Arqus Vice-Rectors, co-leads and institutional coordinators meet in San Servolo (Venice) for a two-day working event

Today, 20 November 2025, the Arqus Alliance is gathering at the Venice International University (VIU), of which the University of Padua is a partner, for the first day of its two-day programme. This event will bring together the current chairs of the boards, Working Group (WG) co-leads, and the Management Team. This morning’s opening plenary session included updates from the Coordination Team and discussions on ongoing developments at the European level. During the late morning, the working groups presented the key highlights and progress made in areas such as digital tools, dissemination, communities of practice and plurilingual initiatives.

After the lunch break, the WG Co-leads and the Management Team continued with parallel meetings and open conversations designed to strengthen coordination across work packages. The day will conclude with a round of bilateral and multilateral sessions, providing an opportunity for more focused exchanges as participants advance their collaborative work.

Tomorrow, 21 November, the programme will continue with a series of breakout meetings of the Education Board, the Research & Innovation Board, the Societal Engagement Board, and the transversal teams with the Coordination Team. Working groups will have the opportunity to review achievements, address current challenges and plan the next steps together with Board Chairs and Vice-Chairs. The event will conclude with a final plenary summarising the main outcomes before participants gather for a farewell lunch.

This two-day gathering aims to reinforce collaboration within the alliance and set priorities for the coming months, ensuring continued progress on shared initiatives and strategic objectives.

Venice International University is a unique consortium of 23 universities and research institutions from around the world – including the University of Padua – with an autonomous campus located on San Servolo Island, in the heart of the Venetian Lagoon.