Doctor Haider Al-Juboori, a lecturer in the Department of Electronics Engineering and Communications at SETU's campus in Carlow, recently attended the 6th International Conference on the Application of Optics and Photonics (AOP) at the University of Aveiro, Portugal.
Dr Al-Juboori successfully applied for an EU-CONEXUS Mobility Fund under the theme of Call for Participation in International Conferences on Smart Urban Coastal Sustainability. The objective of the Mobility Fund is to support attendance at conferences covering Smart Urban Coastal Sustainability topics. Other objectives include presenting research results and technological developments, expanding networks, and increasing the alliance's public presence.
EU-CONEXUS Mobility Fund
The EU-CONEXUS Mobility Fund is available to all universities within the EU-CONEXUS alliance. SETU staff can apply under three categories: Call for Research Mobility for EU-CONEXUS Alliance Members, Call for Invitation of External Experts, and Call for Participation in International Conferences on Smart Urban Coastal Sustainability.
Insights
During Dr Al-Juboori's keynote speech at AOP 2024 he explained how advanced diagnostic technologies, such as laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS), achieve several sustainable development goals (SDGs) through case studies. Reflecting on his participation, Dr Al-Juboori noted numerous professional and personal benefits. Professionally, the conference facilitated knowledge expansion, insights into the latest research, trends, and innovations, and the development of new skills through workshop sessions.
Networking
Networking is a significant output of EU-CONEXUS mobility opportunities. Dr Al-Juboori emphasised the value of building connections and networking with peers, experts, and leaders from around the world. From a career development perspective, he says he gained insights and learned from the experiences of established professionals.
Participating in international conferences offers academic and research benefits, including publication opportunities and constructive feedback from a diverse audience. Speaking after the event Dr Al-Juboori said, “The feedback received during my presentation has been invaluable, offering constructive suggestions to refine and strengthen our initiatives.”
Personal growth
EU-Conexus Mobility Fund opportunities foster personal growth through cultural exposure and broadening global perspectives. They build confidence in presenting work and engaging in discussions with international peers, improving communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills. For SETU, mobilities support knowledge transfer, leading to innovations and improvements, and foster strategic partnerships through connections that can lead to future collaborations.
“The feedback received during my presentation has been invaluable, offering constructive suggestions to refine and strengthen our initiatives.”
Dr Al-Juboori SETU lecturer, Department of Electronics Engineering and Communications
Personal reflection
On a personal level, Dr Al-Juboori found the conference to be a valuable platform for expanding his knowledge and staying updated with the latest advancements and trends in his field. He noted that the insightful sessions and workshops significantly enhanced his skills and understanding, which he is eager to apply.
Commenting on the networking opportunities, Dr Al-Juboori said, “The opportunities were unparalleled, allowing me to connect with experts, peers, and leaders from around the globe. These connections have already started to foster potential collaborations and partnerships that promise to bring innovative solutions and fresh perspectives to SETU.” The knowledge and experiences he brought back are set to be integrated into future SETU projects, driving improvements, and fostering a culture of continuous learning and innovation.
The EU-CONEXUS Mobility Fund aims to support student, staff, and researcher mobility within the EU, particularly among the institutions that are part of the EU-CONEXUS alliance. By encouraging mobility among EU-CONEXUS partner institutions, the fund promotes European collaboration and innovation in education and research. It fosters the exchange of knowledge, best practices, and cultural understanding, contributing to the creation of a more integrated and competitive European Higher Education Area.
To find further information about the EU-CONEXUS Mobility Fund, tap here.
About EU-CONEXUS
EU-CONEXUS is a fully-fledged transnational European University offering joint education, training and study programmes, joint research, and professional development opportunities for all of its staff, researchers, and students.
SETU is a partner of the EU-CONEXUS European University Alliance on Smart Urban Coastal Sustainability with La Rochelle University, France; Catholic University of Valencia, Spain; University of Zadar, Croatia; Agricultural University of Athens, Greece; Frederick University, Cyprus; Technical University of Civil Engineering Bucharest, Romania; Klaipeda University, Lithuania and University of Rostock, Germany.
EU-CONEXUS is themed on “Smart Urban Coastal Sustainability”, focusing on education, research & innovation, and knowledge-sharing activities on defining, understanding, and addressing societal challenges experienced by communities from urban and semi-urbanised coastal regions (rivers, seas and oceans).
Further details can be found on the EU-CONEXUS website, tap here.