The European Commission's latest report on the European Universities Initiative describes the key activities of all 65 alliances. The document recognises the achievements of the SEA-EU coastal alliance related to, among other things, student engagement, the pursuit of green and digital transformation and the organisation of two oceanographic campaigns: in 2022 and 2024. From the numerous statements and information in the report, the European Universities programme emerges as a flagship initiative and the future of European education.

‘With 65 alliances involving more than 570 higher education institutions from 35 countries, the initiative fosters unprecedented European cooperation across borders, disciplines, languages and cultures,’ writes European Commission Vice-President Roxana Mînzatu in her introduction to the report. ‘Students, academics and researchers benefit from mobility, rich study opportunities and pioneering transnational innovative programmes. These alliances not only equip young people with the skills, competencies and knowledge needed to lead the green and digital transformation but also position Europe as the best place to study in the world.’

The report entitled ‘Outcomes and Transformational Potential of the European Universities Initiative’ summarises 5 years of the Erasmus+ flagship initiative. It describes the activities of the alliances that were established in the first edition of the programme in 2019, as well as those younger ones taking their first steps in building a unique international partnership.

The SEA-EU alliance is mentioned in the sections on:

• student engagement and building a sense of ownership of the alliance among students;
• building collaboration between partner universities and stakeholders through the SEA-EU Society Hub platform;
• a rich catalogue of research groups and shared infrastructure to forge collaborations between partner university researchers;
• the pursuit of green and digital transformation through the Observatory for Sustainable Blue Economy, which, among other things, monitors the sustainability of the blue economy or builds a network of maritime transport stakeholders;
• cooperation between alliances, on the basis of a cooperation agreement between SEA-EU and the EU-CONEXUS consortium.

Two SEA-EU oceanographic campaigns carried out in 2022 and 2024 attracted particular attention from the European Commission. Both projects were not only ambitious research achievements - they also played a significant role in promoting the European Universities initiative and popularising science. In addition to measurements by an international team of scientists, open events, press conferences and educational activities on the sustainability of the seas and oceans were organised during the cruises.

‘5 years ago the University of Gdańsk joined the European Universities programme as one of the first universities in Poland. Not only were our activities included in the alliance's assumptions appreciated, but also innovative ways of cooperation, including two SEA-EU oceanographic campaigns,’ said Vice-Rector for Cooperation and International Relations dr hab. Anna Jurkowska-Zeidler, prof. UG. ‘These types of initiatives prove the boundless potential of European Universities and the great commitment of UG as a partner university.’

The report positively assesses the transformative potential of the European Universities initiative; according to the authors, the alliances have succeeded in creating a true culture of innovation in international cooperation that has become deeply embedded in the academic communities of the partner universities. However, in order to meet the ambitious goals and fully realise the potential of the European Universities developed, the need to increase and extend the funding until at least 2034 is also highlighted.

‘The European Commission's optimistic assessment indicates that the European Universities programme is fulfilling its original premise of building the universities of the future. The continuation of this initiative is a great opportunity to strengthen European unity and shape pro-European attitudes among new generations,' says SEA-EU 2.0 Project Manager mgr Marlena Rutkowska-Myzyk. ‘Thanks to SEA-EU, for 5 years now, employees and students of the University of Gdańsk have been involved in building a truly European university and have been able to learn more about the values on which the European Union is based.’

We invite you to read the entire report here: https://op.europa.eu/en/publication-detail/-/publication/db43f6ca-da14-11ef-be2a-01aa75ed71a1/language-en.