SWPS University welcomed the Board of Rectors of the European Reform University Alliance (ERUA) at its campus in Warsaw, on March 22, 2024. The goal of the meeting was to chart the direction for the new phase of ERUA (2023-2026) and advance the vision of a truly integrated European community.
Innovative approach to higher education and research in Europe
ERUA comprises eight reform universities, united by shared values of openness, inclusiveness, and placing students at the heart of their mission. Last Friday, the Board of Rectors met in Warsaw to discuss the role of the Board, and the role of the Rectors who lead their respective universities, in ensuring effective collaboration and smooth operations of the ERUA project and alliance.
As an alliance, we will speak out on important issues regarding the role of research and higher education in Europe, and we will work together for public funding adequate to the potential and goals of universities. We all confirmed that ERUA is an important project for our universities, but also for the higher educational arena in Europe
Professor Roman Cieślak, Rector of SWPS University, Chair of the ERUA Board of Rectors
The Board of Rectors will meet regularly online and in person. In the nearest future, the Rectors will review the strategies of all member universities to determine synergies and individual strengths of all member institutions which, combined, will enrich the Alliance and help to drive the common strategy forward.
Examining the strategies of each of the universities is essential if we are to map out the strategy of our alliance. We want a strong alliance, and to achieve that we need to know what each of us expects of it, what strengths we share and how we can complement each other to make each other stronger. Our success depends on the commitment of each of us to overcome our differences in an intercultural, inclusive and critical spirit.
Professor Annick Allaigre, President of the Paris 8 University Vincennes-Saint-Denis in France, Representative of the Coordinating Institution
New Secretary General of ERUA
The ERUA Board of Rectors meeting was an excellent occasion to welcome the newly appointed Secretary General of ERUA, Mrs. Bruna Vives, who will play an instrumental role in facilitating cross-functional collaboration, driving multicultural initiatives, and ensuring the effective implementation of ERUA’s joint vision and long-term strategy.
In this meeting we have planted the seed for an effective governance and leadership. This is an important milestone towards building an integrated community and implementing a joint strategy with novel approaches in education, research and innovation that can make a difference in Europe.
Bruna Vives-Prat, Secretary General of the ERUA
ERUA Board Members
In Warsaw, we had the opportunity to host representatives of all members of the ERUA Alliance. The Board of Rectors meeting was attended by:
- Professor Annick Allaigre, Rector of the Paris 8 University Vincennes-Saint-Denis in France, Chairman of the ERUA
- Professor Roman Cieślak, Rector of the SWPS University in Poland, President of the ERUA Board of Rectors
- Professor Inga Žalėnienė, Rector of the Mykolas Romeris University in Lithuania, Vice-President ERUA Board of Rectors
- Professor John McCourt, Rector of the University of Macerata in Italy
- Professor Lluís Serra-Majem, Rector of the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria in Spain
- Professor Dagmara Jajeśniak-Quast, Vice President for international relations at Viadrina European University in Frankfurt (Oder) in Germany
- Professor Elena Theodoropoulou, Elected member of the Administration Council of the University of the Aegean in Greece & Director of the Laboratory of Research on Practical Philosophy
- Professor Georgi Georgiev, Head of the Department of Architecture at New Bulgarian University
With a distinct focus on social sciences, humanities, and arts, complemented by interdisciplinary collaborations with sciences, technology, engineering and math (STEM) fields, ERUA is committed to fostering unique perspectives and convergence among diverse stakeholders across Europe in addressing contemporary societal challenges.
View photos from the visit:
ERUA Board of Rectors meeting | Photo: Nikodem Szymański
ERUA Board of Rectors meeting | Photo: Nikodem Szymański
Professor Lluís Serra-Majem, Rector of the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria | Photo: Nikodem Szymański
Professor John McCourt, Rector of the University of Macerata | Photo: Nikodem Szymański
Inga Žalėnienė, Rector of the Mykolas Romeris University| Photo: Nikodem Szymański
Professor Dagmara Jajeśniak-Quast from Viadrina European University in Frankfurt (Oder) | Photo: Nikodem Szymański
Professor Georgi Georgiev from New Bulgarian University | Photo: Nikodem Szymański
Professor Elena Theodoropoulou from University of the Aegean | Photo: Nikodem Szymański
Professor Roman Cieślak, Rector of the SWPS University | Photo: Nikodem Szymański
Professor Annick Allaigre, Rector of the Paris 8 University Vincennes-Saint-Denis | Photo: Nikodem Szymański
Bruna Vives-Prat, Secretary General of the ERUA | Photo: Nikodem Szymański