European Universities alliances: moving to the next level

Higher education institutions play a pivotal role in achieving the European Union’s goal of becoming more competitive. They are decisive when it comes to reinforcing Europe’s strategic autonomy, its resilience and social cohesion, as well as in upholding our democracies and EU values. At the European Commission we are committed to strengthening these institutions, and to guaranteeing academic freedom. Supporting Member States, the Commission works to harness the role of education, research and innovation, enabling people, economies and societies to thrive. Practically, we help make transnational collaboration easier, as we continue building the European Education Area and, in the words of Enrico Letta, realise the Fifth Freedom of the EU’s Single Market.

The recent Union of Skills initiative, which aims to help overcome critical skill gaps, and education challenges, is an example. Investing in knowledge, skills and competences is fundamental in helping Europe strengthen its competitiveness and to navigate through geopolitical turbulence.

Deeper cooperation in higher education is decisive in order to deliver high-end skills and competences. Skills and competences that Europe’s economic strength can capitalise upon. The newly adopted European Degree label, agreed thanks to the great efforts of the Polish Presidency of the Council, is a significant step forward for European higher education. And for future generations of Europeans. It will help Europe become a magnet for talent worldwide.

In addition, the European Universities initiative has become a driving force for the advancement of the entire European higher education sector. The alliances have demonstrated high potential, building knowledge, skills, and competences. They are raising the attractiveness and competitiveness of the higher education sector in Europe, by offering excellent study opportunities across all regions. They contribute to a more balanced brain and talent circulation, and a stronger link between education and research. Stronger ties with local communities and innovation ecosystems have been forged. The initiative has accelerated modernisation, for example advancing the implementation of the Bologna Process tools. But much more remains to be achieved.

More students, academics and researchers need to benefit from the alliances’ activities.  Building on their solid foundations, they can scale-up with more joint programmes, more micro-credentials, more innovative activities. The alliances are now expected to go further and deliver on the Union of Skills objectives, such as supporting the increase of the number of STEM graduates, closing the gender gap in these fields, and further supporting the realisation of the European Degree.

Secondly, the alliances need to continue to act as a driving force for the entire sector. Importantly, we are extending the outreach towards the broader higher education community and institutions which are not already in an alliance.

To scale up the impact and ensure sustainability of the European Universities initiative, continuing support from the Commission, Member States and stakeholders remains crucial. Support from a strengthened Erasmus+ programme will be essential for the alliances.

The Polish Presidency is keeping up the momentum on higher education right until the end of its term, with the organisation of the 3^rd Forum of the European Universities alliances in Wroclaw. This Forum has been a strategic meeting, exchanging on how our common ambition for the alliances can be taken to the next level and achieve even more impact.

Since the launch of the European Universities initiative, we have witnessed a true transformation in the landscape of higher education within Europe, and a shift in the working culture of the higher education institutions. We need to keep up the pace and leverage the progress made for the entire higher education sector.