UNICA presents its ‘umbrella role’ strategy for European universities alliances at the inaugural event of GICHE, a pioneering initiative that aims to create a ‘network of networks’
29 October 2025 | From UNICA
On 23–24 October 2025, UNICA was in Hannover for the inaugural event the Global Innovation Circle on Higher Education (GICHE), a new international platform bringing together leaders of major university networks worldwide.
Under the theme “Building Innovative Networks in Complex Times: What Lies Ahead for International Collaboration in Higher Education?”, the event brought together representatives of 19 major international higher education networks, symbolizing a collective commitment to shaping the future of global higher education together.
The 2 day event explored how universities can work together to address today’s global challenges, from geopolitical crises to climate change, health emergencies, and social inequalities. GICHE is now working on the detailed summary of the outcomes of this meeting and the concrete next steps, which will be shared soon.
Represented by its President, Prof. Sorin Costreie, and the Secretary-General, Prof. Luciano Saso, UNICA contributed to this event with a presentation on the collaboration between traditional networks and European universities alliances for common goals in Education, Research and civic engagement.
Drawing on the conclusions of the UNICA Days 2025 (which focused extensively on this theme), Prof. Costreie and Prof. Saso presented the network’s “umbrella role” strategy, illustrating how UNICA assumes a examining position on the initiative’s developments while fostering cooperation and shared learning between alliances and the network’s members.
Why an umbrella role?
40 out of the 56 UNICA member Universities take part in European Universities Alliances. In other terms, 23 out of the 65 existing funded alliances have at least one UNICA member University as partner. One UNICA member university is also part of one of the Alliances that was granted the Seal of Excellence. These figures highlight the initiative’s strong relevance to our members and point to a significant opportunity for UNICA to further engage members. However, it’s as important to recognise that there are members of the network not taking part in the alliances, more specifically, 15 members, 7 of which are not even eligible for full membership. Even out of the 40 members who take part, 4 do it as Associate members.
With “one foot in and one foot out” of the initiative, UNICA decided to take on a role that could both embrace the range of initiative involvement and add value to all its members. Hence, the network has positioned itself under an umbrella role, one that focuses on observing, analysing, and connecting rather than directly implementing. Furthermore, networks and alliances – as widely debated during the UNICA Days – have different, yet, complementary roles. The informal nature of collaboration and broader scope allows traditional networks to become more active in policy and advocacy efforts, creating opportunities that can ultimately benefit the alliances.
In summary, a monitoring and facilitating position allows UNICA to act as a bridge between alliances and non-alliance members, ensuring that knowledge, opportunities, and lessons learned circulate across the entire network.
What does UNICA do?
In line with the vision of an umbrella role, UNICA puts efforts into organising or being involved in activities that ensure a diverse representation of voices, connect different themes and approaches, and that can serve the purpose of identifying challenges/ opportunities and ultimately offer evidence-based insights that inform policy and practice. These efforts include:
- Events, including both UNICA thematic events that address topics which touch upon subjects of the alliances, that reinforce UNICA’s role and contribute to policy feedback, as well as joint events, organised directly with European universities, on foster complementarity and encourage cross-learning. This year, as mentioned, our flagship event, the UNICA Days in Brussels, was also fully dedicated to the topic of the collaboration between alliances and traditional networks;
- Publications, both self-published by UNICA or in specialised journals, compile the reflections resulting meetings and research across the network and beyond;
- Advocacy, by representing the network’s position in public events, engaging in high level conversations, and joining efforts with other organisations;
- Dissemination, by sharing important information and updates of the overall initiative as well as activities from individual European universities, especially from those where UNICA members are involved.
Photo credits: GICHE/Pilar
About the Global Innovation Circle on Higher Education (GICHE)
The Global Innovation Circle on Higher Education (GICHE) is an international networking format designed to foster dialogue, exchange ideas, and develop collaborative solutions. The pioneering initiative aims to create a “network of networks” and lay the foundation for sustainable, inclusive, and forward-looking collaboration in higher education and research. To achieve this, the network seeks to facilitate a sustainable, long-term global and inclusive dialogue on the strategic questions shaping the development of the international academic and higher education landscape. The Global Innovation Circle on Higher Education is an initiative by the University of Hamburg in partnership with the German Rectors’ Conference and the Volkswagen Foundation.
Co-funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the authors only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.