The League of European Research Universities discusses how to maximize the impact of EU university alliances
The publication was led by Peter Lievens, Vice-Rector for International Policy and Interculturality at KU Leuven, with the support of the LERU International group, chaired by Raúl Ramos, Vice-Rector for Internationalization Policy at the UB. The study addresses the opportunities and complexities that these alliances must face in order to ensure a long-term success and implementation of objectives. One of the most important aspects pointed out is that “key outputs of European university alliances already include major steps forward to novel structures, facilitating the transfer of information between students and university staff, as well as the validation of degrees, credits and micro-credentials”. One of the highlighted alliances is CHARM-EU, led by the UB, which includes, among others, Trinity College Dublin and Utrecht University, also members of LERU.
CHARM-EU is recognized for facilitating collaboration and knowledge sharing through an online space on the alliance’s website. This digital platform allows the sharing of best practices, which helps institutions to optimize strategic cooperation. In addition, CHARM-EU’s governance model and its teaching typology, with hybrid lessons, are used as references for other European alliances.
The publication highlights CHARM-EU’s contribution to strengthening higher education in the EU through innovative training initiatives. In particular, it highlights the role that the Master in Global Challenges for Sustainability plays in this field. It also highlights the ED-AFFICHE project, in which CHARM-EU also plays a leading role.
However, one of the biggest challenges identified by LERU is funding: “To ensure their long-term success, sustained, competitive and excellence-based funding from European, national and regional sources is essential”. This is the only way to develop academic offers that will attract students, according to the document. LERU’s position serves as a reminder of the potential of such alliances in the development of the European higher education of the future.