Representatives of the University of Gdańsk represented the SEA-EU alliance at the European Association for International Education (EAIE) trade fair and conference in Toulouse. The event attracted more than 7,000 people and over 200 exhibitors. Representatives of the coastal alliance showcased the uniqueness of SEA-EU during sessions, panels, and many talks at the consortium's stand.
At this year's conference and fair, the European Universities Initiative was one of the main themes of the event. More than 20 alliances exhibited at EAIE, with their stands symbolically surrounding the space owned by the European Commission. This is the first time that so many European Universities have exhibited at EAIE!
‘When we join forces, we can be the best in the world. That is the ambition of the European University Alliances,' stressed Vanessa Debiais-Sainton, Director of the European Commission's unit responsible for higher education.
The University of Gdańsk was represented by Vice-Rector for Cooperation and Internationalisation dr hab. Anna Jurkowska-Zeidler, prof. UG, Director of the Office for Cooperation and Internationalisation Magdalena Sawicz, SEA-EU Project Manager Marlena Rutkowska-Myzyk and SEA-EU Office Manager Natalia Lubińska. The conference was also attended by many members of the SEA-EU academic community, including the Vice-Rector for Internationalisation of the University of Cádiz, prof. Marcela Iglesias, and the Vice-Rector for Cooperation and Internationalisation of the University of Algarve, prof. Alexandra Teodósio.
The University of Gdańsk's stand was part of the National Agency for Academic Exchange (NAWA) Study in Poland space. UG representatives discussed future cooperation with universities from Indonesia, Egypt and South Korea.
During the panel entitled ‘Internationalisation and Alliances of European Universities’, prof. Alexandra Teodósio shared good practices in cooperation with African countries. SEA-EU aims to create a mutual partnership with African institutions. The alliance achieves this goal by organising events such as the SEA-EU Congress, where African and European universities define common values through the signing of the Global Gateway Declaration, among other things.
Former SEA-EU Director General Laura Howard presented the coastal alliance's initiatives to date with a local dimension. In the second phase of the initiative, SEA-EU is explicitly focusing on strengthening regional cooperation through the creation of bodies such as the Council of Cities or the Council of Ports. At the University of Gdańsk, we can see local change through, among other things, the Green UG programme, which will soon see the creation of a community garden and living herbariums on campus.
The EAIE fair and conference is one of the biggest events dedicated to European education. Between 17 and 20 September in Toulouse, more than 7,000 visitors from all over the world were able to exchange experiences on digital technologies or how to implement sustainable practices. During all these talks, panels, meetings and workshops, the European Universities Initiative resounded as one of the most important undertakings of the European Commission and the future of European education.
