To mark Europe Day 2024, ATHENA and the University of Siegen, in collaboration with eight other universities from the German federal state of North Rhine-Westphalia, hosted the event “European University alliances – Opportunities for North Rhine-Westphalia” on 15 May 2024. Held at the Haus der Universität in Düsseldorf, the event aimed to highlight the innovative partnerships formed by European University alliances and their potential benefits for the region.
The event was part of the German Academic Exchange Service’s (DAAD) “Week of European Universities” and was held under the patronage of Ina Brandes, Minister for Culture and Science of North Rhine-Westphalia.
Prof. Dr Anja Steinbeck, Rector of Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, and Tine Delva, Deputy Head of Unit of the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Education, Youth, Sport and Culture, delivered the opening addresses. Delva reaffirmed the European Commission’s strong and long-term support for the European University alliances and emphasised their immense importance. This sentiment was echoed by Prof. Dr Beatrix Busse, Vice-Rector for Teaching and Studies at the University of Cologne and EUniWell Chief Development Officer, who explained in her keynote speech how the alliances shape the future of North Rhine-Westphalia as a centre of education.
Two lively panel discussions
A subsequent panel discussion featured representatives from the university management of the universities in North Rhine-Westphalia, along with Dr Klaus Birk from the DAAD. They debated what successful cooperation between the alliances could look like, highlighting the need for clear planning for financial support and strategic development to ensure the sustainability and success of the alliances. Calls were made for further support at state and federal levels to overcome bureaucratic hurdles and foster innovation.
A second panel discussion gave student representatives of the alliances the opportunity to share their wishes and needs. ATHENA was represented in this discussion by Prof. Dr Petra Vogel, Vice-Rector for Students and Junior Faculty, Diversity and International Affairs at the University of Siegen. Students expressed their appreciation for the sense of community within the alliances and the professional and cultural exchange across national borders. However, they also noted that the work of the alliances is often not sufficiently visible. They called for more intensive involvement of students in the alliances’ governance structures and a stronger identification with the alliance across all status groups. Furthermore, they pointed out significant differences between departments and faculties and demanded unified mechanisms for mobility and recognition.
Afterwards, guests had the opportunity to network at a culinary reception and discuss current and future topics of the alliances. Moreover, all alliances presented themselves at a “Market of Opportunities”, inviting visitors to learn about their focus areas and activities.
Participation of nine European University alliances
In addition to the University of Siegen, eight other universities from North Rhine-Westphalia contributed to the successful event: Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf (UNIVERSEH), Paderborn University (COLOURS), RWTH Aachen University (ENHANCE), the Ruhr University Bochum (UNIC), the University of Bonn (NeurotechEU), the University of Cologne (EUniWell), the University of Duisburg-Essen (Aurora), and the University of Münster (Ulysseus). Together, the nine universities already look forward to intensifying their exchange and cooperation in the future.
