On 15 and 16 May, the University of Pisa hosted the General Assembly and Management Board of Circle U., the Alliance of which it is a member together with eight other European universities, committed to building a true European higher education area.
This was an internationally significant event that saw the participation of academic leaders from the Alliance partners, along with professors, students, and institutional representatives. In representation of the partner Universities, Rector Riccardo Zucchi welcomed in Pisa Julia von Blumenthal, President of Humboldt University in Berlin and currently President of Circle U., Svein Stølen, Rector of the University of Oslo, Françoise Smets, Rector of UCLouvain, Sebastian Schütze, Rector of the University of Vienna, Vladan Đokić, Rector of the University of Belgrade, Laëtitia Atlani-Duault, Vice President delegated to the European Union and European university networks of Université Paris Cité, Funmi Olonisakin, Vice President of International, Engagement and Service (IES) at King’s College London, Eika Berit, Pro-Rector of the University of Aarhus.
The General Assembly was an opportunity to discuss objectives, common projects and future strategies. «It was a valuable moment for us to come together and strengthen the sense of community among the nine universities of the Alliance, all of exceptional academic standing», stated Rector Riccardo Zucchi. «Beyond scientific excellence – with our nine universities boasting around fifty Nobel Prizes – the focus was particularly on teaching.»
One of the main topics debated during the proceedings was, in fact, that of student mobility, seen as a crucial factor in enhancing European academic integration. «Our long-term goal – explained Zucchi – is to achieve joint European diplomas, but to do so we first need to facilitate exchanges and ensure the automatic recognition of training activities among partner universities. In this respect, the University of Pisa is already engaged: we have initiated a process to automatically acknowledge all the activities carried out by students within the Alliance.
Another area the University of Pisa is focusing on is the development of Academic Chairs, i.e. academic figures within the Alliance who will help strengthen the ties between universities. «There’s still a lot to be built,» added the Rector, «but the journey has begun and we’re facing it with determination and a collaborative spirit.»
During the Assembly, a topic of great current relevance and significance was also addressed: the ongoing crisis in Serbia, specifically at the University of Belgrade, where – following political and social tensions arising from the events in Novisad last November – educational activities have been suspended for over six months, and teachers and staff have faced drastic pay cuts. The rector of the Serbian university, Vladan Đokić, who expressed solidarity with the students, has been the target of strong attacks by the government.
«As members of Circle U. – Said Prof. Zucchi – we expressed our concern and our full solidarity with the academic community in Belgrade. The University of Pisa will commit to bringing the issue to the attention of CRUI, reaffirming the importance of defending democratic principles and academic freedom.»
The event was held in the context of the University of Pisa’s consistent dedication to internationalisation and the development of a united, forward-looking, and diverse European academic community.
