho Kostiainen (City of Helsinki), Test area contact Raimo Tengvall (Forum Virium Helsinki), Launchpad contact Anna-Stina Tähkävuori (Metropolia)
Slight changes in case examples and speakers are possible.
Time schedule of the session (UTC+2)
10:45 - 11:00 Connecting to conference
11:00 - 12:30 Perspectives on open innovation ecosystems: case examples from Metropolia as a starting point for broader discussion
Session 6: E-learning by “escaping” data management
17th November 2020, time:
UTC+2: 13:00 - 13:45 (Finland)
UTC+1: 12:00 - 12:45 (Czech, Belgium, Germany, Netherlands, Norway)
UTC+0: 11:00 - 11:45 (Portugal, UK)
E-learning by “escaping” data management. A game-inspired way of learning data management by using seppo.io.
After the registration deadline you will receive a link to the game. The game is designed to be played independently without guidance in Zoom. This time slot is dedicated for the game, however you can play the game whenever suits you the best. For playing the game you need a web-browser to use seppo gamification tool.
Session 7: Online round table on good practices in e-learning and e-teaching
17th November 2020, time:
UTC+2: 14:00 - 16:00 (Finland)
UTC+1: 13:00 - 15:00 (Czech, Belgium, Germany, Netherlands, Norway)
UTC+0: 12:00 - 14:00 (Portugal, UK)
The covid-19 situation has forced all of us to adapt in new ways of learning and teaching remotely. The discussion over the online round table is based on the call results for sharing good e-pedagogy practices.
If you wish to share your good practices, please address your abstract of max. 200 words to one of the thematic groups (A-F) when registering to the event and share your idea in our VIIMA project booster platform too.
The presentation at the workshop should be of max. 2 PowerPoint-slides and can last between max. 3-5 minutes followed by a conversation of 10-15 minutes.
If you wish to participate in the online round table, but not to give a presentation, please choose the most interesting topic for you. We might later regroup some of the topics together, if possible depending on the amount of participants. Participation in the online round table requires registration.
A. Student participation
B. Creating interactions and sense of community
C. Following up the progress of studies
D. Guiding students and giving feedback
E. Online exams and tests
F. IT tools for teaching
Session 8: The future of U!REKA
17th November 2020, time:
UTC+2: 16:15 - 16:45 (Finland)
UTC+1: 15:15 - 15:45 (Czech, Belgium, Germany, Netherlands, Norway)
UTC+0: 14:15 - 14:45 (Portugal, UK)
The steering committee members of U!REKA will share their thoughts and vision on the future strategy of U!REKA.
Share your ideas in VIIMA ideation and innovation platform
VIIMA online tool helps U!REKA members to connect around ideas and to discuss about them even before the conference.
Participants of U!REKA call on collaboration proposals and of U!REKA call for sharing best practices in e-learning and e-teaching should register as a user and add the abstract of max. 200 words to VIIMA ideation and innovation platform.
You can register as a user in VIIMA by:
- using Office365 account (in case your institution uses O365 email accounts)
- or by clicking “login with a VIIMA account” on the website to create a new user account
NB: Access to the project booster has been restricted to certain pre-defined email domains. If you are unable to log in, please contact urekaconference [at] metropolia.fi
Call for collaboration proposals
Official guidelines on how to participate in the U!REKA call for collaboration proposals.
U!REKA call for collaboration proposal aims to share and provide expertise to develop innovative solutions and new collaboration. Below you can find six sub-themes for inspiration and as anchor point for your idea.
A. Smart Mobility
Questions for inspiration:
- How can we affect the habits of mobility to be more sustainable?
- How can Europe keep up in the quickly advancing mobility technology progress?
- What kind of professions will new mobility solutions create and what professions will die?
- How can we ensure inclusive and equal mobility opportunities?
B. Clean and Sustainable Solutions
Keywords for inspiration:
- sustainable food chain
- circular economy
- CDW
- textile recycling
- industry 4.0
Questions for inspiration:
- How to combine good practices and industry 4.0 applications for creating more sustainable food chain, for minimising waste streams, adding value to side streams and raising awareness of impact of choices on consumer side?
- Would there be a possibility to create common research infrastructure on the area of food chain?
- How to improve circular economy and sustainable development goals of demolition and construction waste and in textile industry?
- What is a role of digitalization on these two areas?
C. Functional City for People
Questions for inspiration:
- How to make cities better place for us all?
- How to facilitate participatory urban planning and decision-making?
- How to boost social innovations in cities?
- How to enhance well-being of citizens?
- How is the work and working life changing in the future?
- What skills and competences are needed to succeed in the future work and work life?
D. Data-driven Construction
Questions for inspiration:
- How are data-driven advancements, combined with enabling technologies, likely to fundamentally influence construction and built environment?
- How do we ensure a responsible and ethical approach to data-driven design, construction, operations, management, and end-of-life management of built facilities?
- How to ensure that construction and built environment pedagogy and education not only reflects the changing requirements but also create responsible change agents of the future?
- In cities and towns full of legacy infrastructure and built environment, how do we ensure functional, procedural, and compatibility and synergy between the past, present and the future of the built environment?
- How is the built environment and construction ecosystem likely to shape up concerning changes in the wider business and market ecosystem?
E. Wellbeing and Health Services
Questions for inspiration:
We share common global challenges that threaten health, social wellbeing and equal access to health information. Our social and health system is undergoing a transformation. The European community is eroding strong ecosystems to strengthen human wellbeing, resilience and health in ever-changing conditions.
- How can we promote open science to produce health and well-being for all equally?
- What kind of research projects could we do around research infrastructures and the phenomenon?
- How do we open our research infrastructure and project portfolios for U!REKA students, teachers, researchers and other experts?
F. Learning Ecosystems and Development
F. Learning Ecosystems and Development
Questions for inspiration:
- Do you have an interesting viewpoint into learning as a member of learning ecosystem?
- Have you reorganized your learning partnerships for getting better quality into learning outcomes?
- Do you want to share ideas for best practises of blended learning or build new partnerships for EU or international funding opportunities?
Make a proposal and come to discuss with other developers!
The workshop on collaboration proposals will serve as a platform for members of the consortium to present their work and ideas on collaboration aiming to:
- Provide a venue for U!REKA members to network with academics working in the same field and develop collaborative projects
- Build new research relationships by finding trusted partners and collaborate on joint funding applications (EU or international funding opportunities)
- Develop educational programmes, joint programmes and student projects
- Discuss and exchange best practices
How to take part in the call for collaboration?
Members of U!REKA are encouraged to submit abstract of 200 words for short presentation in one of the thematic areas (A-F) mentioned above. Contributions for joint project work to be further developed during the conference have to be submitted no later than 27th October 2020:
1) By filling in the abstract and title on the registration form once registering yourself for the conference sessions
AND
2) By adding the idea to the VIIMA ideation and innovation platform
The VIIMA online tool helps U!REKA members connect around ideas for joint collaborative work and discussion even before the conference.
Contributions for the workshops must include aspects for future collaborative work in the U!REKA alliance. You may decide to contribute with a short presentation:
- about your research field
- of a research project (ongoing, or new research proposal)
- of applied project work
- a teaching program
After the registration deadline, you are notified whether your collaboration proposal has been selected to participate in the collaboration development workshop. The presentation at the workshop should be of max 2 PowerPoint-slides and can last between max. 3-5 minutes followed by a conversation of 10-15 minutes.
If due to limited time schedule your abstract is not selected for presentation in the collaboration development workshop, the abstract is still going to be available on the event website, in VIIMA platform and mentioned in the workshop session to have the possibility to raise interest and contacts for collaboration.
The workshop session on collaboration ideas will take place on 16th of November 2020. Please consider the preliminary program above.
Call for sharing good practices in e-teaching and e-learning
The covid-19 situation has forced all of us to adapt in new ways of learning and teaching remotely. The conference has a dedicated second call for sharing good practices in e-pedagogy.
Good practices may deal with thematic areas of:
A. Student participation
How to participate students in online learning courses?
B. Interactions and sense of community
How to create interactive communities in online learning courses?
C. Progress of studies
How to follow up the progress of studies in online learning courses?
D. Guiding students and giving feedback
How to give feedback and guide students in online learning courses?
E. Online exams and tests
How to organize online exams or tests successfully?
F. IT tools for teaching
Examples for IT tools for online learning courses
Online round table on good practices will serve as a platform for members of the consortium to present their good methods or techniques in e-pedagogy aiming to:
- Provide a venue for U!REKA members to share their teaching experiences
- Provide tips and tricks in ways of improving distance teaching and studying
- Discuss on difficulties and try to find solutions together
- Develop pedagogical methodologies and learn from each other
How to take part in the call for good practices in e-pedagogy?
Members of U!REKA are encouraged to submit abstracts of 200 words for short presentation in one of the thematic areas (A-F) mentioned above. Contributions for good practices to be further discussed during the conference have to be submitted no later than 27th October 2020:
1) By filling in the abstract and title on the online registration form once registering yourself for the conference sessions.
AND
2) By adding the idea to the VIIMA ideation and innovation platform
The Viima online tool helps U!REKA members connect around ideas and discuss them even before the conference.
You may decide to contribute with a short presentation:
- about your experiences in your teaching field
- of a project work or pilot
- of a teaching programme
- of research in e-pedagogy
After the registration deadline, you will be notified whether your presentation has been selected to participate in the online round table. Presentations at the conference are encouraged to involve practical examples, video presentations and interactive methods. They can also include PowerPoint-presentations of max. 5 slides. The presentation can take max. 5 minutes followed up by conversation of 10-15 minutes.
If due to limited time schedule your abstract is not selected for presentation in the online round table, the abstract is still going to be available on the event website, in the VIIMA platform and mentioned in the round table session to have the possibility to raise interest for later contacts.
The workshop session on good practices in e-teaching and e-learning will take place on 17th of November 2020. Please consider the programme.
Q&A: Questions and Answers on the event
How do I attend the event?
U!REKA conference is an online conference in Zoom. Once registration for the event has closed, we will send you the zoom links to the conference sessions.
This website is the homepage of U!REKA conference. You will find all information on the programme at the top of the site. You can pick conference sessions according to your interest. Participation in the conference sessions requires always registration. You can register here: https://www.lyyti.in/UREKA
Who can participate?
U!REKA conference is open to all staff and students of the eight higher education institutions forming U!REKA:
- the Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences
- Edinburgh Napier University
- HOGENT University of Applied Sciences and Arts
- Frankfurt University of Applied Sciences
- Metropolia University of Applied Sciences in Helsinki
- Oslo Metropolitan University
- VSB – Technical University of Ostrava; and
- Politécnico de Lisboa.
In addition, we welcome the associated working life partners and other stakeholders outside the consortium to the event.
What kind of hardware do I need for the event?
You get the best experience on your computer (PC/laptop). The sessions are in Zoom, so working headset + microphone and well-functioning, stable internet connection is recommended. Also, before the event, make sure that your computer's software is up to date.
Can I be away from lectures because of this?
If the U!REKA conference overlaps with your courses, consult in advance with the teacher responsible for your participation.
How many sessions can I attend?
There are 4 online sessions per day, so 8 in total, from which you can choose freely according to your interests and preferences. You can attend in all of them or only one: it's up to you! Some of the sessions include parallel meeting groups, so please remember to indicate which specific topic interests you the most or in which the meeting groups you wish to participate.
What do I do in case of technical issues or in other problematic situations?
Observe the "News and Updates" -box on the right upper corner of this website. In that box we will give general information in case of problems or sudden changes during the event.
If you encounter technical problems that are not covered in that text box, you can contact: urekaconference [at] metropolia.fi
