EUNICE continues to strengthen its global presence, welcoming the Federal University of Viçosa (Brazil) as its new Associated Partner.
Recognizing the importance of expanding the alliance’s international network, the General Assembly has focused on defining a strategy to enhance global cooperation, culminating in the addition of this new associated partner.
Organized by the University of the Peloponnese, the General Assembly was held from 13 to 16 October, in Kalamata, Greece. This event has brought together Rectors, Vice-Rectors, members of the EUNICE Board of Directors, the AISBL (EUNICE legal entity), the EUNICE Student Advisory Board (ESAB) and various working groups with a focus on project management, academic offering, research collaboration and the enhancement of international courses and activities.
Over three days of productive discussions, partners have worked to continue deepening cooperation and establishing sustainable structures to support the alliance’s long-term development.
A key outcome of the Assembly has been the approval of the Joint Open Lab (JOL) Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) by the Board of Directors. This agreement will facilitate the harmonization of equipment and infrastructure access across all EUNICE partner institutions, laying the foundation for a shared research ecosystem within the alliance’s network. With the establishment of the JOL regulations, EUNICE has become one of the eight European University Alliances to attain this level of collaborative integration.
Alongside these developments, the Vice-Rectors for Research sessions have highligthed the need to further strengthen research collaboration across EUNICE universities. Discussions pivoted around mapping common research areas, identifying strategic synergies and exploring opportunities for developing joint projects. To support these efforts, a Research Support Task Force has been established, comprising a member from each partner university and chaired by Prof. Cristina Santriano (University of Catania). This group will provide targeted administrative and coordination support to foster joint research activities across the alliance.
Commenting on the Assembly, the Rector of the University of the Peloponnese and host of the event, Prof. Athanassios Katsis remarked:
“It was a very constructive General Assembly. EUNICE is growing stronger with plenty of initiatives for education and research for all members of the academic communities of the ten partner universities. This was a great opportunity to meet and develop our common strategy as well as work towards our goals in the presence of both Greek and EU officials”.
