The INVEST European University alliance was actively represented at the GELYDA 2025 Conference – The Science and Practice of Extended Learning, Youth Development and Wellbeing, held in Reykjavík, Iceland, from June 11 to 13, 2025. The GELYDA conference brings together researchers and practitioners focusing on extended education, youth development, well-being, and innovative learning environments that go beyond formal education settings.
Two key presentations highlighted INVEST’s contribution to this international forum:
- The EDUC8EU System: INVEST showcased its AI-powered academic advising platform, EDUC8EU, which supports lifelong learners by offering highly personalized guidance, helping adult learners and university students align their studies with career pathways. The system’s empirical results demonstrate its potential to reduce learner uncertainty, increase confidence, and empower individuals in managing their lifelong learning trajectories – directly addressing the extended learning challenges discussed at GELYDA. Presenter: Dr. Omiros Iatrellis
- Generative AI and Pedagogical Innovation: A second presentation explored how educators across INVEST partner universities are adopting generative AI tools (such as ChatGPT and Gemini) to enhance student engagement, personalize learning, and streamline academic workflows. The findings highlighted both the opportunities and challenges of AI integration, offering valuable insights into how AI technologies can complement extended education approaches, promote youth development, and foster student well-being. Presenter: Prof. Nicholas Samaras
The synergy between these two INVEST research efforts demonstrates the alliance’s commitment to developing innovative pedagogical models that leverage AI while supporting personalized learning pathways across formal, informal, and lifelong learning contexts.
