Future Networks Academy

<< Background >>The project was born from a shared observation: future networks, and in particular 5G, are the backbone of the digital revolution. Their deployment opens major perspectives for industry, healthcare, agriculture, and energy, but also raises critical questions regarding security, European sovereignty, and citizens’ trust.Training opportunities on 5G remained limited in higher education and were almost absent for other groups (policy makers, businesses, civil society, youth). The spread of misinformation (e.g. rumours linking 5G and COVID-19) highlighted the urgent need for reliable and pedagogical communication.The Future Networks Academy responded to these needs by: strengthening the skills of students, researchers, and teachers; supporting European innovation and competitiveness; raising awareness among policy makers for better regulation; and involving civil society and younger generations.These objectives are fully aligned with the European Digital Education Action Plan (2021–2027), to which the project provided a concrete response through a structured and innovative offer of training and outreach activities, accessible to a wide diversity of audiences.<< Objectives >>The project aimed to strengthen European skills on 5G and future networks by developing an innovative training offer adapted to diverse audiences: students, researchers, teachers, policy makers, professionals, and youth.The ambition was to establish a structured set of training opportunities, enabling learners to valorise their achievements and ensuring overall coherence through coordination among partners. This offer relied on a variety of formats: seminars, intensive courses, hackathons, practical exercises, MOOCs, and workshops. It was based on active pedagogy (“learning by challenge”) and the complementarity of the partners.The project was structured around four European challenges: 5G for a competitive industry, 5G for a sovereign Europe, 5G for innovators, and Trust in 5G.The expected results included the creation of four thematic training pathways, the organisation of emblematic events (e.g. the Drone Grand Prix), awareness-raising for the general public, and above all the long-term strengthening of the capacity of partner universities to jointly offer a common training portfolio on future networks.<< Implementation >>In WP2, a European survey was developed and disseminated, complemented by an analysis of existing training offers on 5G. This work led to the creation of a Toolkit designed to guide the development of future educational activities.WP3 formed the core of the project with the implementation of 22 training activities across four thematic pathways (competitive industry, sovereign Europe, innovation, trust). These activities took various forms: seminars, intensive courses, a hackathon, Tech Camp, MOOC, workshops for high school students, and cybersecurity exercises. They mobilised teachers, researchers, students, and industry experts around innovative pedagogical approaches, including “learning by challenge.”Finally, WP4 focused on raising awareness among the general public, with the flagship event being the Drone Grand Prix 5G, which combined a drone race, thematic exhibitions, and interactive workshops, alongside communication and dissemination actions via the website, social media, and the press.<< Results >>The project delivered several major achievements.In WP2, the Toolkit was produced and published in the Knowledge Hub, providing a reusable guide for the academic community to develop training on 5G.In WP3, four thematic pathways were designed and implemented through 22 training activities, involving around 1,200 participants (students, PhD candidates, researchers, policy makers, industry representatives, youth). These trainings led to the award of certificates and digital badges, recognising the skills acquired.In WP4, the Drone Grand Prix 5G was organised with the participation of six schools from the region as well as many students and PhD candidates from partner institutions. The event benefited from extensive media coverage (regional and national press, BFM Business, and a professional video with nearly 900 online views).Beyond these deliverables, the project strengthened the long-term capacity of partner universities to jointly deliver a coordinated training offer on future networks, expanded the audiences reached, and contributed to raising awareness in society of the strategic challenges of 5G and beyond.