Progress for European Higher Education
Across Alliance Work Meeting in Perpignan: Developing Strategies for University Collaboration
From January 22 to 24, 2025, the Université de Perpignan Via Domitia (UPVD) hosted all partners of the Across Alliance for a work meeting focused on the further development of the European University Alliance. Around 90 participants from nine countries came together to discuss key project topics and plan the next steps in its implementation. During the meeting, over 60 new colleagues were introduced to the fundamental principles of the alliance—such as governance, work plans, and digital tools—through an onboarding session. Additionally, the collaboration between Task Team (Co-)Leaders and Work Package Leaders was strengthened. Thanks to the outstanding organization and hospitality of the colleagues in Perpignan, numerous opportunities for networking and exchange were created. Highlights included a tour of the UPVD campus and a visit to the coastal town of Collioure.
The event was officially opened on January 23 by Prof. Dr. Yvan Auguet, President of the Université de Perpignan. Following his opening remarks, the Chemnitz project team introduced the project’s goals and structure. On the second day, the focus shifted to detailed planning, with the Across members working on strategies to align work plans and resolve dependencies within the work packages.
The TU Chemnitz delegation included Chancellor Peter Bernshausen, Vice-Rector for Academic and International Affairs Prof. Dr. Maximilian Eibl, Task Team Lead for eCampus and Scientific Director of the University Computing Center Prof. Dr. Martin Gaedke, Dr. Daniel Pietschmann, Across local coordinator Ariane Korn, and team assistant Jennifer Bosniatzki.
Chancellor Peter Bernshausen emphasized the importance of the meeting: “The Across meeting in Perpignan was an excellent opportunity to further advance the internationalization of our universities. Over the past few days, we have not only reinforced our shared commitment to promoting the exchange of students across our universities but also taken concrete steps in organizing the project. It was impressive to see how our colleagues collaborated not only professionally but also on a personal level. Such interactions foster mutual trust and lay the foundation for sustainable, Europe-wide cooperation that will enrich and strengthen both our students and, indirectly, our research endeavors.”
The Across Alliance is organized into four work packages, each comprising four tasks. Task Teams, consisting of two experts from each university, work largely autonomously. Work Package Leaders, who are also members of the Executive Board, oversee progress and serve as points of contact for challenges at the university or alliance level.
The meeting in Perpignan also served as a preparation for the next work meeting, scheduled to take place in Chemnitz from March 4 to 7, 2025. The event will begin with an opening ceremony to mark the official project launch, and over 200 colleagues from the Across Alliance are expected to attend.
Background: Across
“Across – The European University for Cross-Border Knowledge Sharing” is a European University Alliance coordinated by TU Chemnitz, aimed at addressing cross-border challenges. The nine partners of the Across Alliance, with their regional proximity to border areas, contribute to the sustainable development of cross-border regions by fostering real social change, cultural integration, a sustainable approach to innovation, new economic opportunities, and employment in collaboration with stakeholders from business and civil society. Across encompasses an academic network of over 100,000 students and has been funded by the European Union under the “European Universities Initiative” since the beginning of the year.
Through innovative and diverse models of long-term collaboration, the participating European universities strengthen shared European values and foster a stronger European identity. They contribute to significant progress in quality, attractiveness, and international competitiveness in the regions involved, thereby supporting economic growth, employment, culture, and prosperity in Europe.
Members of the Across Alliance:
- University of Banja Luka (Bosnia)
- Bialystok University of Technology (Poland)
- Chemnitz University of Technology (Germany)
- University of Craiova (Romania)
- University of Girona (Spain)
- University of Nova Gorica (Slovenia)
- University of Perpignan Via Domitia (France)
- University of Ruse "Angel Kanchev" (Bulgaria)
- University of Udine (Italy)
- Ivan Franko National University of Lviv (Ukraine) as an associated partner
Further information: Ariane Korn, International Office, TU Chemnitz, Phone +49 (0)371 531-36465, Email ariane.korn@iuz.tu-chemnitz.de
(Author and Translation: Ariane Korn)
Mario Steinebach
28.01.2025