The future of higher education, emerging trends in educational development, and new opportunities for international collaboration were the focus of the first EUGLOH Conference on Pedagogical Development, hosted by the University of Alcalá from May 27 to 29, 2026. Held under the theme Future-Proofing Higher Education: Innovation and Collaboration in Teaching and Learning Across Borders, the conference brought together more than 200 faculty members, students, researchers, and educational development professionals from across the EUGLOH Alliance and beyond. The University of Szeged played an active role in the event, contributing to discussions on innovative teaching practices and the future of higher education.
At the first EUGLOH Conference on Pedagogical Development, plenary sessions and parallel presentations addressed a wide range of timely topics, from the digital transformation of international education and student-centered learning to the growing role of artificial intelligence in higher education. Particularly inspiring for participants were the practical examples showcasing AI-supported teaching and learning, alongside innovative approaches to curriculum design and student assessment.
The University of Szeged was represented by students, faculty members, and an educational development specialist, who contributed to the conference through workshops, presentations, and poster sessions highlighting their experience with innovative approaches to higher education. Their contributions covered a wide range of topics, including the development of national and international educational programs, innovative course design, strategies for fostering a culture of quality in higher education, and methods of educational assessment and evaluation.
One of the conference’s most popular sessions was the interactive workshop led by Dr. Beáta Udvari and Dr. Zsófia Patyi, titled Connecting Pedagogical Development with Quality Culture – A Scenario-Based Role Play. The workshop invited participants to rethink quality culture not as an administrative requirement, but as a collaborative process of continuous improvement embedded in everyday teaching practice.
Working through six real-life higher education scenarios, participants assumed eight different stakeholder roles, encouraging them to step beyond their own professional perspectives and gain a deeper understanding of how educational decisions shape the experiences of different members of the academic community. The discussions reinforced a key message: in higher education, quality culture is not an externally imposed administrative framework, but a shared responsibility rooted in effective pedagogical practice.
For the student participants, the conference offered a valuable opportunity to present their research, exchange ideas with peers, and engage with the international higher education community. Their presentations sparked lively professional discussions, while plenary sessions on the educational applications of artificial intelligence and poster presentations showcasing innovative teaching methods – including educational escape rooms – provided fresh inspiration for their own research and future teaching practice.
Beyond the official program, the opportunity to connect in person proved equally valuable. Informal conversations helped students and faculty members build new international ties, with several discussions already giving rise to ideas for future joint research projects and educational collaborations within the Alliance. According to the participants, one of the conference’s most important messages was that, despite the different challenges faced by universities across Europe, educators share a common commitment to enhancing the student experience, embracing innovative teaching methods, and continuously improving the quality of higher education.
The conference in Alcalá demonstrated the added value of European university alliances as catalysts for educational innovation, knowledge exchange, and lasting international partnerships. For the University of Szeged, participation in the event not only provided an opportunity to showcase its expertise in pedagogical development but also laid the groundwork for new collaborative initiatives across the EUGLOH Alliance.
Source: SZTE Directorate for Academic Affairs
