The third In-Person Partnership Meeting of SAMExperience was successfully held in Timișoara, hosted by the West University of Timisoara (WUT). Over two days, partners reviewed progress, consolidated activities, and planned the next strategic steps as the project enters its final phase.
Partners focused on several key objectives, including completing the remaining WP4 tasks, finalizing a user-friendly digital learning platform, organizing the upcoming Final Conference, and ensuring the sustainability and long-term impact of the project’s results.
On Day 1, discussions based on priorities such as efficient WP4 completion, strong dissemination efforts, and long-term sustainability of the SAMExperience platform. Partners agreed on strategies to make the “E-learning SAMExperience platform” more visible and accessible, while also exploring long-term hosting solutions. A key point of discussion was engaging Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and collecting real-world challenges to enrich the students’ learning experience, demonstrating the value of the Sustainable Alliance Manager role.
Looking ahead, attention turned to the highly anticipated Final Conference. The event will bring together project results, innovative ideas, and real-world insights through presentations, interactive discussions, and a study visit showcasing education-industry collaboration.
The meeting also highlighted the success of the pilot learning experience, with most students having completed the course and providing highly positive feedback. Partners reflected on the impact of the programme, noting how it effectively develops the competences essential for a Sustainable Alliance Manager.
On Day 2 the meeting dived deep into the next big step of the project: WP4 – the assessment centre and personalized learning paths. This will engage 250 students across the 5 countries involved in the project. The work package is structured into six core activities, from designing realistic assessment exercises and integrating them into the digital platform, to piloting the activities with students and tracking their progress through post-course evaluations. Partners selected a variety of methods aligned with the project’s competency framework, including video analysis, case resolution, in-tray and in-basket exercises, challenge-solving tasks, and competence tests.
The meeting concluded with a workshop at the Center for Innovation and Tech Transfer in Timișoara, exploring blended programs, open innovation, and knowledge management. The session also showcased the UNITA alliance, a network of universities in rural and cross-border regions of Europe facing similar challenges.
SAMExperience is shaping the future of sustainable skills development. Through hands-on learning, innovative digital tools, and collaborations with SMEs, the project equips the next generation of Sustainable Alliance Managers with the skills and vision to make a real impact. The Final Conference will celebrate these achievements and inspire new ideas for a greener, collaborative future.
Written by the University of Foggia (UniFG)