4EU+: Europe as a Driving Force for a Brighter Future was the theme of this year’s 4EU+ Alliance Annual Meeting, held on 28th–30th October at Université Paris-Panthéon-Assas. The event brought together nearly 300 representatives of the academic communities of the Alliance’s eight partner universities. The meeting provided an opportunity to review the 4EU+ activities, including the implementation of the 1CORE project, and to discuss the future development of cooperation and the Alliance’s plans, including the upcoming 4EU+ FUTURE project.
The 4EU+ Alliance brings together eight research universities working jointly to create one comprehensive, research-intensive European university. In addition to the University of Warsaw, the consortium includes Charles University in Prague (Czech Republic), Heidelberg University (Germany), Paris-Panthéon-Assas University (France), Sorbonne University (France), the University of Copenhagen (Denmark), the University of Milan (Italy), and the University of Geneva (Switzerland).
Inter-university cooperation focuses on developing a common educational framework and innovative teaching programmes, conducting scientific research through multidisciplinary academic teams, and pursuing initiatives related to innovation, technology transfer, and the social responsibility of universities. The partner universities are also working to integrate their digital systems and solutions in order to create a single, shared international campus.
The Meeting in Paris
Every year, the Alliance holds a large-scale Annual Meeting at a different partner university. The event provides an opportunity to review its activities and discuss future plans. This year’s edition was organised by Université Paris-Panthéon-Assas.
The University of Warsaw was represented by a delegation of nearly 30 members, headed by the University’s Vice-Rectors: Prof. Sambor Grucza, Vice-Rector for Cooperation and Human Resources; Prof. Maciej Raś, Vice-Rector for Student Affairs and Quality of Teaching; and Prof. Zygmunt Lalak, Vice-Rector for Research.
The three-day meeting included sessions and discussions involving representatives of various 4EU+ Alliance bodies, including the Management Committee, Academic Council, Student Committee and working groups responsible for communication, mobility, education and research. Researchers involved in the four 4EU+ Flagships also took part in the event.
Discussions focused on initiatives carried out as part of the 1CORE project, which is coming to an end, as well as other topics, including engagement across the 4EU+ community, the future of research and micro-credentials. Artificial intelligence was also among the topics discussed – Roundtable: Shaping AI – Opportunities and Challenges for Students and Academics. Another session focused on the European Degree.
In accordance with the Alliance’s rotation principle, its presidency is held for a one-year term. During the meeting in Paris, the 4EU+ presidency was officially handed over to Université Paris-Panthéon-Assas.
During this year’s 4EU+ Student Committee meeting, Julian Affree, a student of the University of Warsaw’s Faculty of Law and Administration and Vice-Chair of the International Cooperation Committee within the UW Students’ Union Board, was elected Vice-Chair of the 4EU+ Student Committee.
