From 25 to 27 September 2024, representatives of 4EU+ – one of Europe’s leading alliances consisting of eight prestigious universities, gathered at the University of Warsaw. A large delegation from Charles University, led by Rector Milena Králíčková, participated in the annual meeting, centred on the theme “Digital 4EU+: Education – Research – Cooperation.” The alliance has existed since 2018.
During the three-day 4EU+ 2024 Annual Meeting, speakers emphasised that participation in the 4EU+ Alliance allowed member universities – incl. their students and academics – to grow not only in a local context but also on a European or global scale. The alliance represents steady, on-going progress in innovation and provides a foundation to meet the needs of a wide range of university communities. Cooperation between prestigious European universities, such as those in 4EU+, fosters new joint educational initiatives: it serves as a gateway to significant European projects for both students and the academic community, while providing a substantial boost for individual professional development.
Building on existing strengths, improving know-how & cooperation and always looking forward: university reps gather for annual alliance meeting.
International and interdisciplinary
“I am extremely pleased that the 4EU+ Alliance is expanding the range of activities for all our students and staff, which we publish on the 4EU+ websites, including the student portal. The annual conference once again demonstrated the benefits of close interaction between alliance partners and the importance of international and interdisciplinary collaboration with five universities in 4EU+ who are also members of the prestigious League of European Research Universities (LERU),” Milena Králíčková confirmed.
Collaboration within the 4EU+ Alliance brings joint innovative educational offerings, fosters the creation of joint inter-university and multidisciplinary research teams, and includes initiatives aimed at technology transfer, while also playing an important role in social responsibility. In-person meetings, with the opportunity for consultation and the sharing of experiences, were once again regarded by participants in Warsaw as an invaluable benefit of the conference.
“The Annual Meeting is a yearly opportunity for me to meet colleagues from 4EU+, reflect on what we’ve accomplished in the past year, and see how we’ve advanced together in science, research, and education. This year, I particularly enjoyed the presentations from the individual flagships, which focused on digital skills, and the highly constructive meeting of Vice-Rectors for Research, where we discussed priorities for the coming year,” Adéla Jiroudková, the head of the Science and Research Department at Charles University, surmised.
Next meeting to be in Geneva
Charles University was represented in Warsaw by flagship delegates from various faculties, members of the universitymanagement, and working groups from the Alliance.
In November 2020, Charles University hosted the traditional annual conference, which – due to the COVID-19 pandemic – was held online. This year’s annual meeting, hosted by the University of Warsaw, and its presidency followed on from last year’s event held in Milan, at the Università degli Studi di Milano. In 2025, the members of the 4EU+ Alliance will meet in Geneva, at the University of Geneva.
The 4EU+ European University Alliance is a transnational strategic partnership of universities with a shared vision: to create a comprehensive European research-intensive university through new levels of collaboration in teaching, education, research, and administration.
The 4EU+ European University Alliance is a transnational strategic partnership of universities with a shared vision: to create a comprehensive European research-intensive university through new levels of collaboration in teaching, education, research, and administration.
► For students, the alliance offers a range of academic, scientific, and extracurricular opportunities, with new shared online courses and summer schools announced each semester / more info here
► For academics, it offers opportunities to establish new international collaborations on educational and research projects, with courses and the possibility of visiting partner universities / more info here
