EUGLOH Strengthens Links with Wrocław Medical University and Engages in the Forum of European Universities Alliances

11th June: EUGLOH and Wrocław Medical University – Strengthening Our Partnership 

The visit began with dedicated meetings between EUGLOH representatives Joana Resende, Emily Helmeid and Catarina Tavares and WMU colleagues Prof. Marzena Dominiak, Prof. Irena DuśIlnicka, Nikola Wardziak and Miłka Witkowska. The meetings focused on next steps for the HealConnectUMW project, an initiative funded by the Polish National Agency for Academic Exchange (NAWA) and supporting collaboration between WMU and EUGLOH. 

In these discussions, the parties reaffirmed their  mutual commitment to deepening collaboration in education, research, academic mobility, and staff and student wellbeing. The gathering strengthened WMU’s role within the EUGLOH network and demonstrated a shared belief that closer cooperation can further embed internationalisation within the university’s academic and institutional fabric. 

12–13 June: The Forum of European Universities Alliances, Wroclaw 

EUGLOH representatives then participated in the Forum of European Universities Alliances Wroclaw, a highlevel event that brought together academic leaders, policymakers, and national and European authorities to explore the future of the European Higher Education Area (EHEA). Held under the theme “The University of the Future”, the Forum was a space for open dialogue about the role alliances play in shaping resilient, collaborative, and forwardlooking universities across Europe. 

Over the course of the two-day dialogue, a central message emerged: many alliances still operate in “subsistence mode”, making miracles happen despite constrained resources. Yet, as EUGLOH SecretaryGeneral Emily Helmeid reflected in the closing session, alliances must move beyond survival towards sustainability: 

“There is no magic. Our ‘elves’ are the ecosystem of actors — students, staff, academics, national agencies, ministries, and European bodies — working together in a shared atelier setting. That’s where transformation will happen.” 

EUGLOH engaged actively in the dialogue taking place across the Forum with multiple high-level contributions. For example, from the audience in Session 3, Emily Helmeid called on colleagues within and outside of Alliances to reinforce the concrete plans and measures that are coming out of high-level policy discussions when they align with the needs of the European University Alliances (EUAs). Such measures include a single access point to different European funding mechanisms, continued openness in the “prescription” for EUAs to preserve diversity, increased flexibility to ensure that EUAs can play their part as role models, a long-term horizon and collaboration through FOREU4ALL to amplify impact. 

EUGLOH’s contributions at the forum underscored the need for sustained, flexible support that respects the diversity of alliances and gives them the space to grow. They also highlighted the importance of aligning policy with practical needs, embracing long-term thinking, and using shared platforms like FOREU4ALL to amplify collective impact.