Parliament presents draft report on the future of alliances

Key messages of the Parliament’s draft report on the European University Alliances

Importance and success of University Alliances

• The ‘European Universities’ initiative is a key instrument for an integrated, competitive and inclusive European education area and strengthens the European identity.
• The alliances have proven their transformational potential to modernise higher education systems and play a central role in the formation of a new generation of mobile European students.

Funding and sustainability

• Sustainable and predictable funding for the alliances is essential. Erasmus+ should remain the central programme, but should not be the sole source of funding for the alliances.
• The report highlights the importance of a comprehensive investment strategy that also includes funding from Horizon Europe, Digital Europe, InvestEU, the European Social Fund Plus and the European Regional Development Fund.
• In addition to EU funding, national, local and private funding should also be made available to ensure quality, excellence and integration.

Strategic development and quality

• The strategic ideas of the alliances should be reflected in the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF). Each alliance should be assessed and supported individually.
• A transition from a ‘project-based logic’ to long-term, transformative cooperation is called for. The alliances should be able to scale up and to set qualitative rather than quantitative goals.
• Internationalisation of the alliances should be strengthened, particularly in line with the Global Gateway Strategy and using instruments such as Erasmus Mundus.

European Values, innovation and contribution to securing skilled labour

• The alliances are testing innovative ways of teaching, such as microcredentials and blended mobility. There is a need to improve the interoperability of computer systems in order to create genuine virtual European intercampuses.
• They help to combat the shortage of skilled labour, promote competitiveness and strengthen democratic values in Europe.
• The alliances provide a suitable starting point for partnerships with third countries and are committed to upholding European values.

Reactions from the higher education sector

In its reaction of 8 April (link), the European University Association (EUA) welcomes the fact that the draft report emphasises the role of the European University Initiative in promoting systemic reforms. It must be ensured that these reforms benefit the entire sector, including higher education institutions that are not part of an alliance, by removing barriers to collaboration for all. Funding for transnational cooperation should be awarded on the basis of open competition – also beyond the alliances. Giving preferential treatment to alliances would be a step towards a two-tier system. The EEA also calls for synergies already in the application phase for alliances that want to become active in education as well as in research and innovation.