On 20 January 2026, the first partners’ meeting of the Erasmus+ Cooperation Partnership project in higher education Practical Access to Transdisciplinary Hubs for Students (PATHS) took place at the Hague University of Applied Sciences in the Netherlands.
Kauno kolegija Higher Education Institution, as the project coordinator, has brought together a partnership of universities of applied sciences from the UNINOVIS European University Alliance: the Technical University of Würzburg-Schweinfurt (Germany), Tampere University of Applied Sciences (Finland), and The Hague University of Applied Sciences (the Netherlands). During the meeting, partners discussed the project objectives, the distribution of responsibilities, and the next steps in developing a joint model for student involvement in applied research.
The aim of the PATHS project is to develop and test a practical methodology that enables students to actively engage in applied research, experimental development, and innovation already during their studies. This is particularly relevant for universities of applied sciences, where student involvement in research activities often requires structured and practice-oriented approaches. Over the two-year project period, a practical model – the RDI Pathway – will be developed, tested through staff training activities, and later piloted together with students through the implementation of a Blended Intensive Programme (BIP).
‘By coordinating the PATHS project, Kauno kolegija not only contributes to addressing a challenge that is highly relevant at the European level, but also strengthens its leadership in the field of applied sciences. The project supports the systematic development of a model for student involvement in applied research and represents an important step towards Kauno kolegija’s long-term ambition to become a university of applied sciences. We believe that the project results will create lasting value both for our institution and for our European partners,’ the project coordinator, Kauno kolegija’s Project Management Unit Senior Specialist Vytautė Giedraitienė highlights the strategic importance of the project for the institution.
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