Building a transnational European University: Leading governance, research & innovation agendas, and joint degrees
The European Commission positions the European Universities initiative as a flagship instrument to strengthen Europe’s global competitiveness through integrated education, research, and innovation.
Industry
Higher Education
Client
The European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA)
Project
Innovations of Regional Sustainability: European University Alliance (INVEST)
Services
Program management
Year
2021-2023
Title
The INVEST European University Alliance brings together universities to foster innovative, sustainable regional development and advance the European Education Area.
I served as International Programs Manager for Van Hall Larenstein University of Applied Sciences and a member of the INVEST Board, leading the development of joint study programmes and lifelong-learning pathways, coordinating the international research and innovation agenda, and contributing to the governance, cooperation, quality assurance, and staff development frameworks.
To establish a transnational European university delivering joint education and research, and developing multidisciplinary programmes addressing sustainability and regional economic transitions.
INVEST works through a quadruple-helix model, engaging the public sector, private sector, research and education, and civil society in analysing challenges and co-creating solutions. A key factor was shared implementation: partner universities jointly developed and embedded curricula, governance models, and support systems, with strong involvement of management, academic, and professional staff.
The alliance delivered a joint Research and Innovation Strategy, launched multiple international Bachelor’s and Master’s specializations, and introduced transnational education pathways for students from 2023. INVEST also expanded, with major universities—including the Universities of Milan, Córdoba, and Reims—joining the alliance, strengthening its scale and impact.