European Universities alliances: deepen cooperation and secure financing

The initiative contributes to the development of a European Education Area

The link between education and research should be reinforced

Ensure financing within the Erasmus+ programme

There are currently 65 alliances, involving more than 570 universities in the EU

Parliament calls on the Commission and EU countries to act to deepen cooperation between the current members of the European Universities alliances.

In a report approved by 461 votes, 100 against and 48 abstentions, Parliament asks the Commission to provide enough funding to turn the European Universities alliances into a stable and funded programme and to carry this through to the next multiannual financial framework (MFF). Parliament also calls on EU countries to commit to co-financing alliances through national budgets.

Given its ability to build cross-border networks for researchers, European Universities alliances have the potential to disseminate knowledge in the EU, MEPs say, particularly in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) subjects.

In addition, MEPs stress the need to strengthen the link between these alliances and the private sector to foster innovation and technical and professional training, as well as facilitating transition to the job market.

Saluting the six Erasmus+ experimental projects on the European degree and the European degree label conducted by 21 alliances, MEPs consider that reinforcing the alliances is a step towards the recognition of degrees and diplomas at the EU level. Moreover, they note that European Universities alliances created a genuine laboratory for the European education space and can contribute to a more integrated, competitive and inclusive area, also by promoting European identity, culture, values and academic freedom.

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"The European Universities alliances build on a long tradition of cooperation among European universities, from the Middle Ages and the Enlightenment to the Bologna Process. By fostering exchanges, joint curricula, and cross-border collaboration between students, professors and researchers, they carry forward this rich academic heritage into the future," rapporteur Laurence Farreng (Renew, FR) said.

Background

Launched in 2019 as part of Erasmus+ programme, the European Universities alliance initiative was designed as a network of universities to promote student mobility and to advance pedagogical innovation. In the original plan 20 alliances were foreseen, whereas there are currently 65 alliances, involving more than 570 universities, and representing more than half of the student population of the European Union.