On February 26 and 27, ENHANCE representatives attended a high-level meeting of the European Universities Alliances hosted by the European Commission. The event brought together leading voices in European higher education and innovation, including:
- Ena Voûte, Chair of the ENHANCE Steering Committee
- Naveed Syed, ENHANCE Secretary General
- Ulrike Hillemann, Director of International Affairs at TU Berlin
- Susanne Ingmansson, ENHANCE Core Officer at Chalmers University of Technology
Day One: Engaging with European Leadership
The first day featured a session with the new European Commissioner, Roxana Mînzatu, who is responsible for Social Rights and Skills, Quality Jobs, and Preparedness. In her meeting with rectors from the European Universities Alliances, discussions centered on reinforcing the role of European universities in driving innovation, competitiveness, and the collective European spirit.
Day Two: Collaborative Discussions and an Inspiring Keynote
The second day brought alliance coordinators and relevant stakeholders together for a series of breakout sessions and robust discussions. The highlight was an inspiring keynote address by Enrico Letta, former Prime Minister of Italy and President of the Jacques Delors Institute. His insights underscored the importance of building a “single market of competencies” by facilitating the free movement of research and innovation—a key step toward renewing Europe’s Single Market.
Key Takeaways
- Driving Innovation: In volatile times, European Universities Alliances serve as key drivers for European innovation, competitiveness, and skills – and, above all, European values in action.
- Sustainable Funding: While questions on sustainable funding remain, streamlined support and enhanced functionality will be crucial.
- Collaborative Spirit: European competitiveness requires a robust collaborative spirit, one that fosters unified efforts and shared achievements.
- Harmonised Recognition: Harmonising our systems of recognition to overcome fragmentation is essential for bolstering competitiveness.
- Enhanced Academic Experiences: Students reported that joint educational offerings have significantly enriched their academic experiences.
- Scaling Best Practices: Alliances have proven their ability to deliver results. The focus now shifts to scaling these best practices and effectively communicating their impact.
This meeting has set a positive tone for future collaborations and initiatives, reaffirming the commitment of European universities to lead and innovate in an ever-changing global landscape. Stay tuned for further updates as ENHANCE continues to drive progress and forge strong partnerships across Europe.
