"A clear signal from the European Commission that alliances are here to stay" (Olga Wessels, ECIU)

"One key take away from the event on the European alliances was the clear signal from the European Commission that the alliances are very important to them and that they are here to stay", says Olga Wessels, head of ECIU alliance Brussels office and coordinator of ForEU4All, the Community of practice of the 65 alliances, on 13/03/2025.

She talks to News Tanks about the event organised by the European Commission on European university alliances titled "Shaping the future: European universities alliances for a competitive Europe" on 27/02/2025.

"Another key highlight was the strong speech from Enrico Letta. He said that the coming five years are crucial to realise the 'fifth freedom' and that the European university alliances are key to realising it. That was very inspirational and motivational for all the alliance rectors, presidents, coordinators and partners. Of course, we must be ambitious about the fifth freedom and the free circulation of knowledge. European university alliances, indeed, will play a crucial role in implementing this ambition".

She also raises the question of the…