On 8 October 2026, Natassia Schutz, Director of the UNamur Language Centre, and Aude Hansel, language lecturer at the University of Namur (UNamur), presented UNIVERSEH and the course Science for All: An Introduction to Science Communication during a conference-debate organized by the Academy of Research and Higher Education (ARES) in Belgium.
The event, entitled European Alliances: Looking Back and Addressing the Challenges of Academic Staff Engagement, brought together representatives from higher education institutions to discuss the achievements of the European University Alliances and explore ways to strengthen the involvement of academic staff in these ambitious initiatives.
European University Alliances are playing an increasingly important role in transforming higher education across Europe. By fostering closer cooperation between institutions, they create new opportunities for mobility, innovative teaching, international collaboration, and shared educational programmes for both students and staff.
The conference provided an opportunity to reflect on the progress made so far, the impact of the alliances, and the challenges that remain. A key focus of the discussions was the engagement of academic staff. While alliances offer valuable opportunities for professors and researchers to collaborate across borders, participation can sometimes be difficult due to institutional, organisational, and resource-related constraints.
During the event, members of the academic community shared first-hand experiences of their involvement in European alliances, highlighting both the benefits and the challenges of participation. Their testimonies were followed by a panel discussion involving administrative experts who support the implementation of alliance activities within their institutions.
The discussions addressed several important topics, including the recognition of academic engagement, the impact of emerging mobility formats on teaching and research activities, and the organisational and financial challenges faced by higher education institutions.
By presenting UNIVERSEH and the Science for All course, Natassia Schutz and Aude Hansel showcased how European alliances can foster innovative educational initiatives and create meaningful opportunities for collaboration across universities.
Watch the full conference-debate:
