Unite! news

In October 2023, the Unite! Graduate School of Speech, Language, and AI Technologies secured initial funding through the Unite! Seed Fund, marking a significant milestone as both a Developing Project for Teaching & Learning and an Exploring Project for Research & PhD Rooted in cutting-edge Speech and Language Technologies like Alexa, Siri, ChatGPT, DeepL, and Translation Earbuds, the school pioneered an innovative educational framework seamlessly integrating Master's and PhD programs from the participating partner universities. 

Now, moving into its second phase within the Unite! Seed Fund, the project expands its scope to include all nine partner universities. The primary focus shifts towards the development and enhancement of the PhD-programme, alongside the establishment of a robust Doctoral Network. This phase aims to consolidate and strengthen the school's leadership in advancing research and education at the intersection of Speech, Language, and AI Technologies within the Unite! alliance. 

 We are excited to enhance our focus on PhD-level education across all nine partner universities. Together, we aim to equip our students and researchers to tackle the evolving challenges of AI-driven innovation.

Achievements from the first funding period 

Eight partner universities of the Unite! Alliance have already jump-started the Graduate School in the 1st round of Seed Funding and established the Unite! Speech Language and AI online showcase as the virtual hub for collaboration by presenting more than 20 relevant Master’s programmes and a list of 100 Master-level-courses from the partner universities. 

And there are more achievements from the first funding phase, providing a strong basis for all further developments: 

• All eight partner universities have engaged in developing a joint Master's curriculum. 
• An upcoming summer school, a blended intensive programme, will bring together Master's and PhD students from all partner universities in a co-creation setting to prepare for the seamless transition from joint Master’s studies to joint PhD studies. 
• Over 150 PhD theses are currently supervised by more than 50 faculty members. A platform providing access to the topics, as well as student and advisor websites, has been created within the online showcase. Formal co-tutelle agreements are being considered for new thesis projects. 

Objectives of the second funding phase 

In its second phase, the project aims to build on these accomplishments with a focus on the development and enhancement of the Ph.D. programme and the establishment of a Doctoral Network. The objectives for this phase include: 

• Continuing working on the seamless transition from joint Master's to PhD studies, including intensive Programmes, a PhD student recruitment platform, and co-tutelle agreements.  

• Developing an Industrial Affiliates programme to foster innovation and entrepreneurship within the Graduate School. 

• Developing a collaboration framework for a Doctoral Network in Speech, Language, and AI. 

By advancing these objectives, the Unite! Graduate School of Speech, Language, and AI Technologies aims to consolidate and strengthen its leadership in research and education at the intersection of these critical fields, ultimately preparing students and researchers to meet the challenges and opportunities of the future.