3 December 2025
Brussels, 28 November 2025 — The YUFE Alliance concluded its flagship event Universities with Purpose with a strong message: Europe’s universities must move beyond statements of intent and embed societal engagement, knowledge valorisation, and inclusive leadership into their core structures if they want to remain relevant in a rapidly changing world.
Held at the Maison Irène et Frédéric Joliot-Curie and co-hosted with France Universités, the forum gathered representatives from universities, the European Commission, NGOs, cities, and industry. It provided not only inspiration, but concrete direction for the next phase of European collaboration in higher education.
Clear Signals from the European Commission
In an opening intervention, Vanessa Debiais-Sainton (European Commission) underscored that European University Alliances are now essential pillars of Europe’s talent and innovation strategy. She called for the shift from pilot projects to systemic implementation, backed by sustainable funding and impact frameworks that national ministries can recognize and support.
Afterward, Daniel Mouchard-Zay, President of Université Sorbonne Nouvelle & President of YUFE, shared an inspiring reflection, setting the floor for the day.
Reflections from Panels: What Needs to Change
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Civic Engagement Must Become a Structural Academic Mission
Speakers stressed that community engagement is scholarship, not charity, and must be institutionally rewarded. Stronger incentives and evaluation systems to recognize engaged research and teaching.
Student presenter from Universidad Carlos III de Madrid, Ines Huergo González, demonstrated how such engagement transforms both learners and communities, offering a model for future YUFE-wide civic pathways.
Panelists: Zoran Grozdanov – My Place under the Sun. Nathalie Ummels – Refugee Project Maastricht. Bojana Ćulum Ilić – University of Rijeka. Moderator: Aleksandra Śnieć – Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń.
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Knowledge Valorisation Depends on Culture, Not Only Tools
Speakers agreed that universities must rethink doctoral and postdoctoral training to prepare researchers for diverse, socially engaged careers.
The panel on co-creation with industry highlighted the need for Entrepreneurial mindsets across all disciplines, including humanities and social sciences.
Panellists: Gareth O’Neill – Technopolis Group. Barbara Tan – University of Antwerp. Roger Heijmans – E³UDRES² Alliance. Moderator: Anastasia Constantinou – University of Cyprus
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Inclusive Leadership Requires Strategic Courage
The final panel reframed kindness as an active, ethical, and courageous leadership strategy in an era of polarization. Key reflections included that the trust is built through transparent decision-making and value-driven leadership. Universities must protect spaces for dialogue while drawing clear boundaries against extremism
Panelists warned that without intentional leadership, universities risk losing public trust, a theme echoed in the closing remarks.
Panellists: Snježana Prijić Samaržija – University of Rijeka. Aleksandar Šušnjar – EQAR. Karen Bush – Former YUFE ED&I lead and HR professional. Moderator: Daria Glavan – University of Rijeka
A Call for Adaptation: Closing Reflections
Tasos Christofides, Rector of the University of Cyprus, closed the day by urging universities to embrace adaptation with both responsibility and courage.
He identified several strategic priorities emerging from the forum:
- Embedding the Third Mission in governance, not treating it as an add-on
- Preparing students not only for the labour market, but for democratic life
His final reminder resonated across the room:
“The alternative to adaptation is irrelevance.”
It was a fitting close to a day marked by reflection, challenge, and optimism. Our sincere thanks go to everyone who participated, both in person and online, and contributed to such meaningful exchanges.
We also extend our gratitude to France Universités for generously hosting the event and providing the space for this vital network to grow—an essential resource in today’s interconnected world.
