On 23 April 2015, Member of the UNICA Steering Committee Prof. Melita Kovačević (U. of Zagreb) and Rector of ELTE Budapest Prof. Barna Mezey met European Commissioner for Education and Culture Mr Tibor Navracsics in his office in Brussels.
The meeting focused on current priorities in European higher education policy discussions and the regional engagement of universities from the capital cities.
Commissioner Navracsics highlighted the major contribution universities in capital cities make to national economies and employability, as well as their important role in promoting openness and achieving social cohesion and inclusion in increasingly diversified societies. He also expressed interest in working together with UNICA on programmes aiming at integrating students from divergent backgrounds.
The meeting also provided an opportunity to convey to Commissioner Navracsics an invitation to the UNICA 25th anniversary General Assembly and the Seminar "Role and impact of university networks in the 21st century", which will take place on 16 October 2015 in Brussels.
UNICA extends its special thanks to Rector Prof. Barna Mezey for his role in facilitating the meeting.