Summer School for Young Researchers: Resilience X-Factor of a City
The Summer School “Resilience X-Factor of a City” delivered a wealth of inspiring moments and innovative ideas with the potential to positively impact the university campus and the development of Košice.
The Technical University of Košice (TUKE) organised a second edition of Ulysseus Summer Institute, this time focusing on the theme of Resilience X-Factor of a City from 16 to 20 June 2025. The aim of the event, intended for PhD students and young researchers, was to enable participants to identify and define the X-factor of the city of Košice, as a combination of unique qualities and characteristics that make it attractive and exceptional, across five themes: 15-Minute City, Green Climate Resilient City, Smart City, Sustainable Economics, Citizen Science and Engagement.
The summer school, initiated by the Faculty of Economics at TUKE in cooperation with Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Informatics as well as Faculty of Civil Engineering, welcomed world-renowned experts in urban development to Košice, sparking stimulating discussions and providing valuable insights for the development of Eastern Slovakia’s metropolis.
The summer school was an activity of Ulysseus European University, organised under the auspices of the Regional Science Association International (RSAI) and prepared in cooperation with partner university: Université Côte d’Azur (UniCA; France). Moreover as such, the activity was a practical outcome of the first joint Ulysseus research group focused on the economy and smart cities.
As a PhD Candidate in Architecture, I found fascinating the different approaches that were given to the concept of resilience in the Ulysseus 2025 Summer Institute: “The Resilience X-Factor of a City”. Either by student proposals during our bootcamp projects or by great lecturers such as Carlos Moreno, Karima Kourtit or Paul Krugman among many others, the insights given on such a complex concept were of great help for my research“
– Victor Marquet-Saget (University of Seville, Spain
Participants of the Summer School
The summer school hosted a total of 23 PhD students and young researchers from nine universities: 18 PhD students from Ulysseus member universities (USE, UniCA, UniGe) and other partner universities of TUKE (Liverpool John Moores Universiry, UK; University of Pardubice, Czech Republic; Technical university Dresden, Germany; Ion Mincu University of Architecture and Urban Planning Bucharest, Romania; and Kaunas University of Technology, Lithuania). Three participants from Slovakia (Faculty of Economics and Faculty of Mechanical Engineering TUKE) complemented the group of international participants. They came from 4 continents and 11 countries (Cuba, France, Germany, India, Iran, Myanmar, Pakistan, Portugal, Romania, Spain, and Slovakia).
The summer school was organised as a Blended Intensive Programme (BIP), supporting the internationalisation and mobility of students.
Attending the Ulysseus BIP Summer Institute was a really meaningful experience for me. The program gave us the chance to explore the idea of what makes a city resilient, not just through lectures, but also by going out into the city and learning from real-life examples. I enjoyed working in groups with students from different countries, it helped me see things from new perspectives. The atmosphere was friendly, and the organizers were very supportive throughout the week. Overall, it was a great balance of learning, sharing ideas, and experiencing the culture of Košice
– Nayab Ali (University of Genoa, Italy
Diversified Programme
The programme offered a rich blend of lectures, workshops, fieldwork, and hands-on activities focused on urban development in Košice. It began with an online kick-off meeting and continued onsite at USP TECHNICOM with an official opening and expert-led lectures. The first day ended with an international conference on urban innovation, part of the Leading Minds Series, featuring prominent speakers and organized with local partners.
The following days included teamwork sessions under “Hack the City,” expert consultations during “Meet the Professors,” and field visits to companies, labs, and city landmarks. On the fourth day, teams finalized proposals during the Bootcamp and attended a special lecture at a local brewery. The week concluded with team presentations and discussions with experts and guests.
About Ulysseus
Ulysseus is one of the 64 European Universities selected by the European Commission to become the universities of the future. Led by the University of Seville, the Alliance encompasses other seven universities in Europe: the University of Genoa, Italy; Université Côte d’Azur, France; the Technical University of Košice, Slovakia; MCI | The Entrepreneurial School®, Austria; Haaga-Helia University of Applied Sciences, Finland, the University of Münster, Germany, and the University of Montenegro, Montenegro.