“Science knows no frontiers”: UNICA President Calls for Stronger Research Integration in Europe’s Widening Countries
23 October 2025 | From UNICA - Funding
On 21 October, UNICA took part in the Science|Business Widening public conference, organised in Podgorica, Montenegro, in partnership with the University of Montenegro, POLICY ANSWERS Project, EIT Community, COST Association and SciDEV. The event titled “From knowledge to impact: Nurturing research and innovation in Southeast Europe” brought together leaders and decision makers from widening countries and beyond to share good practices and develop recommendations to optimise the regional impact of EU instruments in the years ahead.
The President of UNICA, Prof. Sorin Costreie, was one of the speakers during the last panel session, “Nurturing research and innovation in the ERA”. During his intervention, Prof. Costreie delivered a compelling speech highlighting the importance of trust, collaboration, and the central role of universities in Europe’s future.
Opening his remarks with the powerful statement that “money will follow ideas”, he stressed that, while research infrastructures are essential, their true value lies in how they are used to foster ecosystems of innovation and societal impact. He then emphasised the important role universities can play in this task: “We [universities] have research, and through education we can bring this research closer to our communities.” In this context, the European University Alliances hold remarkable potential, marking what he described as “the largest wave of change” since Erasmus and the Bologna Process. If Erasmus fostered mobility and Bologna ensured compatibility, the Alliances now usher in a new phase: integration:
“Each alliance is creating its own model of bringing together the three pillars of a university: research, education, and social engagement. This is unique in the world, and its ultimate goal is to strengthen democracy.”
Recalling the metaphor of the “foggy bridge” from last year’s Widening Conference, he insisted on the idea that clear vision will come from trust: “The key is trust; trust that collaboration will bring something new: integration.” Building on this idea, he also added that intelligence is evenly distributed across populations, but opportunities are not.
His message concluded with an urge for science to lead the efforts of European integration:
“Let’s put science at the front of our integrative powers in Europe. Scientists can build a model of European integration, because science knows no frontiers. Through science, we can bring democracy, inclusion, and everything our societies need.”
Watch the complete recording of the S|B Widening public conference on YouTube.
UNICA is a member of Science|Business and the S|B Widening Initiative Group since September 2024.
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.