La Sorbonne, France
We were proud to announce that EU4Dual was officially represented at the high-level “Choose Europe for Science” Conference, which took place on 5 May 2025 at Sorbonne University in Paris. This prestigious event brought together European leaders, policymakers, and members of the scientific community to reaffirm the continent’s commitment to academic excellence, research, and innovation.
Representing our alliance was Patxi Elissalde, Rector of ESTIA Institute of Technology, our French partner university, who attended on behalf of EU4Dual. His participation reflected our deep engagement in shaping the future of European higher education and research.
The Conference was opened by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, alongside French President Emmanuel Macron. In her address, President von der Leyen called on researchers and scientists to “Choose Europe” as their academic home, reinforcing Europe’s identity as a global hub for scientific freedom, collaboration, and excellence.
Also joining the discussion were:
- Stéphane Séjourné, Executive Vice-President for Prosperity and Industrial Strategy
- Roxana Mînzatu, Executive Vice-President for Social Rights and Skills
- Ekaterina Zaharieva, Commissioner for Startups, Research and Innovation
Together, these leaders underscored the role of research and innovation in Europe’s competitiveness and long-term prosperity.
Exploring New Support for European University Alliances
In parallel with the high-level gathering, new proposals emerged that could directly benefit university alliances like EU4Dual. A proposed “Flash COFUND” initiative was discussed, which would offer €1 million in start-up funding per alliance over two years, with simplified application and evaluation processes. If implemented, this would provide meaningful support for alliances demonstrating strong organizational readiness, with the possibility of long-term expansion.
Additionally, France announced a new chair program to attract world-class scientific talent to French institutions—an initiative aligned with EU4Dual’s mission of fostering mobility, dual education, and transnational cooperation.
A Shared Vision for the Future
EU4Dual was honored to have a seat at this important table and to contribute to shaping a shared European vision for science, research, and education. We thank Patxi Elissalde for representing our alliance with distinction and for helping ensure that dual education and applied research remain central to Europe’s strategy for excellence.
