UnaVEx

For this virtual student exchange in the field of sustainability (UnaVEx), three Una Europa Partners, Helsingin yliopisto/Helsingfors universitet, Alma Mater Studiorum Università di Bologna and, KU Leuven, have partnered with three African universities, University of Johannesburg, University of Nairobi and, University of Kinshasa. It is an international, interdisciplinary, and intercultural online bridge for European and African students, to collaborate more closely on sustainable education. UnaVEx is an EU-funded ERASMUS+ project coordinated by the University of Helsinki and other leading research-intensive universities in Europe and Africa. It aims to provide accessible, affordable, and sustainable international online exchange opportunities to all students that are interested in Global Sustainability.

Course Topics and Contents

• The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals
• Climate Change
• Biodiversity
• The intersections of political economy and the arts in sustainability
• Green transition
• Increasing environmental awareness
• Skills for sustainable transformation
• Outlook on sustainablity from different perspectives

The UnaVEx opportunity is open to all Bachelor, Master, Doctor, and PostDoc students from Una Europa Alliance partner universities, as well as students at the African partner universities.

UnaVEx builds on the Introduction to Sustainability (3 ECTS) MOOC (massive online open course). Completing all parts of UnaVEx awards you a total of 3 + 1 ECTS. The participation in UnaVEx, without completing the Inroduction to Sustainability, is awarded with 1 ECTS and a certificate of participation (by the University of Helsinki). 

Recognition of the 4 ECTS credits within the following  Bachelor's study programmes at UZH :

• Major in Banking and Finance (credits counted towards freier Wahlbereich)

• Major in Betriebswirtschaftslehre (credits counted towards freier Wahlbereich)

• Major in Informatik mit Naturwissenschaften (credits counted towards freier Wahlbereich)

• Major in Softwaresysteme (credits counted towards freier Wahlbereich)

• Major in Volkswirtschaftslehre (credits counted towards freier Wahlbereich)

• Major in Wirtschaftsinformatik (credits counted towards freier Wahlbereich)

For other study programmes, recognition may still be possible upon bilateral discussion with your faculty’s Office of Student Affairs (Studiendekanat).

The next UnaVEx will take place between March 3rd and March 26th 2026. In total there will be five sessions, each 3 hours max., 14:00 – 17:00 CET, UTC+1 on the following dates: 

5.3.2026

12.3.2026

19.3.2026

24.3.2026

26.3.2026

There will be four more iterations of UnaVEx to come until 2027, so stay tuned to not miss out on the opportunity!

Visit the link below to get more detailed information and to register for UnaVEx by the 28^th of January 2026.

UnaVEx Website