The 8th European Business University Forum (#UBForum) was held in Brussels on 24-25 October. The forum is organized annually by the European Commission through Education, Audiovisual and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). All of Europe was represented there through 93 Erasmus + Knowledge Alliances (KA) projects that have been developed since 2014 onwards. Each project was attended by a couple formed by a university and a company, the perfect combination to convert the dreams of young Europeans into market value through education. Of course, O-City was there.

One might well say that Brussels is the European capital where dreams can become realities, and not because it is the cradle of beer and chocolate crafts (which also produce beautiful dreams), but because it is there, in Brussels, where the spirit of harmony on which the European Union has been built is perceived.

Teachers and businessmen shared, during the two days of the event, ideas and opinions, and we discussed in the forum about topics as diverse as:

  • the construction of local or regional ecosystems,
  • the mismatch between the skills demanded by companies and those taught in universities,
  • the necessary adaptation to the future of our labour market,
  • building a social trust framework to address social challenges through cooperation,
  • and the development of an entrepreneurial culture.

There were many of the Erasmus + KA projects that are currently being developed or recently completed, and we had the opportunity to show our work to others through an area of exhibitions and organized pitches. There, the power of education could be felt as a lever for change and progress in the world. Education wrapped by the European flag through all these projects.

The power of education could be felt as a lever for change and progress in the world.

O-City was there, represented by partners GM-Studio of Greece and Polytechnic University of Valencia (UPV) of Spain. The project aroused the interest of many of the attendees for their way of merging education, urban culture, natural and cultural heritage of our cities and multimedia technologies. A cocktail, in view of all, generator of wealth within the framework of the orange economy:

  • wealth for cities,
  • wealth for citizens,
  • wealth for teachers and students around the world,
  • and wealth for companies and professionals.

Many synergies were found with other European projects. Some related to multimedia, others with soft skills, creativity, art, culture and heritage in cities and entrepreneurial skills. In short, it was a great success that had the final visit of the governor of the Thessaly region in Greece who is supporting our work and could admire it.