Engage.EU: Nine European universities teaming up to tackle new global challenges

Nine universities from across Europe are engaging in dialogue with leading figures from the international cultural and institutional scene to reflect together on the challenges of a rapidly changing global context. The third annual conference of ENGAGE.EU was held at Luiss. This consortium, established with support from the European Commission, brings together leading universities in the social sciences and business to strengthen their integration and provide greater opportunities for their students, faculty, and staff.

Climate change, the energy transition, and sustainable development were the main topics of today's plenary session, which focused on the role of higher education as a driving force behind social change in Europe. 

“The idea behind ENGAGE.EU is to pool areas of excellence to go beyond what a single university can achieve, helping to educate and inspire a new generation of European citizens—young leaders capable of making Europe a social and cultural benchmark worldwide. From an 'engaged' perspective, a university must be able to engage with all sectors of the economy, the creative industries, the professions, and institutions to tackle complex challenges, especially those related to sustainability,” commented Andrea Prencipe, Rector of Luiss.

Luiss established ENGAGE.EU in 2020, alongside leading European universities in economics and social sciences: Hanken, NHH Norwegian School of Economics, Ramon Llull University, Tilburg University, University of Mannheim, University of National and World Economy, University Toulouse 1 Capitole, and WU Vienna University of Economics and Business. Around 900 students from the Consortium have already taken part in mobility programs, ranging from the Online Exchange Initiative (created during the pandemic) to the Challenge-based expedition weeks.

The project, which received a positive assessment from the European Commission in its first phase, will continue for the next four years. Therefore, from 2023 to 2027, the plan is to offer intensive and annual mobility initiatives—such as summer schools, winter schools, expedition weeks, a blended program in Digital Transformation, and four Double Degrees—while also working on creating new joint projects for the Consortium’s students.

ENGAGE.EU is a key component of the broader commitment to internationalization at the Guido Carli University. In fact, Luiss has agreements with 311 partner universities in 65 countries and around 60 programs, including double or triple degrees and structured partnerships.