Arqus participates in a European roundtable on the Higher Education Package

Arqus participates today, 10 May, in a meeting with the European Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth, Mariya Gabriel, and the rectors of the 41 European Universities on the progress of the “Higher Education package”. The Arqus Alliance will be represented by the rector of the University of Minho, Rui Vieira de Castro, who will intervene with a brief speech together with other 25 rectors and presidents. 

The “Higher Education package” consists of 2 Commission initiatives that were presented on 18 January 2022: A European Strategy for Universities and a proposal for a Council Recommendation on building bridges for effective European higher education cooperation. On 5th April, following the political agreement of the Ministers responsible for Higher Education, the Council adopted:

• Council Conclusions on a European strategy empowering higher education institutions for the future of Europe.
• Council Recommendation on building bridges for effective European higher education cooperation.

In this meeting, the Ministers highlighted the importance of European Universities as well as the need for stronger synergies between the national and European funding, while maintaining a constant dialogue with the Alliances on the way forward. Today’s meeting will be focused on the debate around the conclusions adopted in this meeting that also counted on the participation of Commissioner Gabriel. 

The rectors participating in the roundtable will be asked about the 4 key objectives proposed by the Commission by mid-2024 in the European Strategy for Universities: Strengthen the European dimension in higher education and research; support universities as lighthouses of our European way of life; universities as actors of change in the twin green and digital transitions and reinforce universities as drivers of Europe’s global role and leadership.

Additionally, they will comment on the proposals gathered in the above Council Recommendation, regarding the testing of a European status for Alliances of Higher Education Institutions, the setting-up of a joint European degree and the full development of the European Student Card to facilitate more mobility.

It will undoubtedly be an inspiring meeting to make progress in responding to the major challenges facing the European Universities of the future.