ECIU (European Consortium of Innovative Universities) consists of 13 higher education institutions in Europe and one in Mexico with the common denominator that they are innovative in higher education and that entrepreneurship and interaction with the surrounding community are central to their activities.
“Solving the major global challenges of our time requires more active collaboration within academia. ECIU plays an important role, and I’m proud that over the next three years I’ll serve as its president,” says Jan-Ingvar Jönsson.
ECIU has founded a virtual university, ECIU University, with challenge-based learning that gives students the opportunity to find solutions to real problems based on their theoretical knowledge, together with other students within the network.
“It’s an innovative way to conduct education across national borders where the students’ solutions can create real benefits,” says Jan-Ingvar Jönsson.
The courses that students can apply for vary in length and design, from very short single-subject courses up to a whole semester. Some courses are completely online, others are based on self-study and there is also the option of a combination involving a brief period abroad.