A sizeable delegation from Pompeu Fabra University (UPF) participated in the 12th edition of EUTOPIA Week, which focused on the alliance’s future strategies and lines of action. Under the slogan “Together into the Future”, this EUTOPIA Week was held at The Ca’ Foscari University of Venice between 1 and 5 December.

The UPF vice-rector for Internationalization, Helena Ramalhinho, led the representation of the University at the meeting, by delegation of the rector Laia de Nadal. The vice-rector for Knowledge Transfer, Vanesa Daza, and the commissioner for EUTOPIA and International Programmes, Josep Ibáñez, also attended. In addition, teachers, students and technical, management and administration and service staff (PTGAS) involved in the different groups of the alliance played an active role. 

A kick-off bringing together the key voices of the European university space

The opening ceremony gathered representatives of the European Commission, the Italian Ministry of Universities and Research, and the FOREU4All group, which integrates the 73 European university alliances. The rector of The Ca’ Foscari University, Tiziana Lippiello, stressed the need for a collective commitment to the future of European higher education. For her part, the Italian minister of Research and Universities, Anna Maria Bernini, conveyed to the attendees a message concerning the need to advance the European Degree project to coordinate transnational university degrees with EU-wide recognition.

Also playing a role were the president of EUTOPIA and rector of the Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Jan Danckaert; the representative of the European Commission, Vanessa Debiais-Sainton; the secretary general of EUTOPIA, Mattia Bellotti; the president of the Student Council, Simone Rizzo; and the president of FOREU4All, Beatrix Busse.

A dual challenge: completing the EUTOPIA More project and preparing its continuation

The alliance is approaching a crucial moment: the successful completion of EUTOPIA More, the alliance’s strategic project running until the end of 2026; and the preparation of the new project to ensure its continuity and funding for the next two years, whose presentation is envisaged to take place before next March.

In the different alliance councils, discussions focused on the sustainability and strategic planning of the future of the alliance with a view to the new project. This has been the main topic of the discussions of the Board of Presidents, headed on this occasion by the UPF vice-rector for Internationalization, Helena Ramalhinho; of the Advisory Council, at which the UPF representative was Vicente Ortún (Department of Economics and Business); and of the Staff & Academic Council, with Ana Janic (Department of Medicine and Life Sciences), Xavier Martínez (Department of Economics and Business), and Josep Capdeferro (International Mobility delegate and the Department of Law) on behalf of the University.

In parallel, the other key theme of the different forums was how to successfully conclude the current project. In this regard, Josep Ibáñez presented the progress made by UPF, as coordinator of EUTOPIA More, and pointed out the key lines to tackle the home straight of the project, during the Status Update session, which is held at each EUTOPIA Week.

At the same time, the team of the UPF EUTOPIA Office conducted two key meetings where an analysis of the current state of the project and the actions required to bring it to a successful close were presented. In this context, Lucía Conte, EUTOPIA project manager, and Mònica Calor, financial manager, presented the state of play, the main milestones planned for 2026, and proposals to improve follow-up and monitoring mechanisms.  

Also, Student Council representatives Eudald Sanz (UPF), vice-president of the EUTOPIA Student Council, and Maria Pérez, a member representing UPF, participated actively in different meetings of this body. They contributed with opinions and proposals to ensure better student representation, among other issues. The board passed its Internal Rulebook, which will regulate its internal running. 

Another highlight of discussions at all levels was the involvement of the alliance’s Global Partners.

Young leaders and collaborative research

One of the highlights of the week was the symposium of the “Young Leaders Academy” (YLA) programme, designed to strengthen connections between young researchers of the member universities. The symposium addressed power dynamics in the academic world with the aim of giving a voice to emerging researchers, and dealt with three main issues: raising awareness of the impact of power imbalances on careers and well-being; sharing strategies and good practices to advance towards sustainable solutions; and devising a commitment by EUTOPIA to combat these inequalities. On behalf of UPF, the fellows Nausikaä El Mecky -—who was also on the organizing team— and Ieva Stoncikaité participated.

Parallel conference dedicated to seeking synergies in the field of research

In parallel to EUTOPIA Week, the EUTOPIA Research Days were held, a scientific meeting at which researchers from the alliance presented their projects and participated in matchmaking sessions. This edition, focusing on the subject of water, was attended, among others, by professor Marco Madella (Department of Humanities), representing UPF. Different representatives of the research services of the participating universities organized sessions to find partners for future projects. Eva Martín, director of the UPF Research Service, was in attendance.

A more cohesive alliance with an eye to the future

Overall, this EUTOPIA Week at the Ca’ Foscari has showcased the collective momentum that the alliance’s universities are dedicating to consolidating a more integrated, sustainable and transformative space for European higher education. The work sessions, institutional meetings, research spaces and initiatives led by both staff and students strengthened the collaborative aspect of the project and enabled progress on strategic issues for the present and future of EUTOPIA. Now, the alliance is winding up the EUTOPIA More project as it lays the groundwork for its continuation. The last stage of this journey will take place in Barcelona, where UPF will host EUTOPIA Week from 22 to 27 November 2026, thus culminating the current strategic programme.