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How is higher education transforming Europe and fostering new pathways for global collaboration? This question will be central at the 35th Annual Conference and Exhibition of the European Association of International Education (EAIE), taking place in Gothenburg on September 9-12th, 2025.
A record number of 35 European Universities alliances, nearly double the participation from 2024, will come together at this major international conference. Together, they represent over 300 higher education institutions and showcase the evolution and impact of the European Universities Initiative, a flagship programme of the European Commission launched in 2019, now encompassing a total of 65 alliances and 8 Seal of Excellence alliances.
This year’s EAIE Conference’s theme, Go-Create, resonates deeply with the mission of alliances. Through more than 20 sessions, as well as a dedicated FOREU4ALL event, they will highlight their commitment to innovation and their pioneering work in shaping inclusive and collaborative higher education models across Europe.
FOREU4ALL and participating alliances will share their approaches, results, and impact in a wide range of activities. The full list is available here.
ECIU University Alliance is also participating in the conference’s sessions this year. Learner Engagement Coordinator Ryan Wakamiya from University of Twente will be one of the speakers during the“From participants to partners: Redefining students as active co-creators” workshop.
The workshop will take place on September 9th, 09:00 – 12:30 CEST, and will share good practices on how to co-design student experiences through collaborative engagement. Ryan Wakamiya’s participation will be supported by Ellen Ivarius Andersson, ECIU Student Council Vice President from Linköping University.
As part of the programme, FOREU4ALL - the Community of Practice bringing together all European Universities alliances - will host a special joint session with the European Commission on Wednesday, September 10th, from 13:30 to 14:30. This session, aimed at institutions not currently involved in the initiative, will explore how the community’s collective knowledge and tools can benefit the broader higher education sector.
The session will feature an interactive World Café format, inviting participants to discuss practical opportunities around micro-credentials, joint degrees, skills development, and new partnership models.
European Universities alliances, ECIU University, and FOREU4ALL
European Universities alliances
Launched in 2019, the European Universities alliances are a flagship initiative of the European strategy for universities. It encompasses 65 European Universities alliances with more than 570 higher education institutions of all types, from all across Europe. .
🔗 Full list of alliances by country
ECIU University is one of the first 17 European Universities alliances to join the initiative, uniting 13 universities and connecting more than 300 000 students and 46 000 staff members at over 126 faculties. Here, learners from around the world work with teachers, researchers, societal organisations, communities and businesses to solve real-life problems, build connections, develop new skills, and make a societal impact.
FOREU4ALL provides a collaborative and supportive platform where all 65 alliances come together to share good practices, exchange experiences, and strengthen cooperation. The community fosters a deeper collaboration by facilitating learning, joint initiatives, and the dissemination of results – enhancing knowledge, skills, and effectiveness of the entire higher education sector. The FOREU4ALL project is co-funded by EU and coordinated by ECIU.
The EAIE Conference is the most important event dedicated to higher education in Europe – and the second largest in the world. Its recent venues include Rotterdam (2023), and Toulouse (2024).
🔗 More information and full programme for the EAIE Conference in Gothenburg. September 9-12th, 2025 can be found here.
