NEOLAiA Partners Jointly Develop a Shared Vision for More Inclusive and Sustainable Staff Mobility
Representatives of the NEOLAiA European University Alliance met at the University of Ostrava on 12–13 October 2026 for a working meeting dedicated to Task Staff Mobility for Training.
The meeting brought together representatives from partner universities, including The head of Šiauliai State Higher Education Institution International Relations Department Eglė Lingaitienė, to review progress, exchange good practices and develop practical measures to strengthen staff mobility and expert staff networks across the alliance.
The meeting focused on making mobility opportunities more accessible, relevant and sustainable while taking into account the different capacities and needs of participating institutions and networks.
Putting people and their needs at the centre
One of the key conclusions was the importance of moving towards a more flexible approach to staff networks. Although some networks are well established and active, others face challenges related to participation, communication, language barriers and limited institutional capacity.
Partners agreed that activities should be driven by members’ professional interests, relevant topics and opportunities for collaboration rather than by the need to organise meetings simply to meet a schedule. The proposed approach encourages networks to adapt their activities to their specific circumstances while maintaining clear objectives and meaningful outcomes.
Expanding opportunities for international staff development
A significant part of the discussions focused on improving the visibility and accessibility of staff mobility opportunities. Partners explored ways to promote staff networks through university Open Days, NEOLAiA Days, joint information sessions and alliance communication channels.
Another priority is to develop a more structured virtual offer for academic and administrative staff. Proposed activities include workshops, seminars, webinars and peer-learning sessions, enabling colleagues to exchange expertise and learn from one another without necessarily travelling abroad.
These opportunities are intended to reach not only existing network members but also other staff whose professional interests and responsibilities align with the topics offered. The partners will map available expertise, identify realistic formats and coordinate proposed activities for potential publication on the NEOLAiA website.
Improving quality through feedback and shared practices
The partners exchanged information about their institutional approaches to staff mobility, including application procedures, selection criteria, funding arrangements, staff weeks and individual training opportunities. This exchange provided a basis for identifying practices that could be adapted by other universities.
To improve the quality and relevance of activities, the team also discussed revising the existing feedback survey. Collecting feedback at the end of each activity could provide more timely and specific information about participants’ experiences and help organisers identify areas for improvement. The revised survey is also expected to explore whether participants share the knowledge gained with colleagues at their home institutions, supporting the wider dissemination of mobility outcomes.
From discussions to action
The meeting concluded with an action plan covering the updating of staff network information, improvement of the alliance website, regular monitoring of activities, mapping of virtual training opportunities and further development of mobility procedures. These measures are intended to improve coordination, strengthen the visibility of staff networks and support more effective use of the alliance’s expertise.
For ŠVK, participation in these discussions provides an opportunity to contribute to shared approaches to international staff development and to bring relevant European practices into the institution’s international cooperation activities.
By focusing on flexibility, purposeful collaboration and knowledge sharing, NEOLAiA continues to develop a staff mobility model that responds to real professional needs and strengthens connections between its partner universities.
