In a landmark event held last week in the amphitheatre of the Sorbonne in Paris, French President Emmanuel Macron and the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen officially launched the new “Choose Europe for Science” strategy. The initiative aims to attract leading scientists, researchers, and innovators from the United States and around the world to Europe, reinforcing the continent’s role as a global hub for research and innovation.
President von der Leyen highlighted the core values underpinning the strategy, stating, “We believe that diversity is an asset for humanity and the driving force behind science. It is one of the world’s most precious assets and must be protected.”
Immediately following the launch, a high-level workshop entitled “The Future of European University Alliances: Progress and Developments” brought together representatives from numerous European University Alliances, along with senior officials from the cabinets of European Commissioners Iliana Ivanova, E. Zaharieva, and R. Minzatu. The workshop provided a platform to reflect on the achievements of the Alliances to date, while also addressing ongoing challenges and opportunities for long-term collaboration in research and education.
Among the key contributors were Prof. Dr. Ludovic Thilly (Université de Poitiers, member of the EC2U Alliance) and Univ.-Prof. Dr. Beatrix Busse (Universität zu Köln, member of the EUniWell Alliance). Representing EMERGE at this important gathering were Anne Goarzin, Vice-President for EMERGE at Université Rennes 2, and Project Manager Lucie Milcent. Their participation enabled a valuable exchange with vice-rectors and rectors from across Europe, offering insight into both shared successes and the evolving landscape of European higher education cooperation.
Discussions covered a range of critical topics, including the concept of a European degree and the legal structures necessary for sustaining Alliances in the long term. The dialogue reaffirmed the role of European University Alliances as agents of stability and as key instruments for building robust, inclusive, and sustainable academic networks across Europe and beyond.
For more information about the “Choose Europe” strategy, please visit the official European Commission page:
https://commission.europa.eu/topics/research-and-innovation/choose-europe_en