This annual event brings together the rectors and presidents from the nine FORTHEM partner universities, marking an important moment in the Alliance's journey towards academic collaboration and innovation
The Rector of the University of Valencia, Maria Vicenta Mestre Escriva, presided the event and welcomed Gundars Berzins from Riga in Latvia, Jacek Lipok from Opole in Poland, Sorin Radu from Sibiu in Romania, Vincent Thomas from Burgundy in France, Sunniva Whittaker from Agder in Norway, Jari Ojala from Jyväskyla in Finland, Georg Krausch from Mainz in Germany and Fabio Mazzola, standing in for Massimo Midiri from Palermo in Italy.
Presidents and Rectors addressed various crucial aspects of the alliance's growth and development, including future financial perspectives and strategic goals beyond 2030. They discussed implementing joint degrees to enhance student mobility and academic excellence, and shared insights on common strategies in research and innovation.
A highlight of the gathering was the signature of the statutes of the Alliance, symbolizing shared commitment to the principles and objectives that unite FORTHEM member institutions whose leaders affirmed their dedication to long-term collaboration and mutual support.
As part of the program, presidents and rectors had the opportunity to visit the start-up center at the University of Valencia, showcasing a vibrant ecosystem of innovation and entrepreneurship. The visit provided valuable insights into initiatives aimed at nurturing creativity, driving economic growth, and fostering social impact.
Alongside the presidents’ meeting, twenty-five communications experts from the nine universities met to discuss social media, Gen Z’s needs, internal communication, including FORTHEM in their university’s communications tools and communication plans. The group the visited state-of-the-art video production section of the University of Valencia.
A second group addressed strategies for enhancing research efforts, crucial for garnering support within the academic community. They also presented the findings of the Horizon2020 project FIT FORTHEM to the presidents.
The presidents, rectors and communications experts convened after their work meetings to enjoy classical music concerts. The whole congregation had the opportunity to follow guided tours, taste some of the local dishes and watch some beautiful traditional dances.
These annual meetings are an opportunity for participants to form stronger bonds with their counterparts, discuss important subjects and ensure a strong long-term synergy between the nine members of the FORTHEM Alliance.
Looking ahead, the next physical meeting of the FORTHEM Alliance is scheduled to take place in Palermo, Italy, continuing the tradition of rotating meetings across member institutions and fostering greater inclusivity and engagement.
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