Technical University of Košice (TUKE), as a member of the Ulysseus European University, organised a forum of Slovak higher education institutions (HEIs) participating in European University alliances, on the 26 and 27 September 2024. The event was a follow-up to an initial meeting held in April 2024 organised by the Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra and the INVEST European University. University Science Park TECHNICOM, where the forum took place, welcomed more than 45 participants;  eight Slovak HEIs participating in the European Universities, three other partner universities from the region (Pavol Jozef Šafárik University in Košice, Prešov University in Prešov and the University of Veterinary Medicine and Pharmacy in Košice), representatives from the Ministry of Education, Research, Development and Youth of the Slovak Republic (MŠVaM SR), the Slovak Accreditation Agency for Higher Education (SAAVŠ), SAIA and the Slovak Academic Association for International Cooperation (SAAIC).

The forum was opened by the Rector of TUKE Prof. Peter Mésároš, who emphasized the importance of international cooperation, as well as the importance of the involvement of Slovak universities in the alliances of European universities, for the development of Slovak higher education. “Technical University of Košice considers this meeting an important step in deepening international cooperation not only between Slovak universities but also within European universities. As the host of this event, we are proud to have been able to provide a platform for the exchange of experiences, ideas and solutions that will contribute to innovation and progress in the field of higher education in Slovakia. Our participation in the Ulysseus European University opens up new opportunities not only for the academic community of the Technical University, but also for our partners from other universities, together creating new pathways for education and research in a European context.”, said Prof. Mésároš.

The participants at the meeting were also welcomed by the representative of the Ministry of Education and Science of the Slovak Republic, Denis Nedelka, who confirmed the Ministry's support for the initiative of the European Universities in Slovakia and the participating universities: “The Ministry of Education, Research, Development and Youth of the Slovak Republic appreciates the great interest of Slovak public universities to participate in European University Alliances. We are very pleased that 8 universities are currently members of such alliances and we hope that others will join them soon. We believe that Slovak universities will make the most of their membership in these alliances. The internationalisation of higher education is one of the Ministry's priorities and we will continue to support activities in this regard."

The meeting focused on the topics of joint study programmes, the European approach to quality assurance, the activities of European Universities for the promotion of excellent research in Slovakia and the possibilities of involving students in the activities of the alliances. The main programme was complemented by a networking area and a tour of the TUKE campus.

Participating Universities and European University alliances

European University Initiative

European Universities is an initiative of the European Commission that aims to set up deep inter-institutional cooperation between universities across the European Union. Students can earn a degree by combining studies in several countries and thus increase their competitiveness in the labour market.
European Universities are consortia of higher education institutions, strategically brought together to develop and implement coordinated joint activities in higher education, research, innovation and community and societal development. These alliances have different models for systemic, structural and sustainable transnational cooperation that strengthens the quality and performance of higher education across Europe for the benefit of students and staff, while promoting democratic values.
The initiative aims to support 64 alliances by mid-2024, bringing together more than 560 European institutions. In Slovakia, eight higher education institutions are involved in the initiative.

Ulysseus European University

The vision of Ulysseus European University for 2030 is to develop an excellency-recognized and internationally attractive open to the world, persons-centred and entrepreneurial European University for the citizens of the future. By doing so, our ambition is to contribute to shape the European Higher Education and Research Areas, and hence the future of Europe.
Ulysseus Alliance is one of the more than 60 European Universities selected by the European Commission to become the universities of the future. Led by the University of Seville together with seven other universities in Europe: Université Côte d’Azur, France; University of Genoa, Italy; Technical University of Košice, Slovakia; MCI | The Entrepreneurial School^®, Austria; Haaga-Helia University of Applied Sciences, Finland; University of Münster, Germany and University of Montenegro, Montenegro), the project will allow students, researchers and graduates to move freely between universities, carry out internships in companies and start high-impact research projects.
The project Ulysseus European University is funded by the Erasmus+ Programme and the Ministry of Education, Research, Development and Youth of the Slovak Republic.

More information: www.ulysseus.eu