2–4 December 2025: NEOLAiA General Meeting at the University of Salerno (Italy)

A key milestone after two years of implementation of the project “NEOLAiA – Transforming Regions for an Inclusive Europe”.

From 2 to 4 December, the University of Salerno hosted the General Meeting of the NEOLAiA European University Alliance, bringing together representatives from its nine member universities, including governance bodies and Work Package delegates. This event marked a major milestone, highlighting the project’s progress, the strength of its strategic cooperation, and its shared commitment to shaping the European university of the future.

Since its kick-off event in Brussels in February 2024, NEOLAiA has strengthened its actions in support of innovation, research and education, student mobility, and staff skills development. The Alliance also continues to pursue its ambition to forge lasting connections between universities and their regions, while promoting diversity, inclusion, and societal impact.

The meeting in Salerno provided an opportunity to showcase the Alliance’s tangible achievements while opening new perspectives. Discussions focused on the development of multiple and joint study programmes, the expansion of mobility opportunities, the reinforcement of research collaborations, as well as joint initiatives in the areas of inclusion, civic engagement, and digital transformation.

The delegation of the University of Tours

The programme of the meeting, structured around thematic sessions, interactive presentations, and a roundtable bringing together the leadership of the member institutions, enabled in-depth strategic dialogue around the core pillars of the NEOLAiA Alliance: regional impact, enhanced mobility, digital transformation, diversity, and inclusion.

In addition, working meetings dedicated to the various Work Packages provided an opportunity to review the progress of ongoing actions, coordinate upcoming operational steps, and identify new avenues for cooperation. These exchanges helped ensure the coherent, efficient, and ambitious implementation of the projects carried out by the Alliance.

The discussions were further enriched by contributions from leading European academic figures, who highlighted the growing role of university alliances in transforming higher education and fostering regional development. A forward-looking roundtable, in particular, made it possible to examine the current and future challenges facing European higher education and to highlight NEOLAiA’s specific contribution within an evolving environment.

A key highlight of the meeting, the participatory “World Café” session engaged all partners in a co-construction process to shape NEOLAiA’s strategic vision for the years ahead. The orientations and proposals emerging from these discussions informed the development of a shared roadmap, firmly oriented towards innovation, strengthened cooperation, and international openness.

Finally, by hosting this major Alliance event, the University of Salerno fully embodied the founding values of the NEOLAiA Alliance—diversity, solidarity, and a shared collective ambition. Participants left Salerno with renewed momentum and a strengthened commitment to expanding opportunities for students, supporting regions, and building an innovative and inclusive future for European higher education.