UNICA Days 2025 | “The role of university networks in the context of the European Universities alliances”, Brussels, 26-28 Feb 2025
Following the successful inaugural event in early 2024, we are excited to reconvene once again for the second edition of the UNICA Days, which will take place in Brussels, 26 to 28 February 2025, under the overarching theme “The role of University Networks in the context of the European Universities alliances“.
Venue: University Foundation, rue d’Egmont 11, 1000 Brussels
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The evolving landscape of European higher education calls for a renewed reflection on the role of long-standing university networks—many of which have been active since the late 1980s and early 1990s—in relation to the EU’s flagship initiative, the European Universities alliances. These alliances aim to create a unified and competitive European Education Area by promoting seamless mobility, transnational education, and joint research programs.
While networks and alliances share common objectives and, at times, appear to operate in overlapping spaces, their fundamental nature and roles differ significantly. University networks have traditionally focused on advocacy, policy engagement, and capacity-building, whereas alliances operate within more structured and goal-driven frameworks. In this context, university networks serve as critical enablers and amplifiers of the European Universities alliances’ ambitions, fostering collaboration, facilitating dialogue, and ensuring that the broader higher education community remains engaged in shaping the future of European academia.
Throughout all sessions at UNICA Days, inclusion remains a core value at the heart of our mission. We are committed to fostering conversations that engage all our members—even those institutions not formally part of the alliances.
Overall schedule
DAY 1 | Wednesday, 26 Feb | For UNICA members only
- 17:00-19:00: meetings between the delegates from UNICA member universities and the UNICA Steering Committee and presentations of UNICA clusters of activities (University Foundation, Room A, first floor)
- 19:00-21:00: Welcome reception (University Foundation, Salons, ground floor)
DAY 2 | Thursday, 27 Feb (University Foundation, Room Cattier, ground floor)
- 8:30-9:00: Registration of participants and welcome coffee
- 9:00-9:30: Welcome and introduction by Sorin COSTREIE, UNICA President
- 9:30-11:00: Session 1 | European Universities alliances – State of play, with a keynote speech by Olga WESSELS, FOREU4ALL
- 11:00-11:30: Coffee break
- 11:30-13:00: Session 2 | University networks and alliances: exploring future pathways for cooperation – Panel discussion with representatives of EUA, The Guild, Coimbra Group of Universities, UNICA, LERU, and Yerun
- 13:00 – 14:00: Group picture and lunch
- 14:00-15:30: Session 3 | European degrees and multiple degrees in the European Higher Education area
- 15:30-16:00: Coffee break
- 16:00-17:30: Session 4 | Research within the European Universities alliances
- 19:00-21:00 Networking reception at Usquare Brussels (Main Hall – Boulevard Général Jacques 210 A, 1050 Ixelles)
DAY 3 | Friday, 28 Feb (University Foundation, Room Cattier, ground floor)
- 9:00-9:30: Welcome coffee
- 9:30-11:00: Session 5 | Innovation in Higher Education: the role of new technologies
- 11:00-11:30: Coffee break
- 11:30-13:00: Session 6 | Universities in, for and with (capital) cities
- 13:00-13:30: UNICA announcements and closing
- 13:30-14:30: Farewell lunch
Target groups
The UNICA days are open to the whole UNICA community as well as to partner organizations, representatives of University networks and of the European Universities alliances, other European stakeholders, and policy makers.
Practical information for the participants

26-28 Feb 2025
University Foundation, rue d'Egmont 11, 1000 Brussels
UNICA
Contact
office@unica-network.eu