The main objective of the project is to strengthen the capacity of Universities of Applied Sciences (UAS) to involve students in applied research projects. The project focuses on developing the skills of both staff and students. As the main actors in UAS research activities, their potential must be recognised and reinforced. More specifically, the global objectives of our project were to: • Reinforce the link between teaching and research missions in UAS. • Empower UAS in their capacity to conduct applied research activities; • Maintain and develop the role of UAS in the knowledge society; • Foster and strengthen the international dimension of UAS through applied research activities; • Strengthen the specific position of UAS in the development of the new European Research Area (ERA).
Research and higher education are intrinsically linked. In Europe, Universities of Applied Sciences (UAS) are crucial local connectors between knowledge and professional practice, boosting competitiveness, innovation, and student skills in innovative thinking and entrepreneurship. Our Erasmus+ project aims to enhance the capacity of UAS in applied research by systematically integrating students into these activities. This approach seeks to strengthen the knowledge chain, boost regional innovation for SMEs, improve professional practice, and better prepare future professionals. While many UAS successfully link education and practice through research, few fully leverage student involvement. Engaging students more actively can lead to more ambitious research, connect transnational activities (like mobility) to research initiatives, and highlight research career paths. Currently, the internationalisation strategies of UAS often lack a research dimension. This project bridges that gap by developing concrete tools to integrate students into research and harness the full potential of internationalization for applied research, ultimately reinforcing the vital role of UAS in the knowledge society.