INGENIUM in Brussels: Engaging in Key Discussions on European Higher Education

During the week of 27 to 31 January, the INGENIUM alliance actively participated in two significant events in Brussels, engaging in discussions that are shaping the future of European higher education. The first of these, the Erasmus Careers Conference titled “From Mobility to Employment: Shaping a Competitive Europe,” took place on 28 and 29 January at the Erasmus Student Network headquarters. This was followed by the Academic Cooperation Association’s flagship policy seminar, “What’s New in Brussels? Recent Developments in European Policies and Programmes,” held on 30 and 31 January.

The Erasmus Careers Conference opened with a Mobility Café under the theme “European University Alliances and the World of Skills and Competitiveness.” Representatives from various alliances explored the ways in which the European University Alliances initiative contributes to fostering competitiveness and enhancing skills. INGENIUM was represented by the Rector’s Delegate for International Alliances at the University of Oviedo, Jesús Daniel Santos, who underscored the alliance’s commitment to establishing a European inter-university campus that transcends national borders. He highlighted the importance of creating an open degree structure, enabling students to design flexible and multidisciplinary curricula tailored to their individual aspirations and career goals.

Professor Santos took part in the discussion alongside other distinguished representatives from European alliances, including Olga Wessels, Head of the Brussels Office at ECIU; Elena Del Giorgio, Ad-Interim Secretary General and Senior Policy Advisor of 4EU+; and Mattia Bellotti, Secretary-General of EUTOPIA. Their collective contributions shed light on the ongoing efforts to integrate higher education across Europe and strengthen the connection between academia and the evolving job market.

On the following day, INGENIUM’s Strategic Manager, Juan Rayón, moderated a panel discussion entitled “Recognising Students’ Mobility Experiences” as part of the “From Mobility to Employment” conference. The panel brought together key stakeholders, including Carlo Scatoli, Senior Expert at the Directorate-General for Employment (DG EMPL) of the European Commission; Arno Schrooyen, Vice-President of the European Students’ Union; and Emna Memmi, Liaison Officer at the Erasmus Student Network for Africa and the Middle East. Their discussion focused on the value of mobility experiences in shaping students’ employability, addressing challenges related to the recognition of skills acquired abroad, and exploring ways to enhance the impact of international education.

Following its involvement in the Erasmus Careers Conference, INGENIUM played an active role in the policy seminar “What’s New in Brussels? Recent Developments in European Policies and Programmes,” organised annually by the Academic Cooperation Association. This seminar provides a platform for discussing the latest developments in the Erasmus+ programme while incorporating broader political and global perspectives. Over the course of two days, it brought together key figures in European higher education policy, including Magdalena Maciejewska, Director of the Department of International Cooperation at the Ministry of Science and Higher Education under the Polish Presidency; Stefan Zotti, Policy Officer at the Higher Education Unit of the Directorate-General for Education, Youth, and Erasmus+; Michael Gaebel, Director of the Higher Education Policy Unit at the European University Association; Rita Dias, President of the Erasmus Student Network; and Arno Schrooyen, Vice-President of the European Students’ Union.

Discussions during the seminar covered a wide range of critical topics, including the European Commission’s new policy priorities and orientations, updates from the European Parliament and the Council, and the evolving relationship between education and research agendas beyond 2025.