Universities of the future

Universities across Europe are undergoing constant transformation. As part of society, they share and influence wide-ranging changes in our world. Over the past decade, many have experienced profound institutional- and system-level reforms, and they continue to change as challenges evolve and new opportunities arise. Major drivers for change are concerns over sustainability, the future of our planet, societies and the economy, changing demography, scientific and technological developments, such as digitalisation, as well as a changing geopolitical context.

The quest for renewal and transformation is present at various levels, institutional, societal and political, and the coronavirus crisis is accelerating certain aspects of these developments.

At the European level, political interest in universities has increased in recent years and EUA has been a major player in the debate. This started with the European Universities Initiative in 2017-2018, which put universities and higher education high on the European agenda with a focus on the development of transnational university alliances as an important cornerstone of a future European Education Area. More recently, a much broader debate on the future of universities has emerged and EUA is active more than ever in looking towards the institutional transformation needed to develop towards shared goals, such as innovative learning and teaching, Open Science and Open Access.

As the university sector takes ownership of this debate, EUA has developed its own vision about what Europe's universities should look like in 2030.

Keywords

Positions

  • View more 04 Feb 2021

    Universities without walls – A vision for 2030

    This seminal document is the result of extensive consultations and deliberations with EUA members and partners over a six-month period in 2020. It sets out a vision of resilient and effective universities, serving Europe’s societies towards a better future.

  • View more 25 Jun 2020

    Europe’s Universities Shaping the Future

    EUA Strategic Plan

    The need for strong universities has never been greater in addressing societal challenges. The Covid-19 pandemic, climate change, resource scarcity, ageing populations, migration and managing artificial intelligence are among the many examples of areas where universities have a major impact.

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Resources

  • Europe’s universities’ vision for the future of Europe

    News

    26 Oct 2021

    The Conference on the Future of Europe is an initiative for all Europeans to voice their ideas and debate the future of our continent. As its contribution to this important debate, EUA is submitting the following on the role of universities in shaping the future of Europe: Europe and the world...

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  • RWTH Aachen University virtual event series "The New Fiction of Good Science -...

    Partners news

    15 Oct 2021

    EUA member RWTH Aachen University will launch its new virtual event series "The New Fiction of Good Science - Talking About...". EUA President Michael Murphy will participate in the first edition “Talking About... How Universities Positively Shape Social Change”, which will be made available on 29...

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  • Pathways to the future

    Report

    22 Sep 2021

    This publication focuses on geopolitical changes, digitalisation and artificial intelligence, as...

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  • Greening in European higher education institutions

    Report

    16 Sep 2021

    Higher education institutions are key actors in the transition towards carbon neutrality and...

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  • Towards an EU strategy in support of universities

    Policy input

    30 Jun 2021

    This EUA policy input aims to inform the development of the European Commission’s upcoming...

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  • Magna Charta Universitatum anniversary and signature of MCU2020, 16 – 17 June

    Partners news

    20 May 2021

    The Magna Charta Observatory (MCO) will celebrate the 32nd anniversary of the Magna Charta Universitatum on 16 and 17 June, and will launch the new Magna Charta, the MCU2020, which makes the charter more global and more in line with today's world. EUA Secretary General Amanda Crowfoot will be...

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  • WUEB 2030 Strategy report

    Partners news

    19 May 2021

    EUA member in Poland, Wroclaw University of Economics and Business (WUEB), published its 2030 Strategy report outlining the circumstances that explain the university’s understanding of the future functioning of WUEB, its vision and mission, strategic priorities, and the iterative mechanism of...

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  • (SK) Univerzity bez múrov - vízia do roku 2030

    Report

    11 Mar 2021

    Tento kľúčový dokument je výsledkom rozsiahlych konzultácií a rokovaní s členmi a partnermi EUA...

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  • E³UDRES² conference: “Towards Future Universities for Smart and Sustainable...

    Partners news

    11 Mar 2021

    The European University Alliance E³UDRES² (Engaged and Entrepreneurial European University as Driver for European Smart and Sustainable Regions) celebrates its official Online Opening Conference “Towards Future Universities for Smart and Sustainable Regions” on 22-23 March 2021, from 13:00 to...

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  • EURIE 2021 Summit, 3 – 5 March

    Partners news

    29 Jan 2021

    The Eurasian Universities Union (EURAS) organises the Eurasia Higher Education (EURIE) Summit on 3 – 5 March 2021. This year’s EURIE Summit will be held virtually and will count with the presence of the European University Association in two sessions: EUA President Michael Murphywill...

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  • Call for proposals: E³UDRES² welcomes ideas for a closer connection between...

    Partners news

    22 Dec 2020

    The European University Alliance E³UDRES² (Engaged and Entrepreneurial European University as Driver for European Smart and Sustainable Regions) calls for scientific contributions, relevant concepts, inspiring ideas, and innovative approaches for a closer connection between science and higher...

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  • Universities invited to participate in UN75 Initiative

    Partners news

    28 Jul 2020

    To mark its 75th anniversary in 2020, the United Nations launched a global conversation on how to tackle the challenges we face and build a better future for all. The UN invites European universities to participate in the UN75 Initiative by hosting dialogues and responding to a one-minute...

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  • Europe’s Universities 2030 – a vision for the next decade

    News

    25 Jun 2020

    EUA is embarking on an initiative to develop a vision for Europe’s universities in 2030. This vision by the sector for the sector will serve as inspiration for EUA members, as well as for policy makers and other stakeholders. It will build on EUA’s new strategy, the Association’s long-standing...

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Expert voices

Projects

  • Europe’s Universities 2030

    EUA’s vision for the future EUA has developed its vision for Europe’s universities in 2030. After intensive consultations with...

Events

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