The Arqus Aware initiative, funded by the Arqus Innovation Fund, is part of the Arqus Alliance Ambassadors Programme. It is designed to engage student ambassadors from partner universities in promoting and participating in the Arqus Annual Conferences. The initiative empowers ambassadors to act as liaisons between their home universities and the Arqus community, fostering cross-cultural exchange, inclusivity, and stronger ties within the alliance.
Launched in September 2023, Arqus Aware gives selected student ambassadors the opportunity to gain international experience, develop key skills such as teamwork, leadership, and cross-cultural communication, and build lasting networks across the Arqus partner institutions. Through training and coordinated activities, ambassadors promote the annual conference via social media, university channels, and direct outreach, helping raise awareness and broaden participation. They also contribute during the conferences by participating in sessions, workshops, and a dedicated side event where they share insights and best practices for effective outreach and engagement.
The first edition of Arqus Aware took place during the Arqus Annual Conference 2025 in Leipzig. There, ambassadors attended plenary and working group sessions, contributed to communication and video projects, and actively participated in key events such as the workshop “Collaborating for Change – Advancing the Arqus Inclusion & Diversity Action Plan” and the session on equity in AI. They also worked collaboratively to document successful dissemination practices from their universities, creating a resource to inspire further innovation across the alliance.
Arqus Aware involves ambassadors in meaningful ways and strengthens the Arqus community, promotes sustainable and inclusive practices aligned with Erasmus+ priorities, and ensures the annual conferences are vibrant, diverse, and impactful.