SPARK, Sustainable Performance Training for Future Engineers: Integrating Wellbeing, Simulation and Collaborative Innovation is an international educational initiative jointly organized by Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (UPM, Spain), POLITEHNICA Bucharest (Romania), and Istanbul Technical University (Turkey). Open to students from all universities within the EELISA alliance, the program offers a unique opportunity to explore the intersection of human resource management, digital manufacturing, and innovation through an international and collaborative learning experience.

The program is designed as a three-phase educational journey that gradually guides participants from foundational concepts to practical application:

 – October 2026 – BALANCE – Building a Lifestyle and Networking Campus Engagement Workshop: This first phase consists of a fully online workshop focused on the effective management of human resources. Students will examine the role of people within organisations and learn how human performance, collaboration, and leadership contribute to organisational success.

–  February 2027 – SPARK: Virtual Manufacturing & Design Challenge: The second phase, scheduled for February 2027, is another fully online workshop dedicated to the fundamentals of digital design and manufacturing. This stage emphasises active participation and international teamwork, combining synchronous sessions with asynchronous group activities. Through collaborative projects, participants will gain a deeper understanding of contemporary manufacturing processes and digital design methodologies while working alongside peers from different cultural and academic backgrounds.

– March 2027 – SPARK: Onsite Manufacturing & Pit-Stop Challenge: The SPARK journey ends in Madrid, with an On-site Lab experience. During this final phase, students will investigate how advanced manufacturing systems evolve when human performance is considered a critical design variable. By integrating technical innovation with human-centred approaches, participants will explore how the interaction between people, technology, and production systems can enhance efficiency, adaptability, and overall performance.

Participation 

Completion of all phases will be required and will be a criterion for selection regarding travel and accommodation coverage.

WHEN

29 October 2026 to 30 March 2027

WHERE

Online on October 29, 2026 and February 2027

Onsite on March 2027 in Madrid

APPLICATION

IMPORTANT NOTE: in order to enroll on this activity you have to sign up via Digital Campus AND fill the Goolgle Form below.

Application deadline is different for each activity. Please revise deadlines.