UWM Celebrated Joining the ChallengeEU Alliance
The University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn (UWM) has officially joined the ChallengeEU alliance, marking a significant step in its international development. The official celebration took place on Wednesday, 5 March 2025, at the university’s main campus in Olsztyn. During the event, Prof. Jerzy Przyborowski, Rector of UWM, formally presented appointment certificates to the university team members engaged in the project. As he emphasized, participation in the ChallengeEU alliance represents a strategic opportunity not only for the university itself but also for the broader development of the region. The meeting served as an occasion to introduce the vision and objectives of ChallengeEU to the university community and regional stakeholders. Prof. Paweł Wielgosz, UWM’s Coordinator for European Universities, highlighted the several years of intensive preparations that led to the university’s inclusion in the alliance. He also underlined the significance of this achievement, noting that currently, fewer than 10 percent of higher education institutions in Europe are members of university alliances under the European Universities initiative. The event brought together representatives from local government, business sectors, and non-governmental organisations, who expressed their enthusiasm and support for this international academic collaboration. Joining ChallengeEU opens new paths for innovation, mobility, and excellence in education — and UWM is proud to be part of this shared European vision.
ChallengeEU Alliance Participates in High-Level Brussels Meeting on the Future of European Universities
The ChallengeEU Alliance proudly took part in the high-level event “Shaping the Future: European Universities Alliances for a Competitive Europe”, held this week in Brussels. The event brought together representatives from all 65 European University Alliances, along with Seal of Excellence holders, Members of the European Parliament, national and regional EU authorities, leading higher education stakeholders, student associations, and private-sector innovators. In a closed session dedicated to university leadership, the ChallengeEU Alliance was represented by Prof. Anne Najderek, Managing Director of ChallengeEU, and Prof. Stephan Trahasch, Rector of Hochschule Offenburg. The meeting serves as a platform to reflect on the progress of the European Universities Initiative, identify ongoing challenges, and explore strategies for its long-term success. Discussions also focus on the role of university alliances in strengthening Europe’s sustainable growth, global competitiveness, democratic resilience, and social justice. Participation in this forum is a valuable opportunity for ChallengeEU to exchange experiences, gain insights, and build lasting partnerships with other European alliances.
