EUTOPIA Week at CY Cergy Paris Université: A Catalyst for Innovation and Collaboration Across Europe

Cergy, 29 October 2024 — This November, CY Cergy Paris Université will host a transformative event that promises to deepen our European university alliance initiative: the 10th EUTOPIA Week, under the motto Entrepreneurship for IMPACT. Running from November 25th to 29th, this gathering will bring together students, academics, and university leaders from across Europe to tackle educational, entrepreneurial, and research-related challenges. With a focus on fostering impact-driven entrepreneurial links with academia, the week will blend engaging public presentations and closed-door discussions. The first three days agenda was disclosed and is full of promises.

Since the inception of the EUTOPIA alliance in December 2019, the biannual EUTOPIA Weeks have served as pivotal milestones. These gatherings facilitate dialogue among stakeholders ranging from senior management to field practitioners, allowing them to reflect on the challenges and promises of creating a new paradigm for higher education institutions. The EUTOPIA alliance embodies the concept of cross-border collaboration among universities that, with the support of European funding, are endeavouring to reimagine the university of the future across the continent. By exploring the pooling of resources—spanning infrastructure, educational initiatives, and research efforts—these institutions aim to enhance their local impact and visibility. The ultimate goal is a transformation of European universities, many of which have become increasingly overshadowed on the global stage, into robust and appealing centres for higher education and research. EUTOPIA is part of the inaugural group of 17 European university alliances endorsed by the European Commission, a number that has now grown to 64. Notably, CY Cergy Paris Université is among the founding members of this ambitious initiative.

EUTOPIA Week will kick off with an official opening ceremony welcoming all participants and creating a spirit of collaboration. A presentation on the current status of EUTOPIA will follow. University presidents, advisory council members, and work package leads will share their achievements and outline future strategies. Meanwhile, an open session will introduce the Young Leaders Academy (YLA), showcasing how European universities cultivate leadership and excellence among their students. The day will culminate in council meetings focused on specific operational aspects of the EUTOPIA network, setting a solid foundation for future discussions.

The second day will brainstorm to deepen the entrepreneurial conversation with thematic panel discussions in different venues. Covering topics such as sustainable development, student-driven entrepreneurship, and fostering initiatives in the humanities, these sessions will highlight the essential role of universities as hubs for societal change. During closed meetings, university representatives and council leaders will collaborate on broader strategies, laying the groundwork for future projects within the alliance. The day will conclude with focused sessions on leadership training and strategic discussions to implement collaborative action plans by early 2025.

On the third day, interactive sessions will bring the entrepreneurship discussions to a close, focusing on practical steps necessary for implementing impact-driven initiatives within each institution. A significant workshop on “Responsible Internationalisation” will explore how European universities can responsibly expand their global footprint. Furthermore, Dr Bernard Hugonnier, former OECD Deputy Director for Education, will present an address titled “The EU’s Role in the New World Order,” contextualising the alliance’s work within the more extensive global education and cooperation landscape.

EUTOPIA Week will carry on the following Thursday and Friday with technical meetings involving project managers, as well as two important Research Days that will bring together, amongst others, all of EUTOPIA's vice-presidents in charge of Research & Innovation to reflect on the alliance's future orientations in those areas.

As EUTOPIA Week concludes, CY Cergy Paris Université and its partners should emerge with renewed commitments and actionable steps to establish a shared vision for European higher education.