We are a part of the international academic community
On July 3, the European Commission published a list of 30 university alliances selected under the 2023 Erasmus+ European Universities call. Among them is the European Reform University Alliance, of which SWPS University is a member.
To learn more about the results of the call, read the European Commission's announcement
Last autumn, our university joined ERUA as an associate partner and has now officially become a member of the alliance. Throughout this journey, we have closely observed the valuable activities carried out by the affiliated universities in the fields of education, research, and collaboration with the community.
We have much to offer our alliance, but we also have much to learn. However, we will benefit the most from the shift in our mindset. We are familiar with and appreciate our partners in the alliance. We identify similar challenges and, above all, share common goals and values. I firmly believe that our collaboration within the alliance, now expanded to include new members, will bring numerous benefits—not only to the community of affiliated universities. Joining the ERUA alliance provides opportunities for close cooperation in teaching and research with European universities, exchange of experiences and best practices. But most importantly, it enables joint education of future generations of democratic European citizens and drives positive changes in local communities and regions where ERUA is active.
Professor Roman Cieślak
Rector of SWPS University
ERUA has been established in 2020 and now includes 8 European universities:
- University of Paris 8 (France, coordinator of the alliance)
- SWPS University (Poland)
- Mykolas Romeris University (Lithuania)
- University of Macerata (Italy)
- University of the Aegean (Greece)
- University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (Spain)
- Viadrina European University (Germany)
- New Bulgarian University (Bulgaria)
Visit ERUA's website
Achieving our goals and strengthening our position in Europe
Joining the European Universities Initiative has been a top priority in SWPS University's International Strategy. Membership in the alliance significantly strengthens our position and competitiveness internationally.
In today's reality, any university aspiring to be recognized and influential within the European Union should be a part of this initiative. That is why I am incredibly proud that we have succeeded in joining this elite group as a member of the ERUA alliance. We are the first, and so far the only, non-public Polish university that has been invited to the family of European Universities.
Wojciech Karczewski, Ph.D.
Director of the Office for International Cooperation and Rector's Representative for International Cooperation
Membership in ERUA brings tangible benefits to our entire academic community. It is an opportunity to expand our network, develop joint interdisciplinary study programs, and conduct cooperative research. Moreover, it facilitates the exchange of academics, students, and administrative staff, as well as the organization of international scientific events.
European Universities: Collaboration across borders
The European Universities Initiative is a transnational union of higher education institutions from across the European Union (EU). Approved by the European Commission in 2017, it aims to enhance the competitiveness of EU universities compared to those in the US, UK, and Asia. In the long run, European Universities strive to become the universities of the future, distinguished by their high-quality education, research, innovation, and global competitiveness.
The alliances are spread across European capital cities and remote regions in 35 countries, including all EU member states, as well as Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Iceland, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Norway, Serbia, and Turkey. In addition, the alliances can involve higher education institutions from Bologna Process countries as associated partners.