Partners

Umit Tirol is a private University of Health Sciences and Health Technology in Hall in Tyrol (Austria) specializes in new professional fields and research areas, responding to the latest challenges in healthcare and technology. With a focus on mechatronics, medical technology, medical and biomedical informatics, psychology, health sciences, nursing science and gerontology, complemented by university education, UMIT TIROL offers high-quality academic education and training in those fields that are of great importance for modern healthcare systems and technologies. The university has the appropriate support and administrative departments and mechanisms in place to assist those engaged in research and innovation. This ensures that participation in co-funded and international projects have a demonstrable impact on a wide range of areas, including health and well-being, and the environment and sustainability. UMIT TIROL offers 20 bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degree programs. 250 employees supervise 1,600 students in four departments – Biomedical Informatics and Mechatronics; Public Health, Health Services Research and Technology Assessment in Health Care; Nursing Science and Gerontology; and Psychology and Sports Medicine. Through its social engagement, the University contributes to the development and renewal of a respectful, sustainable and democratic society on the one hand, and to a competitive business environment on the other. Our cooperation with public and private stakeholders ensures a mutual exchange and at the same time contributes to increasing the quality of education and research. The university is owned by the Tyrolean Federal Government (90 percent) and the Leopold Franzens University of Innsbruck (10 percent).

Hafelekar is a multidisciplinary company that specializes in providing consulting, research, studies, surveys, evaluation, and validation services for informal and non-formal learning. They also offer development of information and communication technology (ICT) training models, curricula design, vocational orientation, career guidance, process management, and analysis of training needs. They cater to a wide range of clients, including business companies, non-profit organizations, and public sector clients. The company was established in 2001, and since then, it has been closely collaborating with the University of Innsbruck’s Department for Knowledge Organisation for qualitative social research. It has also formed partnerships with other applied universities in Austria to expand its reach and resources. In addition, Hafelekar is well-versed in digital media production, distance and blended learning solutions, and has high-level pedagogical expertise. The company has cooperated on various projects developing different e-learning systems, showcasing their adaptability and capacity to tailor their services according to the needs of their clients. Hafelekar’s organization is highly flexible, consisting of a core team of four employees who work with part-time back-office administrators and around 10 to 15 freelancers on different projects. They train approximately 100 executives and 50 vocational trainers annually within their group, while also training another 100 students in collaboration with applied universities in Austria. Lastly, Hafelekar is integrated into a vast network of VET and related institutions and bodies. This further expands its resources and allows the company to provide comprehensive and innovative solutions to its clients.

The Software Engineering and Internet Technologies (SEIT) Laboratory is an integral part of the Department of Computer Science of the University of Cyprus. (SEIT) focuses its research activities on two important areas of Information Technology, namely Software Engineering and Internet Technologies. In the second area, the Laboratory concentrates its expertise on the development of ICT-enabled Creativity and Enhanced Learning Environments, platforms and tools. SEIT has extensive experience in the area of applying ICT to Technology Enhanced Learning (e-Learning, m-Learning, Blended Learning and Open and Distance Learning) in general, as well as Life Long Learning in particular. This expertise is both at technical level and at developing policies and qualification frameworks for such activities. Regarding only ERASMUS+ related activities, SEIT has recently coordinated five ERASMUS+ projects (VeLoCiTy, World-of-Physics, DiFens, IDEA, wINGS), currently coordinates three ERASMUS+ projects: CHAT2LEARN (begun in 2021), CHILD (begun in 2022) and DigiComPass (begun in December 2022), and also participates in 45 more: DIGIWATER, FARM, ALIVE, Digi-Ageing, DiGi4ME, KAEBUP, EPUM, WINDEXT, Dig-It, ICD-4TVET, TOOLS, PRIMAE, QHELP, Digi-Sporting, Job-Jo, HEPA4ALL, REBEL, CiSTEM², TOVID-20, T4SVEN, PIECIT, D-COLLAB, CONNECT, DIPHE, Epsilon, Intermove+, BLUE-ISLES, MyCred4Home, DACG, Rural Plus, BRIGHTS, The Learning Age, Bee-In, GTUP!, Beyzo, Rethink-React, Race4Life, DEEL4Host, Facilitate AI, AllIn&win, TRiPGiFT, iLEAP Coach, DiSHEd, Astractive, FOOD4ALL. SEIT has also participated in 13 Leonardo da Vinci projects, 3 EUMEDIS projects, 2 FP (Framework Programs), 1 INCO-DC and 3 projects funded by national funds. It has also participated in the EMUNI project(https://emuni.si) and the VUSCC initiative (https://vussc.col.org), both related to policy making or reform and qualifications accreditation, as well as in the Interreg IVC project Innofun, on developing policies for entrepreneurship and innovation. SEIT is currently participating in two AAL projects: eSticky, and GUIDed, and in one national project: ReaDI-STANCE, all of them related to different themes of the ERASMUS+ programme.

MATERIA is a private sector, multi-shareholder social enterprise, founded in Nicosia, Cyprus in 2000 (registered SME). Materia Group aims to enhance the social participation, educational opportunities and quality of life among vulnerable adult populations and especially older adults. Our organisation provides a variety of health, rehabilitation, care and wellbeingoriented services including nursing care, collaboration with doctors, psychosocial support, physiotherapy, cognitive therapy and neuropsychological evaluation, occupational therapy, transportation services, recreational classes (drama, art, animation), and educational courses to older individuals. Our services are provided through residential care, day-care, home care and outpatient care service models and thus, we have access to a large number of inpatient or community-dwelling individuals. Materia Group is a certified training center (Training Center: K000557, Training Infrastructure:D000761) for health and social sciences by the Cyprus Human Resource Authority (ANAD), having implemented series of training seminars for workers in healthcare, migrants and family caregivers with topics including health and safety, nursing care, psychoeducation and management of challenging behaviors. At any timepoint, Materia Group has at least 3 trainers accredited by HRDA with a variety of backgrounds and qualifications. Since 2014, we have a dedicated Applied Research and Development department with full-time and part-time employees with multidisciplinary background including researchers, psychologists, nurses, marketing specialists and more. The department focuses on research, as well as the development and testing of technological solutions and advanced curricula to address social issues. We have long experience as coordinators and partners in EU-funded projects (including Erasmus+, Horizon 2020, AAL, Eurostars, EEA Grants) and expertise in coordinating research projects, designing research methodologies, statistical analysing of data, reporting, compliance with ethical standards, dissemination activities and branding (e.g., logo creation, flyers) and sustainability action plans, as well as a wide network of contacts with National and EU-based associations, social enterprises, civil society organisations and key-opinion leaders in social and ethical topics.

University of Maribor (UM) is a comprehensive educational and research organization striving for academic excellence and the expansion of knowledge through basic and applied research. With over 1100 researchers and teaching staff, UM collaborates with economic partners, civil society, public administration and other institutions and thus supports research and art with focus on well-being and development of the society. Since 1993 The Faculty of Health Sciences (FHS) offers excellent study conditions, good results of graduates, modern didactic methods and approaches, variety choice of study contents, guest appearances of renowned domestic and foreign higher education teachers, diverse student pulse and extracurricular activities, high percentage of employability of graduates and home and abroad, international student exchange, education supported by state-of-the-art information-communication technology and a state-of-the-art simulation centre and classrooms. UM FHS is one of the most recognized and desired higher education institutions within the University of Maribor and it is also one of the most desired faculties among Slovenian nursing faculties and schools. The development and implementation of study programs are in continuous interaction with the implementation of scientific research work and practice. The Faculty is actively involved in the international educational and research arena, and participates, as a coordinator or partner in many European projects. Members of the UM team have previously worked on many European and national projects.