Ten students from EMUNI University participated in the first EUNICoast Student Festival – “Waves of Change”, held from 21 to 25 September 2026 at the University of Sassari in Sardinia, Italy.
The festival brought together more than 100 students from EUNICoast partner universities for five days of learning, collaboration, cultural exchange and networking. The programme combined educational sessions, practical activities and cultural experiences, encouraging students to explore European values while working together on challenges facing coastal and island communities.
A central part of the festival was a series of interdisciplinary hackathons focusing on four themes: Heritage and Waves, exploring cultural identity and coastal innovation; Blue Code, addressing marine ecosystem solutions; Many Voices, One Coast, centred on multilingualism and inclusion; and Tech4Good, exploring digital tools for coastal communities. Students worked in international and interdisciplinary teams to develop practical ideas and presented their results at the festival’s closing ceremony.
For the 10 participating EMUNI students, the festival provided an opportunity to meet peers from across Europe, exchange perspectives, strengthen intercultural and teamwork skills, and experience the European University Alliance in practice. Their participation was supported through Erasmus+ mobility.
Reflecting on the experience, EMUNI student Muhibullah Samedi described the festival as “a wonderful and unforgettable experience”, highlighting the opportunity to meet students from different countries and cultures, exchange ideas and establish new connections. He also emphasised the value of working alongside students from different universities during the hackathon and experiencing the culture of Sardinia and Sassari.
EMUNI student Houssem Beji, who participated in the “Heritage and Waves – Cultural Innovation for Sustainable Maritime Areas” hackathon, also highlighted the benefits of international collaboration. Working in an international team helped him strengthen his teamwork, communication and problem-solving skills while learning more about cultural heritage and sustainability in coastal communities. He particularly enjoyed discovering Sardinia’s cultural and historical heritage, describing the festival as “a valuable experience both academically and personally” that gave him new international connections and perspectives.
Beyond the academic programme, participants took part in cultural and social activities designed to promote a shared European identity, inclusion, cooperation, sustainability, equality and intercultural dialogue.
EMUNI is proud of its students for representing the University within the EUNICoast – European University of Islands, Ports and Coastal Territories community and for actively contributing to an initiative that strengthens connections among students and universities across Europe.
The Student Festival is planned as a yearly EUNICoast initiative, making the Sassari gathering the first chapter of a new tradition of student collaboration and exchange across the Alliance.
