The University of Split had the honour to host the SEA-EU Alliance Governing Board meeting on December 15, 2020. The University of Split Rector, Prof. Dragan Ljutić Ph.D., Vice Rector for International Cooperation, Prof. Đurđica Miletić Ph.D., and SEA-EU students’ representative, Roko Glavinović, welcomed the representatives of the University of Split and five remaining universities. Head of the Rector's Office Ivana Pletković moderated the Governing Board meeting.

The project coordinator, University of Cadiz Rector, Prof. Francisco Piniella Corbacho opened the meeting and gave the floor to University of Split, its Rector, Dragan Ljutić, who was hosting this meeting. At the very beginning, those present had the opportunity to be acquainted with beauties of the Split-Dalmatia County and our University from videos, after which rector Ljutić welcomed all those present and briefly presented the University of Split. In his presentation, he stressed the importance and role of the SEA-EU alliance, as well as the creation of joint studies and a common European diploma. He also emphasized how strongly the University of Split welcomes developing the SEA-EU cooperation and expressed hope that we will have the opportunity to host all SEA-EU partners at our University in person. After the introductory part and approval of the last meeting’s proceedings, all work packages’ leaders presented the activities covered in the last six months, as well as challenges and barriers they foresee in their future activities.

Following that, the University of Split held a round table on: European diploma: expectations and realistic barriers. Ivana Jadrić, technical manager of the SEA-EU alliance at the University of Split, moderated the round table, attended by rectors/directors of SEA-EU Universities, representative of the European Commission, specialized in (establishing) European diplomas Nadia Manzoni and, representing the Ministry of Science and Education in the Republic of Croatia, Ana Tecilazić Goršić. During the round table, the European Commission’s vision related to European diplomas was defined, and one Commission’s document on challenges involved in producing European diplomas to be presented soon was also announced and challenges that every university faces in the process of-when setting up a European diploma-degree have been identified. After all six universities participating in the round table presented their visions, the SEA-EU student representative Jan-Erik Stoltze shared his perspective.

In the remaining part of the Governing Board meeting, each university presented one topic it considers the most interesting to governing boards of six universities. The following topics were presented: dissemination strategy, clusters of researchers, involvement of external stakeholders, virtual mobility, setting up SEA-EU graduate and doctoral schools as well as sustainable blue activities. An important part of the meeting was Mr. Jan-Christian Wilkening’s presentation of the Student Manifesto, worked on recently by the SEA-EU Student Committee. With this document, the students presented their activities and committed to contribute to the SEA-EU alliance development. At the meeting’s very end, the strategy of joining new member states to the alliance was discussed, and it was decided that the University of Malta would host the next Governing Board meeting.