The Ulysseus European Alliance: a European dynamic at the heart of Université Côte d'Azur activities
- International
on the May 9, 2025
To mark Europe Day, Université Côte d'Azur is highlighting its European commitment through its active participation in the Ulysseus Alliance, of which it has been a founding member since 2020. This strategic partnership illustrates the growing international dimension of the University, which is fully contributing to building the inclusive, sustainable and innovative European university of the future.
Created in 2020 , the Ulysseus Alliance is one of 64 European universities selected by the European Commission to become the universities of the future. It brings together eight universities with diverse profiles, all committed to the development of their regions and cities: the University of Seville (Spain), Université Côte d'Azur (France), the University of Genoa (Italy), the Technical University of Košice (Slovakia), MCI | The Entrepreneurial School® (Austria), Haaga-Helia University of Applied Sciences (Finland), University of Münster (Germany) and University of Montenegro (Montenegro).
Ulysseus is committed to promoting a multilingual and multicultural environment. Present in regions with diverse economic and innovation dynamics, the Alliance works to reduce regional innovation gaps.regional innovation gaps, while supporting education and research to meet major global challenges.
Ulysseus represents a vision of collaborative education and research in the service of the great challenges of our time. Together, our universities are determined to promote innovation, inclusion and sustainable development, strengthening links between citizens and regions across Europe.
- Stéphane Ngo Mai, Vice-President Ulysseus
The Aging and Well-being Innovation Hub: a lever for excellence from the Côte d'Azur
As part of this dynamic, the Ulysseus Alliance is distinguished by its Innovation Hubs, collaborative structures essential to the development of innovative solutions to specific research challenges. These hubs, anchored in partner universities, are ideal places for co-creation and the emergence of new ideas. At Université Côte d'Azur, the Innovation Hub on Aging and Well-Being embodies this approach, bringing together researchers, professionals and citizens around major social and scientific issues related to aging and well-being. Based at Université Côte d'Azur in Nice (France), the Ulysseus Innovation Hub on Aging and Wellbeing explores key themes such as ;
- aging in urban environments
- the silver economy,
- environmental impacts on aging and well-being,
- biological mechanisms of aging.
Through this hub, Université Côte d'Azur aims to strengthen and promote innovative disciplinary, interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary research, in order to better understand aging and analyze its social, economic and environmental implications.Recently, Université Côte d'Azur and the Ulysseus Alliance took another step forward in their commitment to public health. The Ulysseus Innovation Hub on Aging and Well-Being has been designated a World Health Organization (WHO) Collaborating Centre for Systems Thinking and Innovation in the Prevention of Non-Communicable Diseases. This international recognition highlights the University's expertise and reinforces its role in major global health issues.
This designation by the WHO is recognition of the work accomplished by our teams and of our ability to innovate in the face of public health challenges.
- Anne Vuillemin, Vice-President Doctoral Policy and Director of the WHO Collaborating Centre.
As a WHO Collaborating Centre, the Hub will be carrying out a number of initiatives in partnership with the WHO: training healthcare professionals in systems thinking, research into innovation applied to healthcare policies, and the creation of an innovation ecosystem dedicated to public health. This dynamic is also reflected in the organization of international events, such as the annual Summer School, the next edition of which is scheduled for July 2025 in Nice.
A university open to Europe and the world
Through Ulysseus, Université Côte d'Azur benefits from a stronger European presence: mobilization of networks, development of joint training programs, co-financing of innovative projects, support for start-ups and young researchers, organization of international events such as the Summer School planned for Nice in July 2025.This international recognition enhances the University's expertise and strengthens its role in major global healthcare issues.
With this in mind, the Ulysseus Innovation Hub on Aging and Wellbeing also relies on innovative facilities to encourage experimentation and the development of concrete solutions. In particular, it has a Living Lab, a laboratory open to citizens, healthcare professionals, startups and companies to test projects in real-life situations, as well as a support program dedicated to innovative startups in the healthcare field.
This program is part of a national and international context, and benefits from the openness of the eight partner countries that are members of the Ulysseus Alliance, through "learning expeditions" and exploratory missions. Member startups benefit from tailor-made support provided by high-ranking experts, including healthcare professionals, investors, business angels, investment banks, local authorities, manufacturers and mentors.
Ulysseus represents an ambitious European vision to which Université Côte d'Azur is actively contributing, by combining academic excellence, innovation and societal commitment
- Stéphane Ngo Mai, Ulysseus Vice-President.
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