The 10-university alliance strengthens ties with external associated partners during its latest General Assembly and advances the proposal for its next project phase
EUNICE defined specific steps for its next phase during its General Assembly, held on 18 and 19 May at Poznań University of Technology, in Poland. Higher representatives, staff and students from the ten EUNICE universities, together with external universities recognised as EUNICE academic associated partners, as well as members of the Expert Advisory Board and the Student Advisory Board, gathered to shape EUNICE’s direction as it is about to enter a new chapter.
This event served as the first face-to‑face meeting between EUNICE and its academic associated partners, giving each university the opportunity to present their strengths, ongoing projects and areas of knowledge to deepen cooperation. The EUNICE alliance also began to shape a framework to offer associated partners’ courses to all EUNICE students — a process already under way with the Medical University of Białystok, Poland, with whom joint initiatives are already running.
International expansion was further reinforced through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with the Federal University of Viçosa (UFV) in Brazil.
“The signing of the agreement with UFV marks another important step in strengthening the international dimension of EUNICE. It reflects our ambition to position the alliance not only as a driver of European higher education integration, but also as a globally connected academic ecosystem open to strategic cooperation beyond Europe,” stated the Secretary General of EUNICE AISBL, Dr. Magdalena Sikorska.
The Brazilian university has already proposed several courses for EUNICE students for the next academic year, and a delegation from the EUNICE alliance will travel to Viçosa to seek collaborations opportunities in education and research.
Beyond this global expansion, the EUNICE General Assembly was deeply focused on the next call of the European Universities Initiative, expected next year. This upcoming call will determine the continuation of EUNICE beyond 2027, making it one of the alliance’s most strategic priorities. A thorough assessment of the ongoing work on the proposal took place in Poznań, where representatives of the different EUNICE universities discussed the alliance’s long‑term vision, governance model and academic strategy.
“The discussions in Poznań clearly showed that EUNICE enters the next phase as a mature and ambitious alliance, ready to further strengthen its governance, academic integration and long-term strategic impact within the European Higher Education landscape,” added the Secretary General.
The alliance’s Expert Advisory Board and Student Advisory Board also gathered during the General Assembly, and contributed with their expertise to shape EUNICE’s future policies and long-term strategic direction.
As the alliance looks ahead to the next European Universities Initiative call, this General Assembly in Poznań made clear that EUNICE enters this new phase “stronger and more connected than ever,” concluded Dr. Magdalena Sikorska.
