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CHARM-EU launches Sustainability Master

Barcelona, 8 April 2021. The CHARM-EU university alliance has just launched a Master in Global Challenges for Sustainability as a new international, innovative, flexible, inclusive programme with a challenge-driven, research-based curriculum. International student mobility is at the core of the programme which will start in September 2021. The deadline for applications is soon: 15 April 2021.

Global Challenges for Sustainability 

Students on the Master’s in Global Challenges for Sustainability will take 3 compulsory phases. The Preparatory Phase module will be featuring general capacities related to sustainability, social innovation and transdisciplinary research. The second part of the master’s degree will be flexible, allowing students to choose on one of three sustainability themes: Water, Food or Life & Health. Finally, students will be required to do a capstone project on a sustainability challenge in collaboration with extra academic actors (i.e. business, community and society).

The programme is unique and innovative in various aspects, including the flexible three phased course structure, integrated mobility experiences, broader content focus, overall transdisciplinary approach and challenge-based environment.

This is a unique opportunity to obtain an accredited master’s degree jointly awarded by the five CHARM-EU partners’ universities: University of Barcelona, Trinity College Dublin, Utrecht University, Eötvös Loránd University and University of Montpellier.

As a student you will have the opportunity to: 

  • develop creative and critical thinking skills
  • research and evaluate complex societal challenges from different stakeholder and intercultural perspectives
  • assess and integrate different disciplinary and transdisciplinary knowledge and research methodologies 
  • acquire expertise and communicate effectively on ‘real-life’ and complex issues 
  • acquire advanced transversal competencies in problem solving, entrepreneurialism, innovation, digital skills and a life-long learning disposition.

An innovative learning experience 

The master’s programme is utilizing innovative pedagogies of the five CHARM-EU partner institutions, supporting knowledge in cross-disciplinary and intercultural teams, and striving to make the knowledge square – education, research, innovation and service to society – a reality.

The programme will be student centered, as students will be able to direct their own learning processes. 

Mobility as a key feature 

International activities, such as student mobility is at the core of the Master’s in Global Challenges for Sustainability. CHARM-EU identifies mobility as a key tool for enhancing the quality of all teaching and learning processes for all prospective CHARM-EU citizens. CHARM-EU students therefore will be part of one university community with multiple campuses across countries creating a unified international ecosystem with seamless mobility flows and accompanying international activities. 

Who can apply?

The Master’s in Global Challenges for Sustainability is aimed at graduates of any discipline from diverse backgrounds who want to acquire advanced knowledge of sustainability by addressing real and global societal challenges. Students will learn challenge analysis skills and extend their capabilities to address and develop solutions for complex problems.

Applicants will need to hold at least a bachelor’s degree or recognised equivalent to a bachelor’s degree. An English language certification (C1) is necessary for programme admission. 

Apply now! 

CHARM-EU

CHARM-EU is an alliance between the University of Barcelona (coordinator), Trinity College Dublin, Utrecht University, the University of Montpellier and Eötvös Loránd University in Budapest. CHARM-EU represents a Challenge-Driven, Accessible, Research-based and Mobile model for the co-creation of a European University aligned with the European Values, the European Green Deal and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). 

You can find out more about CHARM-EU in this video. 

Further information

The Masters in Global Challenges for Sustainability will have 90 ECTS credits and it extends over 18 months. The Master’s degree is jointly awarded by the five CHARM-EU partner universities. All course information and online application details are available at: www.charm-eu.eu/masters/globalchallenges  

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Circle U. gets a legal identity

circle u.

Louvain, 30.03.2021. The seven partner universities have set up the Circle U. AISBL to frame the long-term collaboration in the alliance.

The Circle U. partner universities established Circle U. AISBL as an international not-for-profit organisation under Belgian law. The official signing took place in the presence of the President of the Université de Paris, Christine Clerici, Hege Landmark-Høyvik, Counsellor for Education in the Mission of Norway to the EU, representing the University of Oslo, and Rector Vincent Blondel of UCLouvain, who also signed on behalf of Aarhus University, the University of Belgrade, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin and King’s College London. Given the Covid-19 pandemic, strict sanitary measures were put in place.

The establishment of the new organisation marks a first milestone in the 3-year Erasmus+ project to set up the alliance. But the new organisation also points beyond the initial project collaboration.

The Circle U. AISBL shows our commitment to building a truly European University, and will help facilitate the long-term joint management of our alliance. It gives us a framework for working together that goes beyond project cycles, and provides a platform for collaboration with other universities and other organisations on our own terms and on a longer horizon, says Rector Blondel.

Original link: www.circle-u.eu/news/2021/circle-u.-gets-a-legal-identity.html

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EUA paper on governance models

Brussels, 18 March 2021. This is the first briefing in a new EUA series focused on evolving university governance. The publication explores the governance set-up of the European University Alliances formed under the EU’s European Universities Initiative.

For the first time, the document by Thomas Estermann, Enora Bennetot Pruvot and Hristiyana Stoyanova, presents a comparative overview of the complex governance structures of these networks, examining their ability to sustain beyond the three-year project time frame, while remaining relevant for their members.

The analysis highlights several challenges that focus on the alliances’ governance sustainability and draws the attention of universities and policy makers to the conditions needed to sustain their financial capacity and ensure increased collaboration and better alignment with institutional strategic priorities.

Download here

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Event News

The European Uni – One Idea, Different Models

Registration here

Berlin & online, 3 March 2021. As part of the Una Europa Staff Week, on March 3rd, 9.30 a.m. CET, the homonymous University Alliance plans an online talk titled “The European University — One Idea, Different Models.”

The organisers have chosen a broad approach, they think “that the idea of the European University has seen the development of multifaceted models over the course of the last years. There is a proliferation of networks and programs, which aim at making the European university landscape more diverse and inclusive by fostering relationships between universities and encouraging collaboration between a multitude of different actors. In this talk, we want to ask which steps have been taken towards the idea of a European university and discuss directions for future developments that unfold from the joint activities of university alliances, networks, and partnerships.”

The FU website informs: “There is a proliferation of models, programs and formats among [University Alliances]. The aims and objectives of the various networks are very heterogeneous. Some concentrate their co-cooperation on specific research themes, others on student mobility, some want to create a unified European Campus, others plan to create ‘only’ joint programs. Most of them hope to enable students at some point to obtain a degree by combining studies in several EU countries. Some chose partners who were very much like themselves, others went for complimentary partners.”

In this talk, representatives of the three networks Una Europa, Eutopia and Unite! have been invited to discuss the different paths these networks are currently going. They will talk about challenges they all have to face and the hopes they have for their future development. Among the questions to be discussed will be the following:

  • Which strategies and instruments of cooperation have been successful, particularly in times of a pandemic?
  • How far do the universities within the networks want to go in terms of forming a new joint European identify?
  • What are currently the main challenges in building European structures and programs – legal issues, financial issues, visionary issues, national egoisms to name but a few?
  • Where do the new networks see themselves in comparison to already existing European higher education institutions?
  • How far did some individual universities already change in the process?
  • What are the biggest positive aspects of the networks? Or is it too early to tell?
  • What are best practice models? A fusion of European universities into one or a European network?
  • Some networks have UK member institutions – how will the networks deal with Brexit?
  • How can we make the networks sustainable in terms of finance?
  • How would you measure the success of a ‘European University’?
  • Where do we envisage the networks in ten years from now?”

These questions will be discussed by our panel of experts:

  • James Smith, Vice-Principal International at University of Edinburgh, and Representative of Una Europa
  • Eva Wiberg, Vice-Chancellor at the University of Gothenburg, and Representative of EUTOPIA
  • Jens Schneider, Vice President of Transfer and International Affairs at Technische Universität Darmstadt, and Representative of UNITE!

The panel discussion will be moderated by Verena Blechinger-Talcott, Vice-President International at Freie Universität Berlin, and Representative of Una Europa.

Sources: Una Europa | FU Berlin

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Scottish research universities in Europe after Brexit

scotland europe esna

Brussels & online, 5 February 2021. “Scottish universities harnessing research excellence to address global challenges with European partners” is the title of this online discusson organised by the Scotland House Brussels. Participants are representatitives of the University of Glasgow and the University of Edinburgh, alongside the League of European Research Universities (LERU) and The Guild.

This conversation, taking place after confirmation of the UK’s association to Horizon Europe, focuses on how the world-leading research undertaken by Scottish universities remains important and relevant to Europe. Speakers discuss how, through Horizon Europe, Scotland’s researchers continue to work with partners across Europe to address our shared global challenges.
This event brings together the Principals from the University of Glasgow and the University of Edinburgh, as well as the Secretary-Generals of LERU and the Guild, to discuss how universities will collaborate as European partners, and the crucial role networks will play in keeping UK universities engaged in European research discourse and collaboration.

Speakers

  • Professor Sir Anton Muscatelli, Principal and Vice-Chancellor, University of Glasgow
  • Professor Peter Mathieson, Principal and Vice-Chancellor, University of Edinburgh
  • Professor Kurt Deketelaere, Secretary-General, LERU
  • Professor Jan Palmowski, Secretary-General, The Guild
    and
  • John Struthers, Professor of Economics at the University of The West of Scotland
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News Video

YUFE Townhall – Happy 1st Birthday!

MAASTRICHT, 7-9 December 2020. The YUFE Townhall was a 2.5-day umbrella event involving all of YUFE’s programmes and activities bringing together the entire YUFE community. Its focus was on European Higher Education and its links to wider society. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the event took place virtually.
Three of the YUFE Townhall sessions were open to the public. The first open session, the “Opening Ceremony”, gave an overview of what has been achieved by YUFE in it’s first year. The second open session, “What can European Universities do for you?”, asked a variety of stakeholders, including the European Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth, the DG of the Finnish Ministry of Education and Culture, and the CEO of a triple-helix campus, what European Universities can contribute to society, with a focus on regional employability following the quadruple helix model. The quadruple helix model brings together science, policy, industry, and society. The third open session was a working session organised and hosted by the YUFE Student Forum.

PROGRAMME

Day 1 – Monday, 7 December 2020
14:00 – 15:00
Opening Ceremony

Open session

  • Moderated by Jan Hupkens, Senior Policy Advisor Internationalisation, Maastricht University ›

Welcome Speech by Chair & Vice-Chair of YUFE Strategy Board

  • Professor Dr Martin Paul, President Maastricht University & Chair YUFE ›
  • Jessica Winter, Student University of Bremen & Vice-Chair YUFE ›

Presentation on YUFE and achievements to date

  • Dr Daniela Trani, Director, YUFE ›

Q&A with questions from virtual audience

15:00 – 18:00
YUFE Strategy Board Meeting
Closed session

Day 2 – Tuesday, 8 December 2020
11:00 – 12:30

„What can European Universities do for you?“ A discussion on the impact of EUIs on employability and regional socio-economic development

Open session

  • Moderated by Jan Hupkens, Senior Policy Advisor Internationalisation, Maastricht University ›
  • Mariya Gabriel, Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth ›
  • Atte Jääskeläinen, Director General of the Department for Higher Education and Science Policy, Ministry of Education and Culture, Finland ›
  • Dr Astrid Boeijen, CEO, Brightlands Smart Service Campus Heerlen ›

Panel discussion about the impact of EUIs on employability and regional socio-economic development, followed by Q&A with a virtual audience

  • Dr Astrid Boeijen, CEO, Brightlands Smart Service Campus Heerlen ›
  • Menno Bart, Public Affairs Manager, The Adecco Group ›
  • Dr Daniela Trani, Director, YUFE ›
    Nina Kolaković, Assistant Expert, Rector’s Office, University of Rijeka ›
  • Sonia Synak, Student, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun ›

13:30 – 17:00

Work Package Open Hours: results, lessons and ideas from year 1

Closed sessions

18:00 –

Training and Working Sessions of the YUFE Student Forum

Open session

Day 3 – Wednesday, 9 December 2020
09:00 – 17:00

Work Package Open Hours: results, lessons and ideas from year 1

Closed sessions

More info here: yufe.eu/townhall-2020/

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EUTOPIA Week – A Self Discovery

EUTOPIA, 23-27 November 2020. EUTOPIA Week brings together students, researchers, subject matter experts and strategic partners from across the alliance network, every six months. This year they are hosting a number of additional online events, open to all, to provide unique insights and enable important discussions on topics impacting society today.

Programme and timetable 

What’s happening?

The University of Warwick (UK) is hosting the second EUTOPIA Week online with a series of workshops, panel debates and open forum Q&As. High-profile speakers participate in important topical discussions relating to Higher Education and the wider global operating context. A number of sessions will be open to the public and they promise to offer impressive academic and professional expert insights into the hot topics facing our society today. Some sessions are only open to University Presidents and senior leaders, Work Package leads, students, staff, academics and researchers from the six partners of EUTOPIA. There is also an online ‘Pub Quiz’ on Wednesday, where fellow delegates can get together and test their knowledge. And finally, there are Warwick Esports games and events for more fun throughout the week.

Full schedule

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CHARM-EU Days for a European Green Deal

CHARM-EU, 23-24 November 2020. This event will explore the future of the European Higher Education landscape and its role in addressing complex and interlinked societal challenges.

Climate change and environmental degradation are an existential threat to Europe and the world. In addition, the world is facing unexpected challenges caused by the COVID-19 scenario. To overcome these challenges, the European Union (EU) developed a new growth strategy: the European Green Deal for the EU and its citizens. Whilst all EU actions and policies will have to contribute to the European Green Deal objectives, the higher education sector – as one of the main contributors in educating those who will shape our society – must to play a key role in achieving these goals. Considering this complex scenario, CHARM-EU Days will be an occasion to reflect on how European Universities initiative can contribute to supporting the European Green Deal.

The CHARM-EU Days is a unique opportunity for participants to reflect and discuss the potential of European Universities in shaping the present and the future of our society by reinforcing its commitment with the EU’s Green Deal action plan.

Source: www.charm-eu.eu

Programme

HOW CAN THE EUROPEAN UNIVERSITIES INITATIVE CONTRIBUTE TO SUPPORTING THE EUROPEAN GREEN DEAL?

The CHARM-EU Days is a unique opportunity for participants to reflect and discuss the potential of European Universities in shaping the present and the future of our society by reinforcing its commitment with the EU’s Green Deal action plan.

Top 3 Reasons you can’t miss the CHARM-EU Days

  • Obtain a better knowledge and reflect on how to support the Green Deal through the creation of a new university model.

  • Exchange ideas on how the European Universities initiative can contribute in shaping the present and the future of our society.

  • Connect with a variety of stakeholders and fins new opportunites of collabroation and how to get involved in the CHARM-EU Community.

Day 1 – 23 November 2020
9:30 – 10:00 Opening Session
Presented by: Michele Catanzaro (Live from the University of Barcelona)

Welcome words: Adrienn Király, Head of Cabinet of Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth, European Commission.

Introductory remarks

  • Joan Elias, Rector. University of Barcelona.

  • Vanessa Debiais-Sainton, Head of the Higher Education Unit, European Commission.

  • Patrick Caron, Vice President for International Affairs, University of Montpellier.

  • Francesc Almendros Viladerrams, CHARS-EU Student representative, University of Barcelona.

10:00 – 11:15 European Universities Initative and the Euroepan Green Deal

The aim of this panel is to reflect how the European Universities Initiatives can actively contribute to the achievement of the Euroepan Green Deal strategic plan. Speakers will discuss how a new university model can help address these global challenges. In particular how to link European Universities initiative and the European Green Deal agenda. Moderator: Michele Catanzaro.

  • Henk Kummerling. Rector Universiteit Utrecht.

  • Cláudia Cavadas, Coimbra Group Executive Board member and Vice-Rector for Research and 3rd Cycle Studies at the University of Coimbra.

  • Marie Wittamer. CIVIS Executive Director.

  • Monika Skadborg, European Student’s Union (ESU)

11:15 – 11:30 Virtual trivia (Kahoot! game)

A 15 minutes trivia on general questions, including Covid-19, H2020 and European Universities. The winner will receive a CHARM-EU branding kit. Check out our website for the Terms & Conditions.

GREEN CLUSTERS SESSIONS
23 NOVEMBER FROM 12:00 CET

12:00 – 13:30 Cluster 1 I Towards Transdiscipliary Networks to Solve Global Challenges

The dynamic session invites you to join and network with transdiscipliary CHARM-EU Knowledge Creating Terms (KCTs). We will work together to define „problems spaces“ central to the European Green Deal. These will inspire and inform CHARM European University’s Moderators:

  • Jake Byrne, Trinity College Dublin.

  • Gemma O’Sulllivan, Trinity College Dublin.

  • Jan Haarhuis, Utrecht University.

The second part of this session will be via icebreaker.

13:45 – 15:15 Cluster 2  Mobility: Sustainavle mobility solutions

The mobility cluster will focus on the sustainability dimesions of mobility within Eropean Universities Alliances both form a practical and a conceputal point of view, starting from concrete examples leading to more general (abstract) considerations. Moderator: Niamh Burke, Trinity College Dublin.

  • Nathalie Modjeska, Montpellier University.

  • Simone Hackett, The Hague University of Applied Sciences.

  • Tessa Schutte, Utrecht University.

  • Marenthe Middelhoff, Utrecht University.

15:30 – 17:30 Cluster 3I Inclusiveness: Ensuring that no one will be left behind

An inclusive Green Deal for Europe means for uns, that plicies & implementation have to be inlusive and open. Many people are excluded from mainstream policies & implmemnentation becaus eof their gender, ethnicity, age… sexual orientation, disability or poverty, etc. No one can ve left behind. This session offers principles for inclusive design that considers the greatest extent of people.

Day 2 – 24 November 2020

10:00 – 11:30 How external stakeholders can engage with the European Universities to address the European Green Deal?

This session will debate the role of business and society as part of a new university model that will protect the enviroment and boost the green economy. Moderator: Michele Catanzaro.

  • Carole-Anne Sénit. GLOBAL GOALS Project I Copernicus Institute of Sustainable Development. Utrecht University.

  • Jeroen Spierings, Head of Indistry Marketing, Ricoh Europe.

  • Celia Belline. CEO, CILcare.

  • Carlos Montero, Chief Technology Officer, Suez Spain.

  • Estibaliz Saez de Cámara, Head of Sustainability of the University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU). Advisory Board member of the Sustainable Developmement Solutions Network – Red Espanola de Desarrollo Sostenible (REDS).

11:30 – 12:45 Creating a research and innovation agenda o the European Universities: a look into the Horizon Europe perspective and the European Green Deal

In this session, participants will have the opportunity to discuss the link between the Horizon Euope, the European Universities Initiative and the European Green Deal, future of the research and innovation dimension in achieving greener future. Moderator: Michele Catanzaro

  • Apostolia Karamali, Head of Unit, DG for Research and Innovation

  • Domènec Espriu, TORCH Project Manager

  • Kristof Vlaeminck, Senior External Funding Officer – Una Europa Coordinator subgroup Research and Innovation – Forum of European Universities

  • Agostino Inguscio, Ecological and Social Transitions, Healthy Planet Directorate. European Commission

  • Inês Prates. Policy Officer. European Commission.

  • Barbara Koch, Albert-Ludwigs Universitat Freiburg. Member of EUA Energy & Environment Platform

12:45 – 13:30 Closing session and final remarks

Rapporteurs from the clusters sessions
Moderator: Michele Catanzaro

  • Cluster 1 Towards Transdisciplinary Networks to Solve Global Challenges. Jan Haarhuis, Utrecht University

  • Cluster 2 Mobility: Sustainable mobility solutions. Brendan Tighe, Trinity College Dublin

  • Cluster 3 Inclusiveness: Ensuring that no one will be left behind. Agnes Sarolta Fazekas, PhD – Leader of CHARM-EU WP6 – Inclusiveness

  • Tim Savage, Senior Advisor, CHARM-EU. Trinity College Dublin

  • Vanessa Debiais-Sainton, Head of the Higher Education Unit. European Commission

Source: www.charm-eu.eu

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News Video

4EU+ Open Session and Round Table

Prague, 16 November 2020. The Annual Meeting of the 4EU+ Alliance was be held as an online event, organized by Charles University. It consists of three main parts:

In the morning, various stakeholders from the 4EU+ Community explore selected topics of central relevance for the Alliance during the micro think-tank sessions. In parallel, the 4EU+ Governing Board holds its regular meeting with the 4EU+ Management Committee and Vice-Rectors/Vice-Presidents of member universities.

Charles University Rector Tomáš Zima officially takes over the position of the Chair of the 4EU+ Governing Board from the President of Sorbonne University Jean Chambaz at the General Assembly.

4EU+ Academic Council will be officially inaugurated as a Governance Body of the Alliance.

The Open Session of the Annual Meeting, organised with the support of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic, starts at 16:00. All the partners and friends of the 4EU+ European University Alliance are invited to join. Main outcomes of the micro think-tanks sessions are being shared, successful Flagship projects are being presented and a round-table discussion on the topic “4EU+ as a prototype for synergy between research and education” is being held.

The detailed programme of the Open Session:

Welcome by the Rectors, Ambassadors, European Commissioner, Members of the Czech Government

    • Welcome by CU Rector Tomáš Zima

    • Welcome by the Minister of Foreign Affairs Tomáš Petříček

    • Greetings by the Deputy Minister of Education Václav Velčovský

    • Greetings by the ambassadors

    • President of Sorbonne University Jean Chambaz: achievements of 4EU+ in 2020

    • Rector of Charles University Tomáš Zima: Priorities of 4EU+ under the GB Chair of CU Rector Tomáš Zima

    • Greetings by the European Commissioner Mariya Gabriel

Reports from the micro think-tanks sessions by student co-chairs

Topic 1: Just Wishful Thinking? The claim of synergy between research and teaching in 4EU+ Janathan Juarez Altuzar (HU)

Topic 2: 4EU+ and Europe: Can 4EU+ make us better Europeans? Can 4EU+ strengthen Europe? And should it? If yes, how? Eliška Černovská (CU)

Topic 3: Mobility, connectivity, exchange: Which mix of modes cooperating within 4EU+ works best? What can be gained by certain modes? And what is lost? Bret Doerksen (UM)

Key topic: 4EU+ as a prototype for synergy between research and education

  • Presentation of one successful project per Flagship

    Flagship 1: Urban Health Case Challenge
    Flagship 2: Cooperative Network Philotrans
    Flagship 3: Joint master degree in Mathematics and Applications
    Flagship 4: Extension of competences and knowledge-based education of natural hazards and environmental change

  • Round-table discussion with representatives of the European Commission, Rectors and students, moderated by Tomáš Zima, Rector of Charles University

    • Vanessa Debiais-Sainton, Head of the Unit Higher Education, DG EAC
    • Apostolia Karamali, Head of Unit Academic R&I and Research Organisations, DG RTD
    • Bernhard Eitel, Rector of Heidelberg University
    • Henrik C. Wegener, Rector of the University of Copenhagen
    • Student representatives: Mike Gudbergsen (UCPH), Julia Kostro (UW), Bérangère Poncet (SU)

Original links: YouTube | 4EU+

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News

UTwente invests €4.4m in ECIU

The Executive Board during the University Council meeting in September. Today, the meeting took place over Teams. Foto: Frans Nikkels

TWENTE, 4 November 2020. The UT Executive Board has decided to allocate in total 4.415 million euros to the ECIU University project. Their investment plan was approved by the University Council today.

The ECIU University is a new European university involving all thirteen ECIU (European Consortium of Innovative Universities) partners, including the University of Twente which coordinates the project. Its main objective is to develop a virtual university based on challenge-based education, research and innovation. In challenge-based education, multidisciplinary teams of learners (students and professionals) work on real life societal challenges. Next to the challenges, online micro modules are being developed and offered by all partners. The first learners will start working challenges in the autumn 2020.

The ECIU University project started ten months ago, and runs for three years in total with the aim to secure long term funding by then. To run the pilot, a total of five million euros was granted by the EU to the ECIU consortium. The UT has received 762.000 euros from this funding, but in order to start up the project, pre-investments are needed from every alliance partner.

The Board has presented a business plan for the ECIU University pilot, which will last three years. In 2020, the university will invest 715.000 euros for the creation and start-up of ECIU University at UT level. For the coming two years, the budget has been set to 1.825 million and 1.875 million euros. Most of these costs amount to personnel costs in order ‘to not add to work pressure’, states the investment plan.

The plan was extensively discussed during the online University Council (UC) meeting this morning. While the Council was overall positive about UT’s involvement in the project, they raised some concerns. Mainly, the UC stated that clear goals and evaluation criteria were missing in the current plan. They also expressed their worry of ECIU University becoming a standalone project and leading to increased workload for UT employees.

‘This is not a standalone project, not at all,’ responded Victor van der Chijs. ‘It is engrained in the implementation of Shaping 2030. It is part of innovation of our own organisation. The entire project has been set up so that we don’t increase workload. It is increasing work, we are doing something additional, but we can hire additional staff. You ask for clear strategy on how to incorporate the project. What you saw was investment plan, not the project plan. We are still developing the project plan and strategy. You will get such a plan with time-based criteria early next year. That is a promise.’

After a closed discussion, the Council was asked to vote on the matter. With eleven votes in favor and four against, the investment plan was approved. More detailed plans on how to incorporate the ECIU University within the UT should be presented by February 2021.

Source