ASSOCIATION FOR EUROPEAN LIFE SCIENCE UNIVERSITIES

Navigating Complexity: ICA Leading the Circular Bioeconomy Transformation

will be held on 16 and 17 October 2025
at BOKU University, Vienna, Austria

This forum provides a dedicated platform to explore the evolving Science–Policy Interface and to showcase best practices in knowledge mobilization by ICA's life science universities

See the Forum Programme and Register

Please hear the Invitation to the Forum 
form BOKU Rector Eva Schulev-Steindl 

Shaping Europe’s Bioeconomy Strategy: Contributions from European Life Science Universities

The 𝗘𝘂𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗮𝗻 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗶𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 has made a call for evidence and public consultation to take into account the perspectives of stakeholders, especially young people, SMEs (including start-ups), non-governmental organisations, trade unions, and primary producers. 

ICA has responded to the call by submitting the attached document on 23 June
🟢 We believe that integrating sustainability, circularity, and resilience into the bioeconomy is key to tackling global challenges such as climate change, biodiversity loss, and food system resilience.
🟢 Our Life Science Universities are ready to drive innovation, provide evidence-based knowledge for policymaking, and equip future professionals with the interdisciplinary skills needed for Europe’s green and digital transitions.

Recommendations for Education Pathways Initiatives to Support Transformations to the Bioeconomy

The ICA Community of Practice for Bioeconomy Education in Europe (ICA-CoP Bio-Edu) recognises the statements in the call document of skills shortages as the new green jobs come on stream and expand as the EU transforms towards the Bioeconomy. Consequently ICA-CoP Bio-Edu proposes that in the new Bioeconomy Strategy the following actions should be taken by the European Commission under the guidance of a Bioeconomy Skills Observatory, to address the skills shortages::

1. Reinforcing Interdisciplinarity in curricula
2. Lifelong Learning – collaboration between industry and universities
3. Learning communities driving the transformations to the bioeconomy

Read the full recommendations of the ICA-CoP Bio-Edu submission in the attached submission document

The ICA Community of Practice for Bioeconomy Education in Europe (ICA-CoP Bio-Edu) is a Committee of the Board of ICA.  More information about ICA-CoP Bio-Edu can be found here

The Circular Bioeconomy and Sustainable Development

Download the flyer to see the detailed programme and registration details.  Deadline for registration 5 May

ICA Rectors and Deans Forum 2025 will be held on 16 and 17 October at BOKU University, Vienna. The theme: Navigating Complexity: ICA Leading the Circular Bioeconomy Transformation.  See full details here

The ICA General Assembly 2025 will be held online on Wednesday 18 June from 13.00 to 15.00.

READ MORE to see the full list of all ICA, ICA Board Committees, ICA Standing Committees and ICA Partner events to be held in 2025 - the list will be updated as events are announced

The ICA General Assembly 2025

was held online on 18 June from 13.00 - 15.00 CEST

Representation at the General Assembly

The General Assembly is open to all staff and students of ICA Member Institutions, and all are warmly invited to attend. The Assembly is considered duly constituted when at least one-third of the Member Institutions are represented.

Registration is closed

Maria Knutson-Wedel, President of ICA, presemted the annual report on activities during 2024 and 2025 on behalf of the ICA Board.

ICA-CoP Bio-Edu 2025 Learning Communities for the transformation to the bioeconomy: innovation by dialogue between partners

Webinar No1: Two Case Studies of Learning Communities at a local level (a region within one country)
To be held on Monday 19 May from 13.00 to 14.00 CET

Presenters:
Christian Klar, Head of Coordination Centre BioökonomieREVIER, Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Jülich, Germany
Raymond Sparreboom, Academy for Technology and Innovation, Avans University of Applied Sciences, The Netherlands

Click on Read more below to see the presenters abstracts and the short bios, and Register

ICA-CoP Bio-Edu Workshop 2024

Download the Workshop Report from the programme page
Engaging with the corporate world to enhance the provision by life science universities and faculties of lifelong learning for professionals in the Bioeconomy

 ICA-Edu Workshop 2024

Downlaod the Workshop Report from the progarmme page
Developing best teaching and learning practices for the professional use of AI in Life Sciences Higher Education

The call is launched to recognise individuals who have achieved excellence in furthering the values and mission of ICA.

Read more to see the full details of the call and and download your nomination form

Application Deadline 12 May 2025