2023 Teaching & Learning Conference

The 3rd edition of the ENLIGHT Teaching and Learning Conference was held in Bordeaux. From 11 - 13 October (2023), more than 200 students, teachers and educators from the ENLIGHT partners gathered here to share examples of innovative teaching, to network and to look at collaboration opportunities. The UG was also represented and participated in workshops, discussions and presentations. The programme included a keynote by Robert Coelen of Campus Fryslan titled: 'Empowering students of Higher Education with Diversity''. Additionally, the Global Dialogue Awards as well as the T&L Awards (the prizes for best programme of the year) were presented. We proudly announce that UG staff memeber Benjamin Leruth from the Faculty of Arts won a T&L Award. His team received 3rd place for the course 'Democratic Innovations'.

Impressions from UG participants:

Dr. Liga Klavina, Psychology Department, Faculty of Behavioural & Social Sciences
Liga is part of the team who won the first T&L Award in 2021

“Compared to the earlier editions this had, I think, the highest student representation and engagement. It is one of the things that makes the conference special, students are co-presenters and presenters, and also have active roles in shaping the conference. What I value is the resulting dynamic conversations about teaching and learning. In every subgroup discussion I was involved in, students were there readily sharing their perspective and experience. Student co-creation to some may seem like a distant and not always a realistic scenario, whereas in this conference it really comes to life. With the ENLIGHT project moving forward, I am curious if the sometimes apparent disconnect in how some topics, such as sustainability and diversity, are thought about by different groups (based on age, region, discipline) can be bridged? Perhaps through the role of moderator(s) in key moments in the conference representing a multitude of such voices?
The set-up of our peer mentor system at psychology received interest from students and staff of other universities, and I learned a lot about challenge-based learning, both from diving deep into exploring the opportunities and limitations, and from the other ENLIGHT colleagues sharing what they learned from their own Challenge-based learning courses.”

Scholte Boels, Trainer and Career Advisor, FEB Career Services

"I have never been to the ENLIGHT Teaching and Learning conference before, and I was very curious to find out what the role of students who attended the conference would be. The way professors, staff, and students engaged with each other and shared perspectives which resulted in a very dynamic conference with some interesting discussions. What stood out to me was the diversity of instructional strategies and ideas that teachers use to empower learners. A particularly interesting idea that I came across was a career readiness self-assessment tool for students that provides learners with a selection of activities they can engage in (offered by career services). The tool lets students take ownership of their career development process as well as helps them structure the process and support them in their needs."

Benjamin Leruth, Teacher Democratic Innovations, T&L 3rd place winner

"I am very grateful to the jury for recognizing this course and the efforts we put into making it a unique learning experience. I would like to thank my colleagues Léonie de Jonge and Stefan Couperus (who used to co-teach this course), all stakeholders who agreed to be part of the democratic experiments, as well as all students who took the course over the past three years: the course has become a success story thanks to their invaluable contributions."

Rabea Schmucker, Student Democratic Innovations

“Being enrolled in this course and getting to represent Benjamin at the Conference has been a truly enriching experience, which I am very thankful for. What really sets the course apart from others for me is the emphasis on practical application as it makes me engage more deeply with the content and increases understanding."