EU-CONEXUS joins wider discussion on the future of European University Alliances
EU-CONEXUS European University joined 13 other Alliances in a conference on the future of the European University Alliances, hosted by the French and German Embassies in Ireland at Europe House, Dublin on Tuesday 27th May, entitled Towards a Stronger Europe: Franco-German-Irish Perspectives on the Future of European University Alliances.
The conference, which brought universities from Ireland, France and Germany together, highlighted the strategic benefit of transnational collaboration within formal Alliances under the European Universities Initiative. All three countries have shown strong commitment to the which has been underscored by both institutional participation and financial support.
The 65 funded European Universities Alliances are integrated inter-university campuses, where students, staff, and researchers can move seamlessly—physically, virtually, or in blended formats—across partner institutions to study, train, teach, conduct research, work, and share services.
Hosted by the French and German Embassies in Ireland, with the support of the Irish Universities Association (IUA) and the Technological Universities Association (TUA), the event provided a forum for strategic dialogue on the evolving role and added value of European University Alliances in fostering cooperation, democratic resilience and deeper European integration.
Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, James Lawless TD commented: “I am delighted to join with Irish and International colleagues today to highlight and celebrate, the work of the European University Alliances. These are networks which, by their nature, drive creativity, collaboration, and innovation, strengthening the fabric of higher education across Europe. “At their heart, they represent the true spirit of the European project: not just economic cooperation, but a shared commitment to peace, understanding, and people. Research, innovation, education and skills are central to that project, and as Minister, I will continue to lead and invest in these areas, particularly as we prepare to assume the EU Presidency in 2026”.
H.E. Céline Place, French Ambassador to Ireland said “As President Macron recalled in the speech that he gave at the Sorbonne in September 2017, universities are at the heart of Europe’s ambition to be stronger, more sovereign, and more united. 8 years on, this trilateral dialogue between France, Ireland and Germany is a concrete step towards that vision of universities as political forces towards the construction of a Europe of knowledge, cooperation and shared values”.
H.E. David Gill, German Ambassador to Ireland remarked : “European University Alliances are not just an academic initiative – they are more: a bold vision for the future of knowledge, collaboration, and identity in the European Union. Germany has embraced this vision wholeheartedly”.
In the lead-up to Ireland’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union in the second half of 2026, the conference will explore pivotal questions about the long-term future and sustainability of these Alliances beyond 2027, including how these Alliances can support strategic European priorities such as competitiveness, sovereignty, technological preparedness, etc. Key elements for these, which will also be discussed, include joint degree development, funding strategies, mobility, skills and innovation ecosystems, and the added value for students in engaging in these European University Alliances.
The SETU delegation at the event: L-R Dr Mike Kinsella, Academic Lead for EU-CONEXUS at SETU; Dr Claire Doran, EU-CONEXUS Education Co-Lead at SETU; Siobhan Rudden, EU-CONEXUS Institutional Coordinator for SETU; Ashkan Dehghan, SETU PhD student and EU-CONEXUS Student Board member; David Denieffe, Vice-President for Student Experience SETU and Chair of Academic Council for EU-CONEXUS
