Another step towards a European University

New convention of the "European Cross-Border University" signed: Rectors and presidents of the partner universities sharpen profile for the alliance "European Cross-Border University" coordinated by Chemnitz University of Technology - Universities in Nova Gorica and Udine enrich the alliance

Under the coordination of Chemnitz University of Technology, an alliance of ten European universities seeks to provide impulses for successful cross-border exchange and transfer in Europe as the European Cross-Border University called "Across" - and together become a European University within the framework of the EU program "Partnerships for Excellence - European Universities".

A further step towards this goal is the signing of a new "European University Convention" at a meeting of the Rector's Board on 7 March 2022. The convention provides for the name extension to be changed from "UNIVERS" to "Across" and sharpens the strategic profile of the association.

"These times in particular show how important international cooperation and networking are. With the Across university network, we not only want to promote international university networking and become a European university, but also contribute to peaceful exchange in Europe," says the President of Chemnitz University of Technology, Prof. Dr. Gerd Strohmeier. "We have invested a lot in our consortium over the past two and a half years and have further intensified our cooperation. With a sharpened common vision of the European Cross-Border University, we feel well prepared for the years to come," says Prof. Dr. Maximilian Eibl, Vice President for Academic and International Affairs at Chemnitz University of Technology.

Partners of the alliance are the Bialystok University of Technology (Poland), the University of Craiova (Romania), the University of Girona (Spain), the University of Lleida (Spain), the University of Perpignan Via Domitia (France), the Rezekne Academy of Technologies (Latvia), the University of Ruse (Bulgaria) as well as two newly admitted universities: the University of Udine (Italy) and the University of Nova Gorica (Slovenia). This means that universities from both European Capitals of Culture 2025 are represented in the consortium, as Nova Gorica together with the Italian Goriza is the Slovenian European Capital of Culture 2025.

"Across": sharpened strategic orientation at the European level

With the sharpening of the strategic orientation of the European alliance, "Across" stands not only for an international bridge-building, but also for a bridge-building between the public, politics, science, and economy. As universities of the Capitals of Culture 2025, Chemnitz University of Technology and the University of Nova Gorica also have the special opportunity to contribute their joint experience in bringing together science, politics, business, and society in the preparation of the Capital of Culture year to the benefit of all participants in "Across".

Another essential goal of "Across" is to develop a framework for efficient cross-border, transnational, and interregional cooperation in the field of higher education and research. To this end, the transnational alliance also aims to establish cooperation and administrative structures for a European University.

Training experts for future transnational challenges in the border area - developing "communities of practice”

“Across" aims to train experts who can initiate and shape cross-border projects and initiatives at the social, economic, and scientific levels. In this way, reference programs in the areas of higher education, research, knowledge and technology transfer, and value creation are to be created, which consider the special circumstances and challenges in the border region.

In line with the "Across" approach, this model envisages, among other things, exchange programs for students and researchers, the development of curricula geared to the special requirements close to the border, and the establishment of strong research networks. To this end, relevant public institutions will also be specifically involved. Several so-called "communities of practice" are to be created, which will bundle the expertise of the members in various fields. 

Background: "Across" - The European Cross-Border University

Since 2019, Chemnitz University of Technology has been working intensively with its European partner institutions to jointly promote cross-border exchange and transfer. Important milestones on the way to becoming a European university included a joint strategy workshop in Chemnitz, a joint organization of the "European Cross-Border Doctorials", a joint Winter School program, and the signing of the new convention of the "European Cross-Border University”.

All of the higher education institutions participating in “Across” have in common their location in border regions. They are therefore familiar with the resulting requirements and challenges for higher education: In border regions, there is a significantly enhanced need for mobility for the common education area and labor market, which, however, is confronted with inequalities in the legal, social, and educational systems as well as cultural and language barriers. At the same time, according to a 2016 study by the European Research Network for Spatial Development and Territorial Cohesion, these so-called cross-border regions of the European Union comprise almost 40 per cent of the area, 30 per cent of the population and the gross domestic product of the EU. The regional areas of tension are thus becoming core challenges for the European Union.

Under the theme "building collaborative leadership for cross-border territories", the aim of "Across" is to overcome these borders and form a common European education area with over 100,000 students and almost 10,000 employees. Across" is intended to serve as a model for other cross-border regions in Europe and beyond, which can benefit from the solution strategies that have been developed.

For further information on "Across", please contact Dr. Benny Liebold, Head of the International Office at Chemnitz University of Technology, phone +49 371 531-38543, e-mail benny.liebold@iuz.tu-chemnitz.de.

Mario Steinebach
14.03.2022

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