Dear Rectors, Ladies and gentlemen,
it is my pleasure to greet you at the meeting of the European Network of Innovative Higher Education Institutions. Your collective efforts have transformed this community into a thriving hub for exchanging knowledge, ideas and experience.
Today we reflect on the pivotal role of Europe's higher education sector in bolstering the EU's capacity for innovation.
In today's increasingly complex geopolitical landscape, the EU must be able to rely on home grown innovation, including goods, services and ideas that it needs for its society.
Our universities, with the expertise of your students, teachers and researchers, are key to this.
Your contributions not only deepen institutional cooperation but also strengthen integration into your surrounding innovation ecosystems.
The European strategy for universities, spearheaded by the European universities alliances, embodies this ambition.
I am grateful for the alliance's commitment to fostering long term structural cooperation between institutions, sparking a transformation of European higher education.
This is exemplified by the remarkable journey of the University of Aveiro, whose 50th anniversary we celebrate today.
Most of you here are also part of one of the European universities. Many of you also participated in the European Education and Innovation Summit earlier this year where the alliance has presented a joint roadmap, including the creation of seven hubs.
I look forward to hearing about the progress you have made and to see how this network will further evolve.
Building on the alliance's groundwork. I would also like to thank you for the insightful recommendations you presented at the end of last year on how to inspire Europe's higher education sector to bolster the EU's innovation capacity.
The good practises you highlighted underscore the unique potential of European universities in driving innovation throughout the EU's regions.
I look forward to seeing how this network will advance its mission. You have my full support in these endeavours.
Thank you for your dedication and commitment.
I wish you a fruitful event.
Commissioner Ivanova
