A delegation from the Miguel Hernández University of Elche (UMH) has successfully concluded its visit to the Karolinska Institutet (KI) in Stockholm, Sweden. This meeting is part of the activities of the European University of Brain and Technology (NeurotechEU) alliance, of which both institutions are founding members. The UMH’s project managers, Maria José Such, a quality assurance expert, and Sonia Martín, were welcomed by KI’s project leader, Bob Harris, and KI’s project managers, Ylva Olsson and Maria Olsson.

The UMH delegation, which also included the Rector’s Delegate for Healthy Campuses, Raúl Reina, and NeurotechEU’s communication officer at UMH, Júlia Santacreu, learned about KI’s structure and its doctoral programme from Bob Harris. They also gained insight into how the NeurotechEU team operates within the Karolinska Institutet, engaging with Ylva Olsson, Maria Olsson, and Mia Bjerke, all key figures in NeurotechEU project management at KI.

During their visit, a dedicated session focused on the StratNeuro programme, with a special emphasis on transnational collaboration within NeurotechEU, presented by Laura Sardon Puig, the programme’s coordinator and a member of the alliance’s Mobility working group. Additionally, both institutions shared communication strategies with Emma Hägg, NeurotechEU’s communication work package lead, and Katherine Cecilia Breton, KI’s student representative.

The visit also included a session dedicated to KI’s Teaching and Learning and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) units, featuring contributions from Natalie Jellinek and Jennifer Valcke, experts in educational development. Furthermore, Kelly Grahn, KI’s Erasmus coordinator, presented exchange opportunities for staff and students, a fundamental pillar of mobility within NeurotechEU.

The UMH emphasised that this visit is crucial for “getting to know each other and building relationships,” “sharing best practices,” and gaining an “overview of working methods and local organisation.” These essential activities will help consolidate NeurotechEU’s mission: to drive cutting-edge European neuroscience through inter-university cooperation.

The NeurotechEU European alliance is a project co-funded by the European Union, aiming to provide the scientific community with a higher education and research centre focused on neurotechnology. Its objective is to address health problems related to neuroscience and mental health through affordable technologies.