Passing the Torch: EUGLOH Leadership Moves from Porto to Hamburg

Throughout 2025, under the leadership of Rector António de Sousa Pereira, the University of Porto has spearheaded EUGLOH’s activities — prioritising student-centred cooperation, innovation and external engagement, and enhanced academic and research synergies.

The result has been a year marked by collaborative exchanges, expanded opportunities for students and researchers, and a strengthened sense of community across the Alliance.

Now, with Porto’s term having come to a close, EUGLOH looks ahead to 2026 and the presidency of the University of Hamburg.

This year is expected to be dynamic and forward-looking. A major focus of the Hamburg presidency will be the successful completion of the current project phase, combined with ongoing strategic preparations for the future of the EUGLOH Alliance. In 2026, EUGLOH will apply for an additional two years of funding through the EU, an opportunity to reflect and build upon all that it has already established as an Alliance in order to best be able to carry its successful collaboration into the future.

The ongoing development of EUGLOH reflects both the dynamic nature of the European higher education landscape and the mutual transformative effects of the European Universities alliances themselves as they both impact and are impacted by their members.

“Transformative change is not only a central component of our university’s strategy, but also a tangible result of collaboration within EUGLOH and the European Universities alliances,” says President Hauke Heekeren. “This synergy enables us to contribute our expertise to the Alliance’s dynamic development, while also benefiting from its transformative impact across partner universities – particularly through the wide range of opportunities for international and interdisciplinary collaboration in research and teaching.”

Another exciting highlight of the University of Hamburg’s presidency will be this year’s EUGLOH Annual Summit, which will be held in Hamburg in September under the motto “Science and the City: Exploring Pathways for Global Health Innovation,” providing numerous opportunities for exchange between members of the EUGLOH community, external stakeholders and partners as well as staff and students at the University of Hamburg.

With Hamburg at the helm in 2026, EUGLOH reaffirms its commitment to cross-border cooperation in global health research, education and innovation as well as its commitment to shared responsibility between the Alliance’s members through the principle of a rotating presidency. The aim of this principle within the governance structure of EUGLOH is to foster collective decision-making and a diversified leadership style.