RESILIENT CITIES Summer school 2025

The EIT Urban Mobility Summer School on Resilient Cities 2025 connected motivated students and young professionals from across Europe to explore how innovation, entrepreneurship, and design thinking can make cities more sustainable and resilient.

Jointly organised by the Slovak University of Technology in Bratislava, Kimitisik, and the University of Ljubljana, School of Economics and Business, the two-week programme offered an inspiring blend of lectures, mentoring, and teamwork in two vibrant European capitals, Bratislava and Ljubljana.

With 25 participants from 13 nationalities, the programme created a diverse, international learning community focused on solving real-world mobility challenges.

Participants worked in interdisciplinary teams on real urban mobility challenges provided by industrial and municipal partners. The curriculum combined academic content, guest lectures, and mentoring, allowing participants to apply their university knowledge in practice.

Students highlighted the high quality of speakers, the variety of topics, and the practical focus of the training:

“The uncertainty and risk lecture was one of the best — very new and engaging.”
“I learned how to make mobility solutions effective, not just theoretical.”
“Communication with real challenge providers helped us understand actual transportation problems.”

The Summer School’s mentoring approach was designed to support each team individually. Mentors were available throughout both weeks to provide feedback, guidance, and help teams refine their solutions.

Students appreciated the openness and accessibility of the mentors:

“Always available and willing to give input.”
“They explained everything thoroughly and guided us step by step.”

At the same time, participants valued constructive feedback and suggested keeping coaching sessions more focused and aligned across mentors, ensuring a consistent direction for all teams.

Beyond lectures and project work, the Summer School was also about community and connection. Participants built friendships, discovered two cities, and exchanged ideas across cultures and disciplines.

“Meeting new people and connecting with students from different backgrounds was the best part.”
“The teamwork, social events, and evening activities made the experience unforgettable.”

Networking, teamwork, and shared learning experiences were repeatedly mentioned as key highlights, confirming that the Summer School is as much about people as it is about ideas.

The programme concluded with final team presentations, where participants pitched innovative solutions to real urban mobility problems. The event demonstrated how quickly ideas can grow when supported by expert mentoring and peer collaboration.

Students developed not only technical and analytical skills but also entrepreneurial thinking, teamwork, and communication confidence.

Feedback from participants and partners confirmed the educational and practical value of the Summer School in preparing the next generation of innovators for the challenges of sustainable mobility.