On 28-29 January 2026, the Accelerate Future HEI consortium gathered at USTP (University of Applied Sciences St. Pölten, Austria) for a two‑day in‑person meeting dedicated to furthering the project’s shared mission of supporting higher education institutions in becoming more innovative, entrepreneurial, and impact‑driven. As one of the 12 project partners and the host of the meeting, USTP provided an ideal environment for collaboration, reflection, and strategic alignment.
Accelerate Future HEI, funded under the Horizon Europe programme, aims to develop and test acceleration services that help higher education institutions (HEIs) undertake institutional transformation. This includes building internal capacity, creating innovation‑driven ecosystems, and aligning academic activities with societal needs. Over the course of the four‑year project period (2023–2026), the consortium works toward creating robust transformation roadmaps, implementing targeted interventions, and sharing policy recommendations with the European Commission.
The meeting in St. Pölten brought partners together at a pivotal moment, month 37 of the project, making the gathering a key milestone to review ongoing progress and collectively prepare for the final implementation phase. The first day opened with a general project overview, providing partners the opportunity to reflect on achievements so far and align expectations for the year ahead. This was followed by an Institutional Transformation Acceleration Projects (ITAPs) working session, led by UIIN, which supported partners in refining their institutional transformation strategies and analysing the impact of ongoing activities.
In the afternoon, partners participated in an Impact Workshop facilitated by TUM International (TUMINT), focusing on methodologies for evaluating transformation activities and strengthening evidence‑based reporting across the consortium. This was complemented by an Infographics Workshop led by Momentum Marketing Services, which explored effective visual communication techniques to enhance project dissemination and storytelling. These hands‑on sessions promoted peer‑learning and equipped partners with practical skills to improve their work package outcomes.
The second day of the meeting featured a guided tour of USTP’s laboratories, showcasing its infrastructure in digital technologies, media, AI, and innovation. Partners gained insights into USTP’s strategic initiatives, including entrepreneurship programs such as the Creative Pre‑Incubator (CPI) by accent, a long‑standing support system for early‑stage innovators funded by the federal state of Lower Austria. The second day concluded with a discussion of the next steps for the implementation of the Institutional Transformation Acceleration Projects, providing space for partners to share insights, challenges, and strategies for the upcoming months.
Across both days, there was an atmosphere of strong collaboration, forward‑thinking dialogue, and a shared commitment to produce sustainable transformation results. As the consortium approaches the project’s final year, the St. Pölten meeting successfully renewed momentum and helped partners prepare for the completion of their transformation projects, as well as for the development of final lessons‑learned and policy recommendations.
Hosting the meeting allowed USTP to demonstrate its engagement not only as a project partner but also as an institution actively driving innovation, entrepreneurship, and regional impact. With valuable input gained from all partners, the gathering in St. Pölten represented an important milestone on the road toward stronger, future‑ready higher education institutions across Europe.
Check out more of our partner meeting activities here: Multimedia – Accelerate Future HEI
