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From 24–28 March 2025, 11 students from Poland, Portugal, and the Netherlands came together in Groningen (the Netherlands) for an inspiring Emotional Intelligence Week for Students. The event was organised and hosted by the University of Groningen, with a strong focus on developing Emotional Intelligence skills.

Throughout the week, students participated in a dynamic programme filled with interactive trainings, field visits, and activities designed to empower them as agents of change.

During the Emotional Intelligence and Nonviolent Communication workshops, students explored their self-awareness — learning to recognize their own needs, practice self-empathy, and identify what triggers feelings of irritation or anger. A particularly moving moment was the visit to Kamp Westerbork, where participants reflected on the devastating consequences of discrimination during World War II. To contribute to fostering inclusivity in academia, students also facilitated sessions for local and international teachers, introducing them to the EQUNI board game. The game sparked lively conversations about personal experiences with bias and prejudice in academic environments — a resounding success!

The week concluded with a powerful photo-voicing exhibition. Through their photos and narratives, students shared their perspectives on two themes: Discrimination at your university and How Emotional Intelligence can help reduce discrimination.

This special week left a lasting impact on all participants, equipping them with valuable tools to build more inclusive and empathetic academic communities.
 

 How can we build more inclusive universities? This question brought together academics from EQUNI partner institutions for an engaging seminar in scenic Toulouse. Over 5 days, participants explored emotional intelligence, discrimination, and innovative ways to foster inclusion on university campuses.

Nine participants from Lodz University of Technology, University of Groningen, and University of Algarve joined forces to tackle these crucial issues. Through interactive discussions and hands-on activities, they developed concrete strategies to drive meaningful change. A key highlight was playing the EQUNI board game, a dynamic tool designed to challenge biases and spark dialogue.

Role-playing exercises and real-world scenarios helped participants experience the complexities of inclusion firsthand, refining their approaches to create more welcoming academic spaces. They also explored inversion thinking, a powerful technique for anticipating obstacles and improving decision-making.

But the seminar was not just about work. It was also a chance to connect, exchange ideas, and enjoy the unique charm of Toulouse, from its picturesque streets to its renowned gastronomy.

This seminar was not a starting point, but another key step in a broader movement for diversity and inclusion in European higher education. 

This January, Lodz University of Technology hosted an inspiring 5-day training program, Smart Hearts, Open Minds: Navigating Emotions and Diversity in Education, designed for academic staff seeking to transform their teaching and working environments while creating inclusive, supportive spaces.

The program brought together 9 participants from TUL and UAlg, including teachers and administrative staff, who explored the importance of emotional intelligence, stress management, and diversity in today’s multicultural academic landscape. Through engaging workshops, practical activities, and real-world scenarios, attendees gained valuable insights and actionable tools to elevate their professional practices.

Participants explored their own emotions and learned how these impact their professional interactions. They also developed empathy and advanced communication skills to foster stronger connections with colleagues and students from diverse cultural backgrounds.

One of the standout sessions was a visit to the Marek Edelman Dialogue Center in Lodz, where participants explored Survivors' Park and learned about empathy-driven projects. Another highlight was EQUNI Game session, which challenged participants to tackle real-world discrimination scenarios and reflect on their emotional responses.

Stay tuned for the second edition of the training! Together, we can create academic environments where everyone feels valued and empowered to succeed.

An exceptional event planned as part of the project was held in the charming city of Faro, Portugal, from July 9th to the 13th 2024.

Students, academic teachers and administrative staff from Lodz University of Technology, University of Groningen and University of Algarve participated together in a summer school and training aimed at developing emotional intelligence and combating discrimination in academic environments.

EQ Summer School and EQ Leadership Academy were two intensive, week-long programs that combined lectures, workshops and interactive discussion sessions. Participants had the opportunity to deepen their knowledge of emotional intelligence, understand its importance in everyday academic life and develop ideas for promoting equality, tolerance and respect for diversity at universities. Training sessions were also organized during which the EQUNI board game developed as part of the project was tested. The classes were conducted by renowned university experts and representatives of the Team Coaching and SumFuo coaching companies.

The program was complemented by field activities. Participants got to know the beautiful surroundings of the Algarve and had the opportunity to enjoy beautiful beaches, high cliffs and hot sun 🏝️⛱️🌞.

Another meeting of the project team was also held on site. The partners summarized the activities carried out so far and discussed plans for the future.

The events were not only an opportunity to learn, but also to establish international contacts and build cooperation networks at both the individual and institutional levels. Participants returned to their home countries with new skills that will enable them to better manage emotions, collaborate more effectively in diverse teams, and promote equality and inclusion in their institutions.