16 student representatives from 12 universities and 11 countries gathered in Dubrovnik this week for the EUNICoast General Assembly – not as passive attendees, but as co-designers of the alliance’s future. Over two intensive days, the Student Council worked on practical AI skills, explored neuromarketing at Dubrovnik’s Axon Lab, and began building the tools that will connect 120,000+ students across the alliance.
AI as a working tool, not a buzzword
The Student Council’s AI training session on Sunday wasn’t a lecture about the future of technology. It was a hands-on workshop where students learned to use generative AI tools for real tasks: drafting communications, analysing data, and critically evaluating AI-generated content. The session drew on EUNICoast’s GenAI Master Guide, which frames AI literacy as a core competence for European university students – and deliberately includes European alternatives like Mistral alongside US-based tools.
“It offered both a broader reflection on the social impact of artificial intelligence and practical insight into the use of AI tools in everyday work. Participants had the chance to explore platforms such as ChatGPT, Claude, and Mistral, which was particularly interesting as a European AI solution. The training highlighted the importance of understanding the differences between currently available AI tools and using them in a conscious and responsible way. It also provided an overview of the current global AI landscape, making the session relevant not only from a technical perspective, but also in political, economic, and social terms.” – Paulina Gora, Student Council, West Pomeranian University of Technology in Szczecin, Poland.
Inside Dubrovnik’s neuromarketing lab
Monday morning took the Student Council to Villa Elisa, home to the University of Dubrovnik’s Axon Lab. Students experienced first-hand how eye-tracking, facial coding and biometric sensors are used in neuromarketing research – and discussed how these techniques could strengthen the visibility of EUNICoast’s own initiatives across partner institutions.
“This workshop gave participants a closer look at neuromarketing and the kinds of marketing techniques that shape consumer behaviour in everyday life. A particularly impressive aspect was the opportunity to learn more about the research conducted at the host university and to see how this work helps explain the mechanisms behind consumer decision-making. The Axon Lab experience stood out as a strong example of how academic research can be connected with practical, real-world applications.” – Paulina Gora, Student Council, West Pomeranian University of Technology in Szczecin, Poland.
Co-designing the alliance’s next steps
Beyond training, the Student Council engaged directly with strategic documents that will define the alliance’s direction. Students reviewed the EUNICoast Educational Model and Strategy and the GenAI Guide – providing feedback that will be integrated before these documents are finalised. They also received a presentation on the Common Research Agenda from WP3, connecting student perspectives to the alliance’s research priorities.
Later in the week, the Council worked with the Communications team on the design of the Student Ambassador Programme – the peer-to-peer mechanism through which EUNICoast aims to build visibility and engagement at each partner university. Students also contributed to the Virtual Campus development, shaping the digital platform that will host joint courses and mobility opportunities across the alliance.
The upshot
The Student Council is not a symbolic body. It holds an advisory seat on the Board of Rectors and participates in the co-design of Work Package activities. This week’s sessions in Dubrovnik are part of EUNICoast’s commitment to placing students at the centre of the alliance’s governance.
"The student council meetings also played an important role during the visit. They created space for discussion about the role of students and doctoral candidates in governance within the alliance, as well as for reflecting on the future direction of student involvement in EUNICoast. Students see themselves as active contributors to the development of the alliance, supporting its leadership while also promoting European initiatives within their own academic communities. Increasing visibility, accessibility, and awareness of the opportunities offered by EUNICoast remains one of the key priorities for future student-led activities.” – Paulina Gora, Student Council, West Pomeranian University of Technology in Szczecin, Poland.
The General Assembly continues through 12 March with sessions on the Common Research Agenda, joint educational programmes, and the Framework Alliance Agreement. Follow EUNICoast on LinkedIn and Instagram for daily updates.
