Ulysseus begins in Innsbruck the path toward the third phase of the alliance

More than one hundred representatives from partner universities of Ulysseus took part in the Ulysseus Summit held at MCI The Entrepreneurial School® on 11 and 12 June. Over the course of two days, academic leaders, researchers, professors, students and administrative staff reflected on the strengths and weaknesses of the project and explored opportunities for its third phase.

The event opened with a speech by the President of MCI, the Entrepreneurial School®, Prof. Andreas Altmann, who welcomed all participants and highlighted the importance of gathering as many perspectives as possible to help shape the next phase of Ulysseus. He was followed by Ulysseus General Coordinator, Rocío Martínez de Pablos, and Ulysseus General Manager, Inmaculada Periáñez, who also addressed the audience and highlighted the importance of the event.

The entire summit was based on the concept of co-creation as a way of shaping Ulysseus 3. To begin, participants were divided into diverse groups composed of people from different universities and holding different roles within their institutions. They discussed which practices had worked best so far and which aspects should be improved in the next phase of the project. Afterwards, a spokesperson from each group shared their reflections with all attendees.

Advancing Collaboration: Insights from Parallel Sessions

After the plenary session, several work groups held parallel sessions based on the nine work packages that currently structure the alliance. The sessions provided a dynamic and constructive space to review progress, strengthen collaboration, and shape future directions across the alliance. Participants engaged in productive discussions to assess ongoing activities, share insights, and develop strategic ideas that will support informed and confident decision-making. Significant attention was given to the development of joint academic programmes, with a strong spirit of cooperation guiding alignment efforts, co-creation, and the definition of clear next steps.

The programme also highlighted key priorities such as inclusion, diversity, and capacity building, while reinforcing connections between research, innovation, and funding opportunities. Student representatives actively contributed by reflecting on achievements and planning future initiatives, including governance and events. The sessions concluded with an engaging exchange among communication experts, generating valuable ideas to enhance outreach, collaboration, and overall impact.

Panel Discussion on The Role of European Universities

One of the standout moments of the summit was the inspiring panel discussion on the role of European Universities. This engaging session brought together summit participants, key stakeholders, and higher education institutions from Austria and the European Region Tyrol–South Tyrol–Trentino that are actively involved in European University Alliances.

This activity offered valuable insights into the strategic importance and future evolution of these alliances, highlighting their growing contribution to shaping European higher education and strengthening Europe’s position on the global stage.

The event highlighted the powerful role of alliances in driving Europe’s competitiveness, cohesion, and innovation through shared collaboration and resources. Discussions emphasized their growing strategic importance at both national and European levels, as well as their contribution to peace and shared values. Students were placed at the heart of these efforts, with strong support for greater inclusion, mobility, and cross-border experiences. Participants also focused on future skills, particularly in AI and STEAM fields. Overall, there was a strong call for alliances to create meaningful societal impact, aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals and strengthened regional partnerships.

Where Vision Meets Future: MCI, The Entrepreneurial School’s® 30th Anniversary

The week concluded with the celebration on Friday of MCI’s 30th anniversary. The jubilee ceremony, titled “Where Vision Meets Future,” was opened by key representatives of MCI and the Tyrol region and brought together founding pioneers, partners, staff, students, and alumni. It offered a fitting moment to reflect on shared milestones and inspiring achievements, while underscoring MCI’s strong impact, continued excellence in education, research, and global engagement, and its outstanding track record, evidenced by growing demand and consistently high performance.

About Ulysseus

Ulysseus is one of the 73 European Universities alliances selected by the European Commission under its flagship initiative of the European strategy for universities. These alliances, co-funded by the European Commission, bring together almost 650 higher education institutions of all types from across Europe.

Led by the University of Seville, the Ulysseus European University Alliance encompasses seven other partner universities: the Université Côte d’Azur (France), University of Genoa (Italy), the Technical University of Košice (Slovakia), MCI | The Entrepreneurial School® (Austria), Haaga-Helia University of Applied Sciences (Finland), the University of Münster (Germany), and the University of Montenegro (Montenegro).