On 27 February 2025, over 400 stakeholders from across European University Alliances convened in Brussels for the high-level meeting, "Shaping the Future – European Universities Alliances for a Competitive Europe," hosted by the Directorate-General for Education, Culture, Youth, and Sport. The University of Malta is a part of the European University of the Seas (), one of the 65 European Universities' alliances.
The event brought together key figures from across Europe to address the challenges and opportunities facing the European University Alliances, with a focus on ensuring their long-term sustainability, consolidation, and future impact. The goal was clear: to shape Europe into the leading destination for education, research, and innovation, driving a more competitive and integrated European Higher Education Area (EHEA).
The SEA-EU was prominently represented at the meeting by Marcela Iglesias, Vice-Rector for Internationalisation at the University of Cádiz and General Coordinator of SEA-EU, along with other key SEA-EU representatives including Fernando Pérez - General Director of the SEA-EU, Ralph Schneider - Vice President of the University of Kiel, Gabriele Sampagnaro - Rector's Delegate for SEA-EU at the University of Naples Parthenope. The University of Malta was represented by - Senior Manager in the SEA-EU Office.
A pivotal theme of the meeting was the long-term sustainability of the alliances. With 14 alliances now holding legal status, they are positioned to build stronger, more cohesive structures. The SEA-EU Alliance is still working towards acquiring this status. The legal recognition is key for securing stable funding and ensuring that the alliances continue to thrive beyond the current European Commission funding cycle, which ends in 2027.
The legal status of alliances, while an important topic, was not the only area covered at this meeting. Below are summaries of the key discussions that took place in Brussels.
Fostering Future Skills and Innovation through Alliances:
One of the primary discussions revolved around the development of future-proof skills, bridging the gap between education, research, and innovation. European university alliances, such as SEA-EU, offer a unique opportunity to break down institutional barriers and create dynamic, transnational environments for learning and innovation. By working together, universities can equip citizens with the skills, knowledge, and competencies necessary for the challenges of tomorrow, addressing both labour market needs and societal goals.
Engaging Academic Communities and Administrative Staff:
Another important discussion focused on the involvement of academic communities in the alliance journey. As emphasised by Piet Van Hove, Secretary-General of the HEROES Alliance, fostering inclusive collaboration across various university departments requires creating flexible formats that cater to a broad range of institutional stakeholders. By addressing communication barriers and providing professional development opportunities for academic and administrative staff, alliances can ensure deep and meaningful engagement at all levels.
The importance of administrative staff was highlighted as essential to the success of the alliances. Efforts to empower this group by offering more opportunities for professional development and involvement in alliance activities were emphasised, with the recognition that administrative engagement is a key driver of the long-term success of these partnerships.
Towards a European Degree: Potential and Challenges:
A significant point of discussion was the potential creation of a European degree. While still in the early stages, this concept has garnered significant interest as a way to offer students joint programmes across multiple institutions, providing them with a broader educational experience and increased mobility. However, there are still many questions regarding its implementation, regulatory frameworks, and potential benefits. Stakeholders within the higher education sector, including policymakers and academic institutions, must work together to address these challenges and ensure the initiative’s success.
Building Talent Circulation Across Europe:
The circulation of talent - rather than merely attracting it - was another key topic. The meeting acknowledged the role of European universities in facilitating the free movement of talent across borders, creating pathways for students, researchers, and professionals to move seamlessly within Europe and beyond. This approach would enhance Europe’s global competitiveness by fostering stronger international cooperation and enabling return mobility for talented individuals.
Sustainable Investment and Streamlined Monitoring:
Sustainable investment in European university alliances was a recurrent theme. The complexity of the current funding landscape was discussed, with calls for a more coordinated and streamlined funding process to ensure a level playing field across member states. Furthermore, the importance of creating a unified and flexible monitoring framework for the alliances was highlighted. Such a framework would reduce administrative burdens, improve efficiency, and provide meaningful insights into the impact of the alliances.
As the European Universities Initiative continues to evolve, SEA-EU remains committed to shaping the future of higher education in Europe. With its active involvement in discussions on sustainability, innovation, and talent mobility, SEA-EU is at the forefront of efforts to create a more integrated, inclusive, and sustainable higher education landscape. By fostering collaboration among its partner universities, SEA-EU is playing a crucial role in advancing the goals of the European Universities Initiative, ensuring that universities can continue to serve as powerful drivers of education, research, and societal impact.
