HEROES

In essence: HEROES – which stands for Higher Education for Resilience-Oriented and Empowered Societies – is a transnational alliance of nine practice-oriented universities of applied sciences and universities, including Fontys. Together, we aim to strengthen the “smart regional resilience” of people, businesses, and nature through education, research, and collaboration.

These are the institutes involved:

• Fontys University of Applied Sciences (Netherlands)
• Thomas More University of Applied Sciences (Belgium)
• University College Northern Denmark (Denmark)
• Polytechnic University of Beja (Portugal)
• Deggendorf Institute of Technology (Germany)
• Halmstad University (Sweden)
• Seinäjoki University of Applied Sciences (Finland)
• Vilniaus Kolegija (Lithuania)
• Mendel University in Brno (Czech Republic)

At HEROES, it’s all about the approach. We stand for:

• A joint educational offering at minor, master’s and doctoral level, with a strong link to practice.
• Challenge-based learning: students, lecturers, researchers and local partners tackle real-world problems together.
• A close-knit, practice-oriented research network that creates real regional impact.
• Flexible learning pathways and micro-credentials for professionals who want to upskill or reskill, with a focus on the green and digital transition.

HEROES not only offers many opportunities and possibilities for our students, but also gives Fontys staff the chance to develop internationally, enrich education and research, and further strengthen their own careers and networks.

Lecturers and researchers

HEROES offers Fontys staff the opportunity to develop internationally, enrich education and research, and further strengthen their own careers and networks.
It also enables regional and societal impact through international collaboration.

This concerns the following themes:

• Professional development & mobility
• International network & collaboration
• Educational innovation
• Research & practical impact
• Career development & visibility

Professional development & mobility

• Opportunity to participate in exchange programmes (teaching/research staff mobility) within the alliance.
• Access to trainings, summer schools and staff weeks organised by partner institutions.
• Micro-credentials and (online) courses that are also accessible to staff - upskilling in areas such as digitalisation, sustainability and international pedagogy.

International network & collaboration

• Direct access to a large European network of lecturers, researchers and support staff.
• Collaboration in interdisciplinary education and research with universities and universities of applied sciences in other countries.
• Opportunity to jointly submit funding applications (EU projects, Horizon Europe, Erasmus+).

Educational innovation

• Inspiration and knowledge exchange on new educational approaches such as challenge-based learning, blended learning and virtual campus solutions.
• Co-creation of curricula and didactic tools that can be applied directly in your own teaching.

Research & practical impact

• Collaboration in international practice-oriented research projects with regional impact.
• Access to research data, expertise and infrastructure of partner institutions.
• Opportunity to make your own research more visible and relevant in a European context.

Career development & visibility

• Strengthening your CV and academic profile through international experience.
• Participation in conferences, publications and presentations within the HEROES network.
• Greater visibility for your expertise and for Fontys as a whole.

Students

HEROES offers students the opportunity to enrich their studies with international experiences, practice-based challenges and personal growth, enabling them to be better prepared for a dynamic and increasingly international society.

For Fontys students, HEROES offers the opportunity to shape their studies in an international and future-oriented way. They can gain experience in an international learning environment where collaboration with students from other countries and cultures is central.

They also have greater flexibility to design their own learning pathways by accessing minors, modules and micro-credentials offered by HEROES partner institutions. In addition, the education is strongly practice-oriented: students work on real regional and international challenges involving companies, governments and societal organisations. In this way, they develop problem-solving skills and learn how to apply their knowledge in practice.

This experience directly enhances their opportunities in the labour market. By developing intercultural and international skills, building a portfolio of micro-credentials and, in the future, even obtaining a European degree or label, students strengthen their position in job applications and career development.

At the same time, they build a broad European network of students and professionals. This network not only provides access to exchanges and projects, but also stimulates personal growth in the widest sense. Working in unfamiliar contexts and participating in activities such as hackathons or student councils helps them develop confidence and broaden their horizons.

Within HEROES, everything revolves around action and learning together. That is why we organise activities and education and research programmes in which students, lecturers, researchers and professionals collaborate across borders. Challenge-based learning is a central approach to creating authentic learning in interdisciplinary environments where solutions to real regional challenges are developed together.

Whether it concerns short intensive programmes, joint courses, practice-oriented research or lifelong learning pathways, each activity connects knowledge to real issues from the region and society.

HEROES4REGIONS at Fontys offers students and lecturers the opportunity to make real impact through challenge-based education. In international teams, participants work on current societal issues and regional challenges related to the theme of “resilience”, such as climate adaptation, social inclusion or digital transformation.
These are short, intensive programmes that combine online and physical collaboration, and for which funding is usually available through Erasmus+ (e.g. BIPs – Blended Intensive Programmes). Examples of challenge-based projects that have already been realised include the “Homeless HEROES BIP” in Portugal (resilience of people) and the “Sustainable Transport BIP” in Finland (resilience of nature).

You learn in practice, develop relevant skills and receive a HEROES certificate. Lecturers receive support and training to integrate this innovative educational approach into their curriculum.

HEROES4REGIONS brings practice-oriented research to an international level. Within this programme, European universities of applied sciences collaborate in thematic research teams (“pods”) focusing on topics such as healthcare, the circular economy, digital transformation and education.
These networks develop joint research agendas, share facilities and connect local challenges to concrete innovation projects. Research that is firmly rooted in professional practice. Lecturers, students and researchers work together with companies, municipalities and societal organisations on solutions that create real impact. Students can participate through research internships and graduation projects, while lecturers and researchers collaborate on joint research initiatives.