This page was translated automatically using artificial intelligence (DeepL). The German version is binding. More information about automatic translation
The meeting of the nine universities from eight European countries, held at Hasselt University from 5 to 8 February, was entirely dedicated to sustainability: only locally produced vegetarian and vegan dishes were served. No packaging materials were used. The 140 delegates brought their own water bottles and coffee mugs with them over the four days.
After all, the alliance, launched in 2020, is called the āEuropean University on Responsible Consumption and Production (EURECA-PRO)ā. The partnersā aim is nothing less than to become the European centre of excellence for education and research on responsible consumption and production in the coming years. The plan is to establish a virtual and integrated European campus by 2040. The European Commission is supporting this endeavour. Last year, it secured funding for the second phase of the project, running until 2027, from the Erasmus+ programme.
During the kick-off week in Hasselt, the delegates met primarily to exchange views in various formats and on a range of topics. Drawing on the experiences from the first phase of the project, the focus was on how the expansion of the European higher education network can be concentrated and driven forward in a concrete manner over the next four years.
Professor Volker Tolkmitt, Vice-Chancellor of Mittweida University of Applied Sciences, led the delegation from the only University of Applied Sciences in the Alliance: āIt was an important week. Collaboration between European researchers works, and personal exchanges are key to this. We have drawn up working agreements and successfully managed to overcome bureaucratic hurdles.ā
In terms of content, the various working groups met to discuss tasks such as the further development of joint structures, research, innovation and the āthird missionā, as well as education and communication. Key topics included digitalisation, the further development of degree programmes towards joint offerings, joint research projects and the greater involvement of students as key drivers of the Alliance.
The next meeting of all EURECA-PRO universities will be held under the heading āReview Weekā. To review and evaluate the work carried out over the coming months, the delegates will travel to Saxony from 23 to 27 September to visit the two German partner institutions in Mittweida University of Applied Sciences and Freiberg.
About EURECA-PRO
EURECA-PRO is part of the European Commissionās European Universities Initiative, which supports European universities in collaborating to achieve the United Nationsā Sustainable Development Goals. Together with eight universities in Belgium, Austria, Germany, France, Poland, Spain, Greece and Romania, Mittweida University of Applied Sciences is working within the framework of EURECA-PRO towards UN Sustainable Development Goal 12: Ensuring sustainable consumption and production.
