Dear members, partners, and friends of the ChallengeEU University Alliance,
Welcome to our new newsletter, your invitation to engage with the work of ChallengeEU. We are an ambitious alliance of 9 European Universities dedicated to building a modern European education network and forging deep connections across our 9 institutions.
Our shared mission is to co-create solutions for the critical challenges of our time. This work extends beyond academia; we are actively partnering with diverse societal stakeholders, companies, and political actors within our regions. We firmly believe that collaboration is the key to shaping a positive future for Europe.
This newly designed newsletter will periodically share our alliance’s initiatives and progress. We hope to inspire discussion and invite you to collaborate with us.
We look forward to exchanging ideas with you.
Tobias Hagen, Managing Director of ChallengeEU
Updates from ChallengeEU
Upcoming Events
Erasmus+ International Week at LBTU
The Annual International Week is a collaborative academic and cultural event that brings together international partners for teaching, exchange, and networking. It is hosted by the Faculty of Economics and Social Development of the Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies. The programme will begin on Monday (11th of May) with the arrival of participants and a welcome session introducing
ISCBE 2026: Article submissions are open
9th International Scientific Conference on Business and Economics (ISCBE 2026), organized by the Faculty of Business and Economics, South East European University, and held as a hybrid event on 11–12 June 2026 at the European University of Valencia, Spain. This conference provides a forward-looking and interdisciplinary platform for scholars, policymakers, and practitioners to explore how economies can become resilient, competitive,
CBL and DEI at UEL International Week
As part of UEL’s International Week and within the scope of the ChallengeEU Alliance, two online events will be offered to promote learning, reflection, and collaboration around key societal challenges. These sessions aim to support participants in strengthening their competencies in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), as well as in understanding the role of image, representation, and social participation in
ChallengeEU 1st Annual Conference 2026
This conference offers a unique opportunity to connect with academic leaders, researchers, students, and stakeholders from across Europe who are committed to transforming higher education and addressing societal challenges through collaboration and innovation.
BIP: Skills for Success and Global Communication. Registration is open
The Erasmus+ Blended Intensive Programme (BIP), organised by Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies (LBTU), is an international learning experience designed to strengthen students’ key transversal and 21st-century competencies for academic, professional, and global environments. The programme focuses on developing intercultural communication, critical and evidence-based thinking, media and information literacy, and effective teamwork through structured international collaboration and guided
Hochschule Offenburg: The POSITIVE impact Challenge
The POSITIVE Impact Challenge is taking place between 14-16 April 2026, and is inviting social organizations, members of civil society and industry partners to come together with students for co-creation activities. It will take place in the form of a hackathon, where a design sprint will be carried out over the course of 3 days, prototypes will be developed and
News from our Universities
MIUN
Building Bridges: Collaboration for Impact (BIP) has officially started!
Collaboration for Impact, a Staff BIP bringing together representatives from across Europe to strengthen collaboration with external stakeholders and enhance societal impact trough joint learning and exchange
UWM
Scientific Wednesdays at UWM
Do the terms hate, hate speech, and hate crimes mean the same thing? Where are the limits of freedom of expression—and what consequences can we face for crossing them? Participants of another meeting in the “Scientific Wednesdays at UWM” series had the chance to explore these questions. The guest speaker was Dr Maciej Duda from the Faculty of Law and
HSO
StuCon advises companies with student expertise
The newly founded student-run consulting service StuCon at Hochschule Offenburg combines theory and practice. Around 30 students, mainly business psychology majors, offer analyses, workshops and individual consulting projects for companies and those interested in starting a business. The association dates back to the 1990s and is currently managed by Charlotte Feller, Frederike Nopper and Marcel Krübel. Interdisciplinary teams work systematically
UEL
European University debates the end of lifelong jobs at BTL
The European University hosted this Wednesday, the 25th, as part of BTL – Better Tourism Lisbon Travel Market, a roundtable dedicated to the theme “Educating for a World That No Longer Exists” and to the challenges of training and talent management in the Tourism sector. In a context marked by digital transformation, evolving professional expectations and profound generational shifts, the
FHNW
Smart Turn-Assist: Inclusive Innovation from an FHNW Student
How can swimming become more independent and safe for people with visual impairments? This question inspired Selina Przyjemski, graduate in Electrical and Information Technology. She developed a smart turn-assist system that helps blind and visually impaired swimmers orient themselves in the pool without needing a guide at the poolside. Her work has now been awarded the prize for Best Bachelor
LBTU
Visit of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Delegation to the Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies
On 2 February, the Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies (LBTU) welcomed a delegation from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Latvia led by Minister of Foreign Affairs Baiba Braže. During the visit, the delegation ознакомed itself with the University’s research, innovation, and infrastructure potential and participated in discussions on future cooperation opportunities. A seminar on the European Union’s
SEEU
Accreditation Board Held Its Regular Meeting at SEEU
The Higher Education Accreditation Board, operating within the Agency for Quality in Higher Education (AQHE), held its regular meeting today at the premises of South East European University. Hosting this meeting represents an important recognition for our institution and confirms the University’s active role in national quality assurance processes and the development of higher education in the country. South East
UEV
Universidad Europea de Valencia hosts the meeting of the Strategy Board of the European alliance ChallengeEU
On Tuesday, Universidad Europea de Valencia hosted the meeting of the Strategy Board of ChallengeEU, the highest decision-making body of the European alliance of universities of which the Valencian institution is a member. This meeting brought together the rectors of the nine universities that make up the network alongside UEV at the Turia Campus: Offenburg University of Applied Sciences (Germany),
ECAM
ECAM: An International Partnership Supporting Innovation and Entrepreneurship
ECAM LaSalle and the Science and Technology Park (STeP) of Chiang Mai University are continuing their collaboration with a shared objective: to promote innovation, entrepreneurship, and international openness. At the heart of this partnership, an ambitious exchange program strengthens the ties between the two institutions. THE ELP PROGRAM: AN INCUBATOR FOR EXPERIENCE AND INITIATIVES Signed at the end of 2023,
SEEU
SEEU Marks the 24th Anniversary with a Solemn Ceremony: Broad Participation and Messages of Vision for the Future
The South East European University today held the central ceremony marking the 24th anniversary of its establishment, a solemn event that brought together rectors of public universities from the country and the region, representatives of the diplomatic corps, the business community, accreditation and quality assurance bodies in education, as well as many other distinguished guests. SEEU Rector, Prof. Dr. Sadudin
Learn more about ChallengeEU Alliance
Nine universities, one shared mission: through collaboration, innovation, and mobility, we empower students, universities, industries, and communities to shape a meaningful future.
ChallengeEU alliance is cofunded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them. Grant Agreement Number: 101124674
