The EC2U Alliance actively participated in these vital discussions, which explored the role of international partnerships in shaping the future of higher education in Europe and beyond. The event was divided into three key panels, each addressing a different aspect of internationalisation within the context of European Universities Alliances.
Why Internationalise? Enhancing Europe’s Global Appeal
The first panel addressed the fundamental question of why European Universities Alliances should internationalise their activities. Experts from the field, including Vanessa Debiais-Sainton, Head of Unit for Higher Education at the Directorate-General for Education, Youth, Sport, and Culture (DG EAC), and Carle Bonnafous-Murat from the French Conference of Rectors, delved into the reasons behind the push for global academic and research collaborations. They discussed how international partnerships enhance Europe’s educational appeal, broaden research networks, and create opportunities for shared knowledge and innovation.
For European Universities Alliances, internationalisation is not merely about expanding their global footprint. It’s about creating meaningful connections that enhance the quality of education, research, and innovation. The speakers stressed that these alliances bring unique added value to international cooperation, offering new ways to tackle global challenges, and promote intercultural exchange.
Strengthening Ties with Ukrainian Higher Education
The second panel shifted focus to a timely and crucial topic: strengthening collaboration between Ukrainian higher education institutions and their European counterparts. Against the backdrop of the ongoing war and the hopes for post-war reconstruction, this session highlighted the importance of solidarity and cooperation in helping Ukraine integrate further into the European Higher Education sector.
Christine Fernandez-Maloigne, Vice-Rector for International Affairs at the University of Poitiers, represented EC2U in this discussion. She presented the existing partnership between the University of Lviv in Ukraine and the EC2U Alliance. The panel also highlighted other impactful projects that have emerged as a response to the conflict, with a focus on meeting Ukraine’s current and future needs.
Building Alliances with African Institutions
The final panel session explored a different frontier of internationalisation: the potential for successful collaboration between European and African universities. Speakers from various alliances shared case studies and strategies that demonstrated how partnerships with African institutions can unlock mutual benefits. These alliances provide pathways for capacity building, enhance student and staff mobility, and drive sustainable development in higher education on both continents. The discussions underscored the importance of understanding local contexts and fostering partnerships that are mutually beneficial.
