European Universities Initiative - Building the universities of the future

On Thursday 7th November 2019, the CIVIS Alliance attended the kick-off event of the European Universities initiative organised by the European Commission in Brussels.

On this occasion, Rectors, Vice-Rectors, Presidents, Vice-Presidents and project leaders of the partner universities came together to work and discuss the way forward for the future of the European University initiative.

Themis Christophidou, Director-General for Education, Youth, Sport and Culture of the European Commission opened the event with a powerful speech in front of over 800 education enthusiasts.

“European universities will make learning accessible for all, will be fit for the digital era, will share common EU values and serve society and people’s wellbeing. Let’s learn together, let’s innovate together.”

Policy makers, representatives of the 17 European Universities, students and academics explored the opportunities given by the European University Initiative.

During this event, Professor Astrid Söderbergh Widding, President of Stockholm University represented the CIVIS Alliance and shared CIVIS’ vision on the University of the Future: stressing on the need to tackle global challenges at local, European and global levels through a strong collaboration between the partner universities and stakeholders from our cities, territories, and from the African and Mediterranean regions.

Finnish Minister for Culture and Science, Hanna Kosonen closed the event with inspiring remarks:

“Our goals must be ambitious, but also inclusive. They must address our shared challenges and our diverse national realities. We must ensure ownership by all.”