40th Europe Day: An article about what European cooperation looks like at Leipzig University

On 9 May 1950, former French Foreign Minister Robert Schuman set out his vision for a united Europe in his famous declaration. Since 1986, Europe Day has celebrated this vision. This vision has long been part of everyday life at Leipzig University – thanks in no small part to the Arqus European University Alliance. Three members of Leipzig University share how Arqus shapes their daily lives.

Anja Radon works in the third-party funding administration department at Leipzig University. In the Arqus Community of Practice on project finance, she regularly connects with colleagues from Vilnius, Graz, Wrocław and Granada to discuss the financial management of EU projects. Through these exchanges, Anja has not only expanded her specialist knowledge but also forged valuable connections:

“Due to my role in the central administration, I am usually tied to my desk. So I was all the more excited when, at the end of 2023, I received a request from our Arqus office asking if I would like to join a Community of Practice founded by some of my colleagues at Vilnius University called the Project and Finance Management Offices. Together with colleagues from Vilnius, Graz, Wrocław and Granada, we discuss common problems and our respective approaches to managing EU projects. Meetings take place online or on-site at one of the partner universities in rotation. This allows us to familiarise ourselves with other working environments in terms of both geography and hierarchy. These changes of perspective have helped me realise, for example, that we at Leipzig University should be proud and grateful to have the IVMC project management tool at our disposal, and this has boosted my motivation in my day-to-day work.”

Dr Djamil Al-Halbouni, Junior Professor of Geophysics and Remote Sensing at Leipzig University, organised two international seminars in Granada through Arqus and with the support of the DAAD. He views the Alliance as a space where science and humanity converge:

“I find collaborating with colleagues from various European universities extremely enriching and inspiring. The exchange of lecturers and students made possible by Arqus is of great significance in this regard. Not only do scientific ideas, projects and workshops play a major role, but also the exchange of views on cultural similarities and differences, linguistic aspects, and of course, personal interaction. This includes events that go beyond the usual scope, such as support and assistance with health issues or challenging situations whilst on site at a partner university, which I was very grateful for during my last Arqus project: the Winter School at the Granada Geopark. These were very special experiences for me personally, and I would not have been able to have them so easily without opportunities such as those offered by the Arqus Alliance.“

Julia Lewin is a Bachelor’s degree student in Ethnology. She has become familiar with the Arqus Alliance from the ground up, working as a student assistant in the Leipzig coordination team and participating in two Arqus annual conferences as well as a summer school with our partner university in Granada:

“Since Arqus became part of my everyday university life, I have had so many incredible experiences. The Arqus Summer School in Granada was particularly formative for me. There, I was able to improve my language skills, experience Spanish culture first-hand, and establish many connections that remain to this day. Working as a student assistant for the Arqus University Alliance also gave me fascinating insights into European university cooperation. I was particularly impressed by the annual conferences, where students, lecturers and staff from all over Europe come together to exchange ideas. I attended the annual conference at the University of Minho in Braga and participated in the Student Council. I also helped prepare for and organise the 2025 annual conference at Leipzig University, where I welcomed representatives of partner universities. Arqus has become an important part of my studies and beyond. I have gained international experience, met inspiring people, and developed personally.”

Article by Steven Rupp