ECIU University’s achievements stand out in a European Commission report

At the end of January, The European Commission published a landmark report assessing the outcomes and potential of the European Universities Initiative. The report underscores the Initiative’s achievements, highlights its challenges, and sets a course for future policy and investment to ensure its continued success.

ECIU University stands out prominently in the report; it is referenced 97 times for its best practices and achievements. The findings affirm ECIU University’s pioneering role in shaping the future of European higher education.

The EC report highlights four key ECIU University success stories, each presented as a best practice model. Digital Platform and XR Campus are labelled models for shared digital resources and virtual learning spaces, micro-credentials journey is set a s leading example of innovative education and mobility opportunities.

ECIU University’s gender equality and diversity strategy is recognised for its significant societal and economic impact. Challenges and local partnerships are identified as a driving force in regional collaboration and problem-solving in the report.

Unrivalled ECIU University’s leadership in micro-credentials

Kaunas University of Technology (KTU), an active member of ECIU University, contributes significantly to the development of flexible learning pathways, micro-credentials, and collaborative research efforts aimed at addressing critical societal and industrial challenges. All these ECIU University achievements were positively mentioned throughout the European Commission’s Report.

ECIU University is responsible for an outstanding 82 per cent of all short courses leading to micro-credentials developed by the 39 alliances included in the study. Out of the 431 short courses launched by alliances as of October 2023, ECIU University contributed 355 courses, setting a benchmark for innovation in joint education provision and mobility.

Flexible education suits the needs of today’s learners

According to Kristina Ukvalbergienė, KTU’s Vice-Rector for Education, the ECIU University’s teaching and learning model is characterised by its flexibility and challenge-based approach. Students can create a flexible learning path, choosing the challenges and micro-modules that best suit their career goals and personal needs.

As part of ECIU University, KTU provides students with opportunities to engage in innovative, cross-border collaboration, working alongside international peers and stakeholders to tackle real-world issues.

With 12 full partners, ECIU University is one of the two largest alliances in the European Universities Initiative. Additionally, it remains the only alliance that also operates as a university network, advocating for its partners beyond the initiative, including in Horizon Europe and Erasmus+ programs.

A call for continued policy and financial support

The report emphasises that 65 European University Alliances, representing over 570 higher education institutions from 35 countries, are playing a crucial role in strengthening European competitiveness. However, it also calls for sustained financial and policy support to allow alliances to achieve their ambitious goals.

According to KTU’s Vice-Rector for Education, The European University Alliances initiative is crucial for the European education system as it contributes to the creation of a unified European Higher Education Area, promotes the development and piloting of various innovative learning models, the sharing of good practices and the enhancement of quality.

It promotes academic mobility by enabling students and teachers to move more easily between different European institutions, thus increasing internationalisation and providing students with a broader intercultural and interdisciplinary education.

“Looking to the future, Europe’s education system needs to become more flexible, more inclusive and more prepared for the challenges of the future, while at the same time ensuring high quality education,” emphasises Ukvalbergienė.

In the report, key recommendations include long-term funding strategies (securing comprehensive funding through Erasmus+ and other EU programmes), and strengthening transnational cooperation. The European Commission continues to work on a Blueprint for a European Degree and quality assurance mechanisms and calls for all member states’ involvement in the process.

The European Commission’s report is a crucial step in ensuring the European Universities Initiative continues to drive educational transformation across Europe. For ECIU University, these findings reaffirm its leadership role and commitment to innovative, challenge-based education.