A joint webinar of the Rectors in the European Universities Initiative was held on Wednesday, November 4, and it was, together with 27 Directors general for higher education in EU countries, attended by 280 heads of higher education institutions from 41 European University Alliances. That is to say, along with rectors from the first 17, leaders from 24 new alliances selected in the second call also participated.
As a member of SEA-EU, the European University of the Sea Alliance, selected in the first call made by the European Commission in June 2019, a delegation from the University of Split, led by prof. Dragan Ljutić PhD, Rector of the University of Split, together with Vice-Rectors prof. Đurđica Miletić PhD and prof. Leandra Vranješ Markić PhD, Head of the Rector's office Ivana Pletković and SEA-EU Office Project manager Ivana Jadrić attended the webinar.
As is well known, European universities are transnational alliances that will be universities of the future and will promote European values and identity as well as transform the quality and competitiveness of European higher education.
Introductory remarks were made by Themis Christophidou, head of the European Commission's Directorate General for Education and Culture (DG EAC), and Ullrich Schüller, of the German Ministry of Education and Research. Director Christophidou stated that higher education institutions, due to the coronavirus pandemic, find themselves in a demanding period that requires rapid adjustments. On behalf of the Ministry of Science and Education of the Republic of Croatia, Ana Tecilazić Goršić participated in the panel, emphasizing the important role of the University of Split in applying the concept of Europass Digitally-Signed Credentials Framework and establishing the European Student Card.
The rectors discussed European universities’ potential for transformation, support of the Initiative to EU member states, as well as the important issue of student participation in project development process. On this issue, appointed student representatives shared the student perspective and recommendations in the Rector’s plenary session.
In order to emphasize how important student engagement is for the European Universities Initiative, a session for students of all alliances was held earlier in the day. As a representative of the University of Split, Mateo Marušić, President of the Student union, attended the session. In this workshop, students had the opportunity to exchange experiences, as well as share their visions and recommendations for the establishment of European universities.