On 4 November 2020, the future of the European Universities’ Initiative was discussed at the highest level by all Vice-Chancellors of the 41 European University Alliances, the Directors General of the European Higher Education Ministries, and the European Commission. Prof. Paulo Ferreira, Rector of the University of Aveiro, was the Lead Speaker during the day. ECIU University has high ambitions for the next phase of the European Universities’ Initiative.
Being on track with setting up Europe’s first challenge-based European university, ECIU University was invited as a Lead Speaker at this high-level meeting. Prof. Paulo Ferreira, Rector of the University of Aveiro, shared lessons learnt from the first year of working towards the ECIU University. He spoke about the European Universities Initiative as a fundamental process towards setting up a true European University and about the importance of acting beyond the project proposal in order to implement a long-term vision.
Only last week, ECIU University took the next step, adopting a Vision for 2030. It sets the scene for ECIU University in 2030, as a European university without degrees. Research-based micro-credentials, offered throughout Europe, are the core of personalised skills and competence development, creating resilient European citizens with an entrepreneurial mindset.
At the meeting, ECIU University was very clear in its expectations from the European Commission and the Member States. ECIU University is moving and it is moving fast. We are setting up European structures, recruiting lifelong learners and academics, and realising innovative education at a European scale. The European Commission and the Member States must echo our pro-active leadership. Commitment in itself is not enough. Therefore, this meeting needs a follow-up both at national and European levels. In order to realise our ambitions, we must maintain a permanent mode of co-creation with European and national policymakers.
The ECIU University is part of the European Universities’ Initiative that is piloted in 2019-2022 by European Commission. This initiative brings together universities to address societal challenges, test different education models and examine their potential to transform higher education.