The pilot phase of the European Universities Initiative builds on universities across Europe forming various alliances to develop European cooperation between higher education institutions. Alliances are to explore models for cooperation by testing and discussing obstacles and opportunities identified by the group. And joining forces in Europe for improved quality and joint competitiveness is absolutely the right way to go, in my mind.
Heidi Hansson, Deputy Vice-Chancellor of education
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Each respective alliance can apply for funding from a diverse number of Erasmus+ calls for proposals. So far, eleven Swedish higher education institutions participate in European alliances, and in total, 41 alliances have been set up under the first two calls for proposals. Umeå University has a lot to bring to the table, not least through our northern perspective.
Setting up an alliance and applying for the European Universities Initiative requires a great deal of work. In fact, Umeå University joined an application in 2020 and was not granted funding. Nevertheless, we are now making a fresh try and are in full focus to hand in a new application at the end of March, and the results will be notified this summer.
Umeå University is included in an alliance called AcrossEU, which contains nine European universities, and the network may also be expanded to further universities along the way. It's exciting, stimulating and sometimes frustrating to cooperate with representatives from such a widespread array of traditions in education. It's challenging to find the common grounds without, for that matter, wiping out each other's individuality.
The plan of the alliance is to establish four centres, of which Umeå University intends to form one: The Centre for Future Education and Joint Research. For each centre, a joint team contributes with topical issues in sustainability, climate change and digital transformation. A centre means universities become integrated.
Worth noting in particular is the long-term nature behind the European Universities Initiative. The initiative is built upon European and democratic values, and its long-term target is to strengthen Europe as an education and research area. The initiative has the potential of really boosting cooperation, common understanding and mobility to create new opportunities for students and staff alike.
Regardless of the alliance we're now a part of receives funding or not, the University is still investing in long-term European networking. Currently, for instance, we are planning on holding a workshop within this alliance in May. Further perspectives increase quality at the University and provides better conditions for community development. This is favourable for progress in Europe, in Sweden and in the local region.