18. 9. 2025
The 4EU+ Alliance took an active role at the EAIE 2025 Conference in Gothenburg, showcasing its projects, engaging in key discussions, and strengthening collaboration and visibility among European University alliances.
4EU+ Alliance at EAIE 2025: Strengthening collaboration and visibility
On 10–12 September, Gothenburg, Sweden was the venue for the 2025 Annual EAIE Conference and Exhibition, bringing together practitioners in higher education from across Europe and beyond. The 4EU+ Alliance was among more than 30 European Universities alliances represented at the event, contributing actively to discussions and highlighting the impact of its collaborative work. The 4EU+ booth served as a vibrant hub for exchange and networking — a place for discussions, bilateral meetings, and informal conversations over coffee.
Several sessions with the participation of 4EU+ member universities' representatives took place at the event. In “The digital transition in Erasmus+: By the people, for the people?”, Klementyna Kielak (4EU+ Working Group Mobility, University of Warsaw) explored how digitalisation can transform Erasmus+ processes when solutions are shaped directly by the people who use them – students, staff, and administrators.
“Crossing creative borders: Engaging student ambassadors in EUI alliances' communication initiatives” brought the student voice into focus. Edda Cecilia Orlandi (4EU+ Working Group Communications, University of Milan) led the discussion on how student ambassadors have become key communicators for European Universities alliances. The session highlighted best practices for involving students in outreach, demonstrating how their creativity, authenticity, and personal experience support alliance communication strategies, while also strengthening student ownership and visibility.
Laura Colò, 1CORE Project Manager, had a chance to speak at the stand of the European Commission, sharing insights from the FOREU4ALL Topical Group on the European Degree and Joint Programmes and underscoring 4EU+’s active role in shaping European-level debates.
In the poster session “From desert to green pastures: Guiding international students through the information jungle, from admission to arrival”, David Allington (University of Copenhagen) shared practical approaches to supporting international students and ensuring a smooth transition into their new academic and social environments. In “Moving beyond GPA: Rethinking student selection for study abroad programmes”, Pernille Winther (University of Copenhagen) advocated for fairer, more holistic approaches to selecting students for mobility, moving away from grade-based systems to criteria that better reflect motivation, skills, and intercultural potential.
Beyond the sessions, the 4EU+ booth became a dynamic meeting point: a space where working groups gathered, internal university exchanges took place, and partnerships were deepened. Visitors could learn about good practices of alliance participation, hear more about ongoing projects such as 1CORE and 4EU+ MICI, and discuss experiences of collaboration both within and across member universities, as well as with external partners. The booth was also an unprecedented occasion for exchange and networking with other alliances present, especially in the framework of the FOREU4ALL Community of Practice. These encounters showcased the strength of the initiative, the visibility of our joint efforts and achievements, and the vitality of our ongoing collaboration.
Through its contributions and presence at EAIE, 4EU+ not only strengthened its visibility on the European stage but also demonstrated the power of acting together to co-create the university of the future.