18. 9. 2026
Bern, 28 August 2026
Swiss higher education leaders met in Bern to discuss Switzerland’s role in the European Universities Initiative and the future of European cooperation. The meeting highlighted the strong commitment of Swiss institutions to long-term engagement in European university alliances.
European cooperation today extends well beyond mobility. It is increasingly about building lasting institutional partnerships, developing joint educational and research opportunities, and contributing to a more connected European Higher Education Area.
These questions were at the heart of a high-level meeting convened by Movetia in Bern, bringing together representatives of the Swiss higher education sector, including the State Secretary for Education, Research and Innovation, swissuniversities, and rectors and vice-rectors of Swiss universities involved in European Universities alliances.
The discussions focused on Switzerland’s current position within the European Universities Initiative (EUI), its future prospects and the role of European Universities in the context of Switzerland’s potential future association with Erasmus+.
Switzerland already has a significant stake in the European Universities Initiative: more than half of its higher education institutions participate in an alliance. During the meeting, the State Secretary for Education, Research and Innovation reaffirmed the EUI as a political priority, highlighting its systemic impact and its role in shaping the European Higher Education Area.
The discussions also highlighted that Erasmus+ is about more than mobility. It provides a framework for universities to build institutional partnerships and contribute to a more connected European higher education landscape.
Rector Audrey Leuba represented the University of Geneva on a panel of Swiss university leaders discussing the structuring effect of the EUI and how institutions can navigate uncertainty and change. As the current holder of the 4EU+ presidency, UNIGE is also contributing to the Alliance’s strategic direction, reflecting the active role of Swiss higher education institutions within the European Universities community.
For UNIGE, 4EU+ provides a concrete example of what long-term European cooperation can mean in practice. Through its 10-year strategy, the Alliance is continuing to deepen collaboration between its eight member universities and move towards increasingly integrated forms of cooperation.
As Rector Leuba explained:
“Thanks to our 10-year strategy, we are continuing to deepen our collaboration and move ever closer together. We are already a highly integrated and mature Alliance, with a strong Secretariat and deeply committed members.”
Her message illustrates the transformative potential of European Universities: cooperation can extend beyond individual projects and mobility opportunities to influence how universities work together, organise their activities and plan for the future.
Despite the uncertainty surrounding Switzerland’s future participation in European programmes, the rectors and vice-rectors participating in the panel reaffirmed their long-term commitment to their respective European alliances.
For 4EU+, this commitment reflects a shared understanding of the value of sustained European cooperation. Strong university alliances create connections between institutions, disciplines and communities, while contributing to a more open and connected European Higher Education Area.
As Switzerland continues to shape its future relationship with Erasmus+, the experience of alliances such as 4EU+ demonstrates the importance of maintaining and deepening these institutional connections.
European cooperation is about more than mobility: it is about building lasting partnerships and creating a stronger European university community.