European Universities Initiative 5 Years On: A Research and Practice Symposium

Location: USI Campus EST, Via la Santa 1, 6962 Lugano, Switzerland

Dates: Monday, June 2nd - Tuesday, June 3rd, 2025

Day 1: Monday, June 2nd, 2025

8:30 - 9:30: Registration & Welcome Coffee (Foyer, Block A, Level 0/Ground Floor)

9:30 - 10:00: Welcome Address (Aula Polivalente, Block A, Level 0/Ground Floor)

• Introduction to the Symposium by Agata Lambrechts (Università della Svizzera italiana, CH and the Swiss Federal University for Vocational Education and Training, CH) & Alina Felder-Stindt (University of St. Gallen, CH)

• Welcome by Benedetto Lepori (Università della Svizzera italiana, CH & the European Higher Education Sector Observatory)

• Welcome by the Symposium Rapporteur Bjørn Stensaker (University of Oslo, NO (Circle U.))

10:00 - 11:30:  Key Panel Discussion: Continuities, Changes and Challenges for European Higher Education Landscape. Five Years of the European Universities Initiative  (Aula Polivalente, Block A, Level 0/Ground Floor)

This session will provide an overview of the forthcoming book - Continuities, Changes and Challenges for the European Higher Education Landscape. Five Years of the European Universities Initiative’. The editors will present a summary of the book's key themes and findings, followed by three short presentations highlighting specific chapters, with ample time at the end left for discussion.

Introduction and moderation: Agata Lambrechts & Alina Felder-Stindt

Book presentation: Antonin Charret (University of Oxford, UK)

Chapter presentations:

1. Courtney Hartzell, Hana Fehrenbach & Alina Felder-Stindt (University of St. Gallen, CH): Another EU-funded project or organisational transformation through projectification? The supranational case of the European Universities Initiative

2. Daniela Craciun (University of Twente, NL), Agata Lambrechts (Università della Svizzera italiana, CH & Swiss Federal University for Vocational Education and Training, CH),  & Marco Cavallaro (Euresearch, CH): Why Choose Between Inclusion and Excellence in Higher Education When You Can Have Both? Distributed Excellence in the European Universities Initiative

3. Nadia Manzoni (Central European University, AT): EUI: What’s all the fuss about?

Open floor for discussion.

11:30 - 11:45: Coffee Break (Foyer, Block A, Level 0/Ground Floor)

11:45 - 13:15: Parallel Session I

Parallel Paper Session 1: Navigating Change within Universities (Room C1.04, Block C, Level 1/ First Floor)

Chair: Dominik Antonowicz (Nicolaus Copernicus University, PL)

• Estela Cunha (CIPES & DCSPT, University of Aveiro, PT) & Teresa Carvalho (CIPES & DCSPT, University of Aveiro, PT): Five Years of European Alliances: Standing on the Shoulders of the Back Office?

• Agata Mannino (CHEI-Catholic University Milan, IT & ACROSS Alliance, DE): Do Alliances Lead to Transformative Change? Sensemaking, Middle Managers and Institutional Transformation in the European Universities Initiative

• Ann-Kristin Matthé (Maastricht University, NL): If changing a university is like moving a graveyard – how about participating in an EUI alliance?

• Alexandra Hashem-Wangler (Hochschule Bremen - City University of Applied Sciences, STARS EU, DE): Effective communication structures and a strategic approach: Concretizing collaboration in the first year of the STARS EU project

Parallel Paper Session 2: Collaboration In and Beyond the EU (Room C1.05, Block C, Level 1/ First Floor) 

Chair: Daniel Iszak (Central European University and CIVICA WP Research Coordinator) 

• Andrew Gunn (University of Manchester, UK) & Marina Cino Pagliarello (European University Institute, IT): Alliances as Informal Diplomatic Actors: Soft Power Perspectives on the European Universities Initiative

• Annika Sundbäck (University of Helsinki, FI): Global outreach of the European University Initiative: partnerships with Africa

• Adina Fodor (Babeș-Bolyai University, RO): Mapping the Social Impact of the European Universities Initiative in the Turkish Alliance Members - A Critical Literature Review

• Agata Lambrechts (Università della Svizzera italiana, CH & Swiss Federal University for Vocational Education and Training, CH) & Antonin Charret (University of Oxford, UK): Exploring the Swiss & British Participation in the EUI

13:15 - 14:15: Lunch & Networking (Foyer)

14:15 - 15:45: Parallel Session II

Parallel  Paper Session 3: Emerging Topics from Emerging Scholars (Room C1.05, Block C, Level 1/ First Floor)

Chair: Marcelo Marques (University of Luxembourg, LU) 

• Maija Hirvonen (Université Bourgogne Europe, FR): Ethnographic approaches to the study of the EUI 

• Daniel Schumann (Freie Universität Berlin, DE) & Kathrin Zippel (Freie Universität Berlin, DE): Transformations of Diversity through Internationalization. The Case of the European Universities Initiative

• Mattia Quinteri (Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, IT): Unpacking the European Dimension: Organisational Identities in European Universities Alliances

• Edita Lenkauskaite (Klaipeda University, LT),  Caio Cesar Souza (Universidad Federal do ABC, BR): The Bureaucratic grip of European University Alliances

• Filipe Guerra (CIPES, University of Aveiro, PT), Teresa Carvalho (CIPES & DCSPT, University of Aveiro, PT): Higher education and European integration

• Karol Leja (Tampere University, FI): Students Participation in the Governance of European University Alliances

• Katerina Klimoska (Ss. Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje, MK): The European Universities Initiative, Strategic Asset for Europe's Geopolitical Unity and Sovereignty

Parallel Paper Session 4: Alliances and Institutional Identity (Room C1.04, Block C, Level 1/ First Floor)

Chair: Andra Stan-Dragotesc (West University of Timisoara, RO)

• Johanna Warm (Vienna University of Economics and Business, AT),  Oliver Vettori (Vienna University of Economics and Business, AT): Shared goals – separate translations: How European University Alliances are framed by their members

• Tamar Chkhartishvhili (Osnabrück University of Applied Sciences, DE & the University for Continuing Education Krems, AT): Unity in Diversity? How European University Alliances Shape Institutional Identity Across National Contexts

• Courtney Hartzell (Ghent University, BE): Shades of ambivalence: academic identification with an alliance in the European Universities Initiative

• Janina Fengel (Hochschule Darmstadt University of Applied Sciences, DE & European University of Technology), Timothée Toury (European University of Technology, FR): Application of a practical framework for guiding and assessing convergence: a key to consolidating a highly ambitious strategic goal

15:45 - 16:00: Coffee Break (Foyer, Block A, Level 0/Ground Floor)

16:00 - 17:45: Key Panel Discussion: The Future of Switzerland within the EUI (Aula Polivalente, Block A, Level 0/Ground Floor)

• Moderators: Agata Lambrechts & Alina Felder-Stindt 

    Presenters:

• Léa Moreau, Research Advisor CIVIS, University of Lausanne (CIVIS): Platform for Temporary Experimentation or Profound Transformation? Reflections on the University of Lausanne’s Participation in the CIVIS Alliance

• Brigitte Kürsteiner, Local Coordinator PIONEER, Bern University of Applied Sciences (PIONEER): The challenge of the societal impact: A Swiss versus a European perspective on organisational actorhood in university alliances 

• Myra Posluschny-Treuner, Project Manager EELISA European University, Zurich University of Applied Sciences (EELISA): The Role of the EELISA Alliance in Advancing the European Universities Initiative: A Case Study of ZHAW

• Fiona Thonier, 4EU+ Head of Local Office, University of Geneva (4EU+):  Co-Creating European Higher Education: Lessons from 4EU+ 

• Ellen Krause, Head of UniBE International, University of Bern (ENLIGHT): Special features at the University of Bern? 

• Philipp Bieri, Core Officer Rector's Office, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich (ENHANCE): Being Swiss in a European Universities Alliance

    Panelists:

• Michael Gerber, Ambassador, Director General International Programmes & Organisations, State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI) , CH

• Amanda Crameri, Head of Division Higher Education, Movetia, CH

• Benedetto Lepori, Professor at Università della Svizzera italiana, CH and the European Higher Education Sector Observatory, AT

• René Graf, Vice-Rector, University of Applied Sciences and Arts of Western Switzerland (UNITA), CH

• Valentina Manzato, Una Europa Co-Senior Local Lead / Una.Futura Senior Project Lead, University of Zurich (Una Europa), CH 

• Luciano Saso, Former Deputy Rector of Sapienza University of Rome, IT

17:45 - 18:30: Poster Presentations and Drinks Reception (Foyer, Block A, Level 0/Ground Floor)

During this session, posters depicting aspects of participation of Swiss universities in the European University Alliances will be displayed and authors will be available for a talk.

Drinks and snacks will be served, kindly sponsored by the Institute of Communication and Public Policy, Università della Svizzera italiana.

19:00 onwards: Conference Dinner (Ristorante Al Lido Viale Castagnola 6, 6900 Lugano; (Participation is optional - registration and payment required)

Day 2: Tuesday, June 3rd, 2025

8:30 - 9:00: Welcome Coffee (Foyer, Block A, Level 0/Ground Floor)

09:00 - 10:15: COST Action Workshop: Building a Network of Researchers and Practitioners (Aula Polivalente, Block A, Level 0/Ground Floor)

• The interactive part of the workshop will be facilitated by members of the Scientific Committee (Agata Lambrechts, Alina Felder-Stindt, Daniela Craciun, Nadia Manzoni, & Antonin Charret)

• Focus on defining objectives, working groups, and activities for the COST Action proposal.

10:15 - 10:30: Coffee Break (Foyer, Block A, Level 0/Ground Floor)

10:30 - 11:30: Poster Session ‘EUI Alliances Showcase’ & Networking (Foyer, Block A, Level 0/Ground Floor)

11:30 - 13:00: Parallel Paper Session III

Parallel Paper Session 5: Policy and Political Innovations (Room C1.04, Block C, Level 1/ First Floor)

Chair: Nadia Manzoni (Central European University, AT)

• Jan Palmowski (The Guild of European Research-Intensive Universities, BE), Jo Angouri (University of Warwick, UK): Multilingualism, Internationalisation and European Universities

• Aleksandar Šušnjar (University of Rijeka, HR),  Ana Tomaško Obradović (University of Rijeka, HR): The European degree: added value and key success factors

• Andra Stan-Dragotesc (West University of Timisoara, RO): RO European Universities: building a Romanian community of practice around the European Universities Alliances

• María-Teresa Aceytuno Perez (University of Huelva, ES), Brigitte Kürsteiner (Bern University of Applied Sciences, CH): The European University Initiative: key transformations, challenges and opportunities. An analysis from the perspective of organisational actorhood in higher education

Parallel Paper Session 6:  Impact Assessment (Room C1.05, Block C, Level 1/ First Floor)

Chair: Jelena Brankovic (Humboldt University of Berlin, DE) 

• Teresa Carvalho (CIPES & DCSPT, University of Aveiro, PT), Maria João Rosa (CIPES & DEGEIT, University of Aveiro, PT), Estela Cunha (CIPES & DCSPT, University of Aveiro, PT): Are European Alliances institutional reforms sustainable in the future? A perspective from Portuguese stakeholders

• Dominik Antonowicz (Nicolaus Copernicus University, PL), Bartlomiej Wieckowski (University of Warsaw, PL): All Quiet on the Research Front? The impact of EUI on the international research collaboration

• Angela Kipf (Otto-von-Guericke-University Magdeburg, EU GREEN European Alliance): Assessing Sustainability in European University Alliances: A Framework for SDG Impact Evaluation

• Francesco Girotti (University of Bologna, IT & CHEI, Università Cattolica Sacro Cuore Milan, IT): Transforming Higher Education: Exploring the impact of the EUI on Internationalisation of participating Institutions

13:00 - 14:00: Lunch & Networking (Foyer, Block A, Level 0/Ground Floor)

14:00 - 15:30: Key Panel Discussion: Future Directions (Aula Polivalente, Block A, Level 0/Ground Floor)

Chair: Jan Palmowski (The Guild of European Research-Intensive Universities, BE)

• Ariane de Gayardon, Daniela Craciun, Ben Jongbloed, Harry de Boer (University of Twente, NL): Covering the Cost: National funding of European University Alliances

• Enora Bennetot Pruvot (European University Association, BE): Strategies & frameworks for sustainable European universities alliance

• Sebastian Stride (SIRIS Academic, ES) Collective authorship by SIRIS Academic: The European Universities Conundrum

• Fernando Galán (Arqus, ES), Melinda Szabo (Higher Education Expert, BE): Managing Change in the European Universities Initiative: Transforming Higher Education through Cross-Border Collaboration

• Jaime Llorca (CHARM EU Office, University of Barcelona, ES), Mireia Reus (CHARM EU Office, University of Barcelona, ES), Sergio Villanueva Baselga (CHARM EU Office, University of Barcelona, ES): Catalysts of Change? How the European University Alliances Contribute to Advance the EU Research and Innovation Priorities

15:30 - 16:00: Closing Keynote (Aula Polivalente, Block A, Level 0/Ground Floor)

Keynote presentation: European University Alliances - Balancing Exploration and Exploitation followed by a summary of key takeaways and future directions by Symposium Rapporteur Bjørn Stensaker (University of Oslo, NO (Circle U.))

We are excited to welcome both presenters and non-presenting participants to the EUI Symposium! 

Presenters will receive their unique registration link directly via email.

For those interested in attending without presenting, we have a limited number of spaces available. To ensure fair allocation due to space constraints, we kindly ask that you do not look for a public registration link.

Instead, please express your interest by emailing [email protected] with the subject line 'EUI Symposium Registration Request'. In your email, please tell us briefly why you would like to attend the Symposium.

We will be reviewing requests as they are received and will send a registration link directly to successful applicants until all places are filled.

Fees

A nominal registration fee will be charged to contribute towards the provision of lunch and refreshments during the Symposium. We are committed to keeping this cost to a minimum to ensure the event remains accessible.

In addition, attendees will have the option to join us for dinner at Restaurant Al Lido on June 2nd, which will involve a separate charge.

Please see below for the specific details regarding the registration fee and the cost of the optional dinner.

There are two levels of fees: first, for the presenting participants, and second, for those without presentation.

Presenter fees:

• Registration Only - Reduced Fee (CHF 20.00) (Students, Early Career Researchers, Unemployed/Self-Employed Researchers, LMIC Residents)

• Registration Only - Full Fee (CHF 50.00) (Practitioners, Senior Scholars, Others)

• Registration & Symposium Dinner - Reduced Fee (CHF 90.00) (Students, Early Career Researchers, Unemployed/Self-Employed Researchers, LMIC Residents)

• Registration & Symposium Dinner - Full Fee (CHF 120.00) (Practitioners, Senior Scholars, Others)

Participant (non-presenting) fees:

• Registration Only - Reduced Fee (CHF 45.00) (Students, Early Career Researchers, Unemployed/Self-Employed Researchers, LMIC Residents)

• Registration Only - Full Fee (CHF 75.00) (Practitioners, Senior Scholars, Others)

• Registration & Symposium Dinner - Reduced Fee (CHF 115.00) (Students, Early Career Researchers, Unemployed/Self-Employed Researchers, LMIC Residents)

• Registration & Symposium Dinner - Full Fee (CHF 145.00) (Practitioners, Senior Scholars, Others)

Payment

• With the online payment, you will receive a confirmation via e-mail as soon as you complete the payment.
• If you pay by bank transfer, you will receive an invoice via e-mail (within ten working days from the registration date). Please ensure that you enter the address and any additional information for the invoice on your registration form.
  If it is your university/employer that will pay the fees, please enter their details so we can issue an invoice using the correct details.
  If making the payment from abroad, please check with your bank whether you will be charged fees for the international transfer - please add that amount to your transfer so that we receive the amount requested.

Cancellation

In case of a change in your circumstances, cancellation and full refund are possible until the 19th of May.

Lugano is located in the Southern part of Switzerland (Italian speaking) not far away from the Italian border and Milano.

By train:  

Lugano is a stop on the main European North-South route and can be reached from many cities in the northern and southern parts of Europe by direct day or night train connections.  

By plane: 

• The quickest way to get to Lugano from most places abroad will be through Milano Malpensa
  There is a train connection (S50,~every 30 minutes) that will bring you to Lugano directly in just under 2 hours. Find more information here.
• As an alternative you might consider flying to Zurich and use the train to travel to Lugano; this would be a 3-hour ride. There is at least one fast Intercity train directly from Zurich Airport to Lugano every hour.

By bus: 

FlixBus is the German company operating in the bus transport sector, which offers an extensive network of routes in Italy and Europe.

The Lugano Stop is 10 min from USI (by bus)

Find more information here

By car:

Lugano is on one of the main European North-South routes and can be reached from most European cities without leaving the motorway.

In Switzerland, vehicles and trailers pay to use motorways and dual carriageways by buying a motorway sticker or ‘vignette’.

Find more information here.

Below you will find a list of reasonably priced hotels that are located within a walking distance of the University.

Continental ParkHotel  

You can book the room directly on the hotel's website (where you can also check the room availability), by emailing [email protected], or by calling +41 91 966 11 12. 

Services:

• Breakfast buffet
• Swimming pool
• Free wi-fi
• Free private parking

Central location near the main train station.
Address: Via Basilea 28, Lugano (20' walking distance from USI)

Hotel City Lugano

Services:

• Free coffee, tea, and water in your bedroom
• Free ticket for public transports in Ticino
• 30% discount for Splash & Spa Rivera

Address: Via G.Bagutti 4, Lugano (6’ walking distance from USI)

Hotel Walter au Lac

All bedrooms with lake view!

Address: Viale Cattaneo, Lugano (20' walking distance from USI).

Hotel Lugano Dante

In the city center: Piazza Cioccaro 5, Lugano (15' walking distance from USI).

Hotel Lido Seegarten

Address: Viale Castagnola 24, Lugano (15' walking distance from USI).

Hotel Zurigo Downtown

Breakfast buffet included.

Address: Corso Pestalozzi 12, Lugano (12' walking distance from USI).

Hotel Atlantico

Small family hotel, located between Monte Bré and the lake. 

Address: Via Concordia 12, Lugano (16' walking distance from USI).

Hotel Ceresio

Located between USI and the city centre.

Address: Via Serafino Balestra 19, Lugano (5’ walking distance from USI)

A full list of hotels can be found at Lugano tourism, Ticino tourism or Swiss Hotels.

General information:

• Lugano: Lugano.ch; Lugano Region Official Tourism Office
• Ticino: Ticino information and tourism
• Switzerland: MySwitzerland

Transportation:

• Train: Swiss Federal Railways
• Ask your hotel for the Ticino ticket (free public transport during your stay)
• Buses: Lugano Public transportation, Regional Buses
• Public bikes

Events:

• For an up-to-date list of events in Lugano visit Agendalugano, Lugano region, Culture

• Don't miss our local gems - Lugano museums: Museo d’arte della Svizzera italiana (MASI Lugano) and Ticino Centre of Contemporary Art