EUniWell principals, management and partners united for wellbeing in uncertain times
On 5-7 May, the Rectors and Vice-Rectors of the EUniWell European Universities met in Santiago de Compostela, Spain, for a Rectors' Meeting. This was accompanied by a meeting with EUniWell´s associated partners.
Against the backdrop of current geopolitical challenges, the event brought together university leaders, student representatives and community stakeholders to strengthen co-operation, explore shared values and chart a common European course for the future. The theme of the days was Wellbeing and the Union of Skills- Co-creating Resilient Futures.
To foster the relationship between universities and their respective communities and find new collaborations, the first EUniWell Partner Meeting was held with 16 partners. Initiatives and collaborations are already underway within the alliance in areas such as health, digital solutions and ageing. Representatives from Kalmar and Växjö municipalities participated in the partner meeting. For Kalmar, the municipal councillor Erik Ciardi participated and Växjö was represented by Maria Garmer, 1st vice chair of the municipal board. Elin Lindkvist, Linnaeus University´s contact person for EUniWell's work with civic engagement and knowledge transfer, was present and tells:
- Our associated partners in Kalmar and Växjö highlighted in their presentation their respective collaborations with Linnaeus University linked to skills supply, attractiveness, innovation and research collaboration.
Peter Aronsson, vice-chancellor, Camilla Andersson Lundqvist, project manager, Erik Ciardi, Kalmar municipality, Elin Lindkvist, contact person, Daniel Alvunger, vice-rector for internationalisation,, Maria Garmer, Växjö municipality, and Joacim Hansson, academic leader of EUniWell´s civic engagement and knowlegde transfer work.
Lukas Geyer
The European Commission has launched the Competitiveness Compass and the Skills Union as part of the EU's upcoming long-term budget. During the Rectors' meeting, the possibilities of being successful with research funding within the EU's various research programmes were discussed and how we within the Alliance can best advance our positions and support each other in the creation of research projects.
-"It is clear that EUniWell is fully in line with the ambitions for research and education set by the European Commission. Therefore, it is of the utmost importance that we at Linnaeus University together with our partner universities join forces", says Daniel Alvunger, vice-rector for internationalisation. He continues:
-The Alliance's platform model is a strength and we will aim for the European Excellence Initiative and the various research pillars of the Horizon programme.
Linnaeus University takes great responsibility for the alliance's goals and mission. Knowledge environments Linnaeus and the research environments Linnaeus University Centres are seen as exciting ways of working by the other partner universities.
-E-health was particularly highlighted as an area with great potential as a digital innovation hub in collaboration with other initiatives such as Nantes University's Health Innovation Lab, says Daniel Alvunger.
The EUniWell Student Board also participated in the Rector's meeting where Linnaeus University was represented by students Dennis Chimaobe and Tamar Kikacheishvili.
During the Rector's meeting, a panel discussion was held on student engagement and the importance of strengthening the EUniWell student experience in education and mobility.
University representatives and associated partners were also given the opportunity to meet other local stakeholders in different locations in Santiago de Compostela. The meeting days were rounded off with an opportunity to participate in a short hike on the Camiño de Santiago.
More information:
- Read more about the meeting in the EUniWell news.
- To Linnaeus University's page on the European University for Wellbeing, EUniWell.
- Subscribe to the EUniWell newsletter to be updated on the latest news.
What is a European University?
The European Universities initiative is part of Erasmus+, the EU's programme for educational cooperation. European Universities aim to enhance the quality of European higher education and contribute to inclusion and competitiveness. This involves European higher education institutions working together in alliances - known as European Universities. European Universities are interdisciplinary, strategic alliances based on education and collaboration, with thematic focuses to address different societal challenges.
Currently, there are 64 European University Alliances involving 560 higher education institutions. Swedish higher education institutions are represented in 24 of these. Project funding with a budget per alliance of up to 14.4 MEUR for 4 years.