ENHANCE Vice Presidents for Research Meet in Milan to Strengthen Collaboration
On March 20-21, the Vice Presidents for Research from ENHANCE member universities gathered at Politecnico di Milano for a meeting aimed at fostering continued research collaboration within the Alliance. This event marked an important milestone as it followed the conclusion of the ENHANCERIA project (SwafS, Horizon) last September, reinforcing ENHANCE’s commitment to research and innovation.
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The meeting brought together Vice-Rectors for Research and colleagues involved in research initiatives across the Alliance. Discussions centered on evaluating the impact and outcomes of the ENHANCERIA project while exploring ways to build on its achievements. A key focus was on supporting PhD students and young researchers, ensuring that the momentum generated by the project continues to benefit the ENHANCE community. Attendees also provided input on upcoming activities planned within the current ENHANCE+ project, including a new mentoring programme for women in STEAM and an upskilling initiative for PhD supervisors. These initiatives align with ENHANCE’s commitment to fostering diversity, equity, and excellence in research and education.
While education remains at the core of ENHANCE’s mission, the meeting underscored the importance of addressing all four university missions—education, research, innovation, and societal engagement. As an alliance of universities of technology, ENHANCE recognises the interconnectedness of these areas and is dedicated to leveraging its platform for the benefit of researchers. To ensure progress, a dedicated working group will advance the initiatives discussed in Milan, with further developments to be reviewed at the next VP Research meeting in Gdańsk this autumn.
A highlight of the event was a presentation by Susanne Conze, Head of Unit for Higher Education at DG EAC, who introduced the recently launched Union of Skills. She emphasised the critical role university alliances play in advancing this initiative. ENHANCE, with its strong focus on equipping future graduates with essential skills and promoting STEAM education, is well-positioned to contribute. Through currently running ENHANCE outreach activities—such as working with schools to encourage STEAM studies—the Alliance is committed to fostering a diverse future student body capable of tackling societal challenges.
The ENHANCE community extends its sincere appreciation to our colleagues at Politecnico di Milano for their excellent organisation and warm hospitality during this successful meeting. With a positive outlook on future collaboration, we look forward to further strengthening our research partnerships and advancing our shared mission within the Alliance.
