EUTOPIA to Attend the 2025 Arqus Annual Conference

The Arqus European University Alliance is set to host its 5th Annual Conference from April 2–4, 2025, at Leipzig University, under the theme “European Universities at the Crossroads.” This event will bring together leaders, academics, students, and key stakeholders from across European higher education institutions to discuss the evolving landscape of university alliances and their role in shaping a more resilient and inclusive European Education Area.

The conference will serve as a platform for collaboration and strategic discussions on the future of the European Universities Initiative. The open plenary sessions will tackle issues such as legal frameworks, research collaboration, and the integration of digital infrastructures.

EUTOPIA Representation at the Conference

As a leading European University Alliance, EUTOPIA will be actively participating in key discussions at the conference. Two EUTOPIA representatives will be attending to share their insights and expertise:

• Bálint Markó, Pro-Rector of the Babeș-Bolyai University and coordinator of EUTOPIA_HEALTH, will be a speaker in Plenary Session II: Research strategies and collaborative research projects within European University Alliances on April 2. With his extensive experience in education and research policy, Markó will contribute to discussions on building sustainable research networks, funding challenges, and the role of academics in driving impactful research collaborations. The session will explore how alliances can foster cross-border research and navigate governance complexities, with EUTOPIA_HEALTH serving as a key example of how collaborative frameworks can drive progress in global health challenges.
• Sebastian Schöttler, coordinator of Digital Transformation for EUTOPIA MORE at Technische Universität Dresden, will represent EUTOPIA in Plenary Session III: Common digital infrastructures as tools and resources for European University Alliances on April 3. His work on digital transformation within EUTOPIA will bring valuable insights for enhancing interoperability, digital sovereignty, and the future of digital frameworks in higher education.

Establishing digital infrastructures has become vital in higher education as in private enterprises and industry. Alliances such as Arqus and EUTOPIA are focused on paving the way for the European University of the future with terabits. Similarly, collaborative research on health and wellbeing highlights the strength and potential of advanced cooperation in addressing essential societal consequences of global phenomena such as climate change or pandemics. Both are good examples of the impact of university alliances after only five years of existence.

For more information and access to the full conference programme, click here.