From November 17 to 21, 2025, 12 PhD candidates from U!REKA European University partner institutions came together at Frankfurt University of Applied Sciences (Frankfurt UAS) for the International PhD Retreat. Hosted by the Center of Expertise Transition to Circular Society, the retreat offered participants from VSB-TUO, Odessa NEU, BNU Sofia, Bari University, Napier University, and Frankfurt UAS a week of intensive training, exchange, and cross-institutional networking.
The program addressed key competencies essential for emerging researchers. Workshops on Scientific Writing, Data Management, COST Actions, and MSCA Fellowships equipped participants with practical knowledge for advancing their academic careers. Entrepreneurship-focused sessions, including Entrepreneurship and How to Pitch, provided insights into communicating research effectively and positioning research ideas within broader societal and innovation-oriented contexts.
A central element of the retreat was the strengthening of international collaboration skills. Throughout the week, participants engaged in activities designed to enhance their networking capabilities, better understand the importance of global cooperation, reflect on their roles within international research teams, and practice presenting their research to non-specialist audiences.

The International PhD Retreat is part of the U!REKA European University CoE Circularity initiative, aimed at supporting young researchers. It is funded by the Hessian Ministry of Higher Education, Research, Science and the Arts (HMWK) through the Hessen Horizon project vernetzt EU2.