Connected learning communities : a model for transnational education

This article reports on the first results of the educational model piloted in EUTOPIA, a transnational university alliance established under the European University initiative. We discuss the theoretical underpinnings and core principles of our model which seeks to enable students, academics and societal partners to form Connected Learning Communities (CLCs) through enhancing existing learning activities and practices in teaching and learning. We elaborate on the value added of our model for developing a diverse portfolio of activities and a dynamic structure that has the potential to offer international learning opportunities to large and diverse group of students, academic staff and societal partners. We close the article with recommendations for the results of European University Alliance pilots to reach their full innovation potential