4EU+ charts its next chapter with the Rectors Seminar at the University of Warsaw

On 4 April 2025, the University of Warsaw hosted the 4EU+ Rectors Seminar "Leading the Way: Shaping the Future of a Transnational European University in a Changing Global Landscape". Initiated by Prof. Alojzy Z. Nowak, Rector of the University of Warsaw and current Chair of the 4EU+ Governing Board, the event brought together representatives of academic leadership, researchers and Higher Education experts from the eight member institutions of the 4EU+ Alliance.

The Seminar was preceded by a concert performed by young artists, which showed how powerful music is in conveying the message of unity and diversity, and in combining tradition and innovation.

Celebrating the 7th anniversary of the 4EU(+) initiative and the midpoint of the 1CORE Erasmus+ project, the Seminar delved into 4EU+ within the broader landscape of global trends and transformative shifts taking place in European higher education.

In his opening speech, Rector of the University of Warsaw Prof. Alojzy Z. Nowak spoke about the evolving role of universities in the modern world. He pointed out that nowadays universities are expected not only to educate students and equip them with knowledge and skills to meet the market demands, but also to actively shape the future. He stressed that all eight universities forming the 4EU+ Alliance have great potential to drive change, but they also have a growing number of challenges ahead: "The world is changing. On the one hand, there is globalisation and integration, and on the other, we are also seeing signs of de-globalisation and disintegration. As a result, there are numerous debates on how universities should teach, conduct research and cooperate with the outside world (...) For many years in Europe, we lived in the belief that scientific research should be financed mainly by the state. Today, at least in Poland, a significant share of the budget is being allocated to defence. We are undertaking discussions on how to increase support for science."

The Seminar discussions centred around several critical themes:

• the evolving role of universities in a rapidly changing world,

• the contribution of the 4EU+ Alliance to fostering democracy and cross-cultural understanding,

• funding strategies for collaborative, inter-institutional research,

• the academic sector’s role in the advancement of artificial intelligence,

• and the challenges and opportunities brought by the development of digital medicine.

Commenting on the choice of topics for the Seminar, Prof. Sambor Grucza, Vice-Rector for Cooperation and Human Resources of the University of Warsaw, said: "They are not just relevant – they are essential. They address the core challenges and opportunities facing European universities (...) They underscore the urgent need for stability, democratic resilience, and inclusive collaboration, while also driving innovation in digital medicine and trustworthy AI. Together, these topics shape a strategic vision – one that positions universities not just as participants, but as leaders of societal transformation. Because if we want to shape the future, we cannot afford to follow. We must lead."

During the Seminar, it was impossible not to reflect on the challenging situation of American universities in light of the policy shifts introduced by the new Trump administration, as well as the noticeable absence of a strong and unified response from the U.S. Higher Education sector. "I think we ought to use this moment to ask ourselves: We can have as many toast speeches as we want about defending academic freedom, but are we ready to defend academic freedom faced with the integrity of our institutions, faced with the funding, faced with the dilemmas that our American colleagues are facing right now? And if we are not ready, then get ready, because now is the time to do it. And maybe it's the time to do it together", said Kristian Lauta, Vice-Rector for Education at the University of Copenhagen, in the panel "European Universities an Era of Global Turbulence: Navigating Challenges, Ensuring Stability". The need for unity was also emphasised by Prof. Marina Brambilla, Rector of the University of Milan: "As European universities we are in an ideal position to work in defence of the principles of responsible democracy and the freedom of thought, research and teaching (...) The creation of a European University is a key step to strengthen our unity. In these challenging times, staying united is essential."

Thanks to its interactive format, the Seminar welcomed input and engagement from the audience. Answering the question on the possible next challenges to be tackled by the European Commission in relation to AI development, Věra Jourová, former European Commissioner for Justice, Vice-President of the European Commission for Values and Transparency, and current Vice-Rector for Human Resources Development and New Technologies of Charles University, referred to the anonymity principle: "Soon, people will be really confused whether this is just a bot speaking or a real person. If we keep the principle of anonymity, then I am afraid the anonymous will be losing the right of the freedom of speech. It's not a dystopia, it's just coming."

Rector of the University of Warsaw Prof. Alojzy Z. Nowak stressed that the Seminar is just a starting point for ongoing high-level discussions within the Alliance and serves as the first one in a planned series of seminars for academic leadership.