ChallengeEU alliance

The European Universities alliances are a flagship initiative of the European strategy for universities. It's a cooperative of universities of the future, connecting a new generation of Europeans and enabling them to study and work in different countries, languages, academic sectors and disciplines. UWM, together with eight partner universities, forms the ChallengeEU alliance.

In October, the final signature was placed on the agreement with the European Commission. As a result, the ChallengeEU – project, which representatives of nine universities – has been working on for a long time, will begin in January 2025.

A EUROPEAN PROJECT FOR THE FUTURE

European Universities are ambitious transnational alliances of higher education institutions that develop long-term structural and strategic cooperation based on shared values and agreed principles. The aim of this initiative is to educate a new, cooperative generation of Europeans and to build a strong identity based on European values.

European universities are also intended to strengthen the quality of higher education and its connection to the socio-economic environment. This cooperation is expected to result in a new quality of research and innovation across Europe, benefiting both society and the economy.

THE ROAD TO THE ALLIANCE

In the competition, which closed in June, 60 international consortia applied to become a European University Alliance. Only 14 were selected to receive funding for their activities. Each alliance has a maximum budget of €14.4 million (over four years). Joining the project also makes it easier to attract further funding from international programmes.

The universities in the ChallengeEU alliance have been cooperating for approximately 1.5 years. During this time, intensive work on the project was underway. The first relations between the partner universities were established through online and face-to-face working meetings. At UWM, representatives of several units were responsible for the project, including the Office of International Cooperation, the Marketing and Media Center and some faculties. The supervisor was Prof. Paweł Wielgosz.

In September, Prof. Jerzy Przyborowski and Prof. Paweł Wielgosz met with the rectors of all universities in the ChallengeEU alliance at the University of Lisbon. This was the last meeting before signing the agreement with the European Commission.

- Together with the consortium partners, we discussed how we would make decisions and monitor the impact of the project (both within the universities and between universities). We also defined the stages of our meetings, at which we would discuss the implementation of what is, to be honest, quite a complicated project - says Prof. Jerzy Przyborowski, Rector of UWM. - During our stay in Lisbon, we also discussed the project’s budget. We devoted a lot of time and attention to the management structure and the roles that each university will play in the consortium.

It is important to note that Hochschule Offenburg is the project leader, and UWM is the vice-leader.

– The governance of this project at different levels has been established. The strategic level is first and foremost a strategic council, which will include all rectors and representatives of the student community – explains Professor Przyborowski.

Students will also be involved in the activities of the Alliance by forming a Student Council. Representatives of each university will be nominated by the rectors. The role of these councils will be to monitor the implementation of the strategy of the whole project and to correct it if necessary.

– The second level of the organisational structure concerns project management. The main role is played by the lead institution, the University of Applied Sciences Offenburg, headed by Professor Anna Najderek, Vice-Rector of the University of Applied Sciences Offenburg, supported by the relevant offices – explains Professor Jerzy Przyborowski. – The structure also includes a coordination and support office for all the universities. There will also be an office at each university. This will be responsible for specific tasks, including project promotion and communication between partners.

COOPERATION FULL OF BENEFITS

International partnership is a great opportunity. The ChallengeEU alliance offers University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn many new opportunities. Firstly, UWM students and postgraduates will be able to continue their studies not only in Poland, but also at the partner universities and develop their knowledge and specific skills. Secondly, the universities in the Alliance agree to organise courses that will enable students to acquire additional competences that will be certified. Thirdly, both students and staff will participate in study trips, which will allow them not only to gain new experiences but also to develop networks.

Fourthly, the joint initiative will aim to highlight key contemporary challenges, including equality issues, so that all partners are involved in developing solutions to build inclusive academic communities. The fifth important element will be collaborative research, which will certainly have an impact not only on the research potential of the university, but also teaching. Students will have the opportunity to participate in large international projects and attend courses taught by lecturers from different universities. Sixthly, the participating universities want to strengthen cooperation with business, local government and non-governmental organisations. This is also important information for students, who will have the chance to get much closer to their potential workplaces during their studies.

The ChallengeEU alliance is also involves working with the socio-economic environment. One of the key objectives was to attract partners from business, local government and NGOs. In total, there are 94 units from nine countries across Europe.

All universities have unique innovation strategies in teaching, research and knowledge transfer, combined with extensive experience in working with a wide range of institutions and companies. Partners are committed to the sustainable development of their societies and the region. With some 83,000 students and 9,000 staff, the ChallengeEU Alliance will support social, economic and technological innovation that will impact the lives of some 25 million citizens.