Ulysseus European University signs its first strategic partnership beyond Europe

Historic online ceremony marks milestone for Ulysseus European University and the University of Danang. This event has been part of the activities of COMPASS, a satellite project and the flagship for the Ulysseus R&I agenda.

On May 24 at 8:00AM CET /1:00PM ICT, Ulysseus European University celebrated a significant milestone by hosting an online ceremony to formalize its first strategic partnership outside Europe with The University of Danang. This landmark event marked the official launch of a collaborative effort between the Ulysseus Alliance and the University of Danang with DNIIT, broadening Ulysseus‘ global presence and setting the stage for future educational and research advancements across continents.

This achievement is the culmination of extensive groundwork laid through various meetings and initiatives between the two institutions. Key among these was the Ulysseus-Da Nang Education, Research and Innovation Forum for Smart Cities held in Danang in October 2023, which paved the way for closer cooperation. Earlier in the same year, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed at the University of Genoa, Italy, in June 2023, involving rectors and representatives from the existing Ulysseus member universities, prospective members such as the University of Münster and the University of Montenegro, and delegates from the University of Danang. This MoU aimed at establishing cooperative relations in education, research, and other mutual interests among the parties.

Signing ceremony 

The ceremony was graced by distinguished representatives from the Ulysseus Alliance and the University of Danang. Notable attendees included Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Ngoc Vu, President of the University of Da Nang; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Le Quang Son, Vice President of the University of Da Nang; Prof. Dr. Bui Van Ga, Former Deputy Minister of Education and Training and Former Director of the University of Da Nang (DNIIT); and Prof. Dr. Le Thanh Nhan, Director of the Danang International Institute of Technology (DNIIT).

From the Ulysseus Alliance, key figures included Cecile Sabourault, Vice President of Université Côte d’Azur; Prof. Paola Dameri, Vice-Rector for Internationalisation at the University of Genoa; Prof. Carmen Vargas, General Coordinator of Ulysseus and Vice-Rector for International Relations of the University of Seville; Dr. Andreas Altmann, Rector of MCI The Entrepreneurial School; Anne-Mari Karppinen, Director of Commercial International Services at Haaga Helia University of Applied Sciences; Prof. Dr. Miroslav Kelemen, Vice-Rector for Education at the Technical University of Košice; Prof. Sanja Peković, Vice-Rector of the University of Montenegro; and Professor Dr. Michael Quante, Vice-Rector of the University of Münster.

Fostering global collaboration 

The partnership underscores the commitment of Ulysseus European University to fostering global collaboration and innovation in higher education. This strategic alliance is poised to create numerous opportunities for shared success and development in the realms of education, research, and technology.

The Ulysseus Alliance looks forward to the innovative opportunities and shared achievements this collaboration will bring, further solidifying its role as a catalyst for educational excellence and research innovation on a global scale.

About COMPASS

COMPASS: Leading Ulysseus to become a European University excellence model through Research and Innovation is a Horizon 2020 project and the flagship for Ulysseus R&I agenda and strategy. This action, which is part of the Science with and for Society programme of Horizon 2020 (SwafS), will facilitate Ulysseus’ transformation process towards becoming a European university through a common R&I strategy that will in turn consolidate its Innovation Ecosystem.