EUNICE Secretary General: Steering European Higher Education’s Future
EUNICE European University has appointed Magdalena Sikorska as Secretary General of the alliance. The role of Secretary General is poised to be a driving force in reshaping European higher education and research. This position is instrumental in orchestrating a harmonious and integrated alliance, focused on tackling global challenges and fostering European values and leadership.
The Secretary General’s Pivotal Role
The Secretary General at EUNICE AISBL is the cornerstone of the organization’s governance and management. This multifaceted role encompasses a range of responsibilities that pivot on efficient operation, facilitation, and collaboration among alliance members for the advancement of European education and research and for the sustainable future of EUNICE, the European University.
The Secretary General will oversee four key areas:
- Operational Management of AISBL and Support to the Board of Directors.
- Steer Decision-Making in EUNICE.
- Mediation and Legal Expertise.
- External Communication, Networking, and Promotion of EUNICE.
Magdalena Sikorska: A Natural Choice for the Role
Magdalena Sikorska, the newly appointed Secretary General of EUNICE, holds a rich professional background spanning 15 years, Mrs Sikorska has managed and coordinated various teams in higher education, with a strong focus on internationalization.
Having served as the Head of the European University Office at Poznan University of Technology (PUT), the coordinating institution for EUNICE, since February 2022, Sikorska has been at the heart of the EUNICE project’s planning, coordination, and monitoring across all partner institutions. She actively contributed to the design and success of the organization’s grant proposals, including the REUNICE project under H2020.
Magdalena Sikorska is an active member of the FOREU2 Global Forum and Alliance Coordination groups, demonstrating her commitment to international collaboration.
With a degree in linguistics with majors in English and Spanish from Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznan, she´s currently pursuing her PhD in management and quality sciences. Her research focuses on collaborative strategies for consolidating higher education institutions within European Universities Initiative (EUI) Alliances, exploring structural dynamics, governance models, inclusivity, integration processes, and partner selection.
Sikorska, has expressed her enthusiasm: “I am absolutely thrilled to step into my new role as the Secretary General of EUNICE. The position presents a remarkable opportunity for me to leverage my understanding of EUNICE internal workings and procedures, along with my extensive background in European project management. I am fully committed to utilizing these capabilities to drive the development and growth of EUNICE European University in the days ahead.”
New objectives from 2023
November will see the start of the second phase of EUNICE, the European University for Customised Education, which has secured European funding of 14 million euros (Erasmus+ Programme) to fulfil its mission. Founded in 2020, EUNICE alliance currently consists of ten universities with campuses across ten European countries, responsible for the education of 150,000 students. Its potential is summarised in 60 faculties and university schools in which they work, 15,000 professors and administrative staff, a knowledge encompassed in more than 280,000 scientific publications.
