Towards a Broader Alliance: New Memorandum of Understanding Signed

Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies hosted meetings of the ChallengeEU Strategy Board and Academic Board. Regular dialogue between the Alliance’s governing bodies was essential for turning shared ambitions into coordinated actions and strengthening cooperation across institutions.

During the meetings, ChallengeEU representatives are discussing the Alliance’s achievements to date, as well as current risks and challenges, and future priorities for cooperation and development. Board members are being informed about the progress of the Alliance’s implementation, its key results, and issues requiring joint attention and solutions.

A key moment of the day is the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the ChallengeEU and Zaporizhzhia Polytechnic National University, a modern, multidisciplinary, innovation-oriented scientific and educational complex in the southeastern region of Ukraine.

The agreement reflects a shared commitment to strengthening international academic collaboration and creating new opportunities for joint initiatives in education, research and innovation. The signing of the Memorandum of Understanding adds an important international dimension to these discussions and opens the way for exploring new forms of academic cooperation beyond the current Alliance structure.

The universities intend to develop cooperation in areas aligned with their respective priorities, capacities and applicable rules, including in particular:

• academic and institutional networking within the ChallengeEU Alliance;
• participation in relevant alliance activities, including thematic interest groups, working groups, meetings, workshops, conferences, and other collaborative formats;
• development of joint educational activities, including joint courses, intensive programmes, blended and virtual learning formats, guest lectures, and other collaborative teaching and learning initiatives;
• preparation and implementation of joint research, innovation, and knowledge-sharing activities;
• development of joint projects and project proposals under European and other international funding programmes.

The decision to cooperate with Zaporizhzhia Polytechnic National University reflects the shared belief that stronger links between universities create real added value. It also builds on the close working relationships that several alliance members already have with Zaporizhzhia Polytechnic National University, whose academic profile and institutional priorities are well aligned with the mission, goals and activities of the Alliance.

Closer cooperation will open up further opportunities in education, research, innovation and academic exchange. The Memorandum also provides for the possibility of Zaporizhzhia Polytechnic National
University joining the ChallengeEU at a later stage as an associated partner, in line with the applicable rules and procedures of the Erasmus+ Programme and the European Universities initiative.

Let’s get to know each other better!

Zaporizhzhia Polytechnic National University is a university with more than 13,000 students, including international students from around the world. Prospective students can choose from 12 faculties, 47 departments and 161 study programmes at Bachelor’s, Master’s and PhD level.

The university sees its mission as contributing to the development of the Ukrainian state and society, as well as the south-eastern region of Ukraine, by educating highly qualified and nationally conscious professionals, creating new knowledge and technologies, providing opportunities and conditions for personal development, and conducting applied research, expert analysis and consultations to support public authorities, local governments, enterprises, institutions and organisations.