Looking Back: Putting It into Practice – Spreading Innovative Results from European Universities Alliances
On 20–22 October 2025, around 180 participants from across Europe came together for the conference “European Universities alliances as role models – Putting it into practice: Spreading innovative results from European Universities alliances to other higher education institutions.”
Organised by NA DAAD in cooperation with the National Agencies of Austria (OeAD), Hungary (Tempus Public Foundation) and Norway (HK-dir), the event offered a vibrant platform for exchange, inspiration and collaboration between universities involved in the European Universities Initiative (EUI) and those not part of an alliance.
From the Few to the Many
How can the innovative results of the European Universities alliances benefit the wider higher education sector? This was the focus of the opening panel “From the few to the many.” Speakers emphasised the importance of openness and transparency in spreading innovation. One alliance representative put it succinctly:
“We do our best to stay an open alliance. The most important question is: are you open-minded? Not: Are you in or out?”
Another underlined that sharing both successes and challenges gives a “full picture to learn.”
Ioana Dewandeler, from the European Commission’s DG Education and Culture, highlighted the transformational potential of the European Universities Initiative and its growing impact well beyond the alliances themselves.
Exchange, Inspiration and Good Practices
A range of interactive workshops gave participants the chance to dive deeper into good practices, transferable results and lessons learned from the alliances.
Topics included:
- mobility
- micro-credentials
- skills development
- digitalisation
- joint educational offers and
- innovative teaching
A bar camp session invited open discussions on themes such as student engagement, artistic skills for innovation, recognition of mobility and micro-credentials.
During a poster gallery walk, alliances showcased activities and results ready to be transferred to other higher education institutions.
These interactive formats created space for networking and hands-on exchange between alliances and universities outside the EUI.
European Universities Alliances – Quo Vadis?
In his keynote “European Universities Alliances – Quo Vadis?”, Bjørn Stensaker reflected on the future direction of the initiative.
He stressed the need for sustained institutional commitment and strategic focus of higher education institutions towards internationalisation, regardless whether they are engaged in an alliance or not. At the same time, he underlined the need for alliances to remain inclusive laboratories for innovation that strengthen the entire European Higher Education Area.
Survey Insights: European Universities Alliances as Role Models
The conference also featured the presentation of the Europe-wide survey ‘European Universities Alliances as Role Models’, conducted by the four organising National Agencies.
The study explores the needs and expectations of higher education institutions not involved in an alliance.
Its findings will help guide future support and cooperation within the European higher education community.
Read the survey (PDF)
A Milestone for the “SPREAD EUI” Project
The event marked an important milestone in the “SPREAD EUI” Long-Term Activity (LTA) – a joint initiative by the National Agencies of Austria, Hungary, Norway and Germany.
The project supports alliances as role models and promotes the transfer of their experiences to benefit higher education institutions across Europe.
Ahead of the conference, a preparatory meeting on 20 October brought together 25 National Agency representatives to discuss national developments in the EUI and their roles as facilitators connecting alliances with other universities.
Background and further Information
More information on the 65 EU-funded European Universities alliances and their contribution to the European Higher Education Area can be found on the European Commission website and in the Report on the ‘Outcomes and Transformational Potential of the European Universities Initiative’.
Read more
Coming soon: Presentations, summaries and a photo gallery from the event.
| Date | 20.10.2025 - 22.10.2025 | |
| Time | 17.30 begin | 15.30 end |
| Place | Bonn | |
| Address | Maritim Hotel Bonn, Godesberger Allee, 53175 Bonn | |
| Target groups | Higher education institutions involved and not involved in European Universities alliances, National Agencies representatives, European stakeholder organisations; National Authorities, European Commission and Executive Agency EACEA | |
| Programme | to the program | |
