On 17 October 2025, the University of Algarve (UAlg) hosted the 5th Meeting of the Forum of Portuguese Higher Education Institutions in European University Alliances (FOR.UE.PT), gathering more than 60 representatives from Portuguese universities and polytechnics involved in the European Universities Initiative.
The event brought together institutional leaders, international cooperation officers and students to discuss the future of European University Alliances, focusing on the challenges and opportunities for higher education internationalisation in the current European context.
A total of 24 alliances and 26 Portuguese higher education institutions were represented, reflecting the country’s broad participation in this transformative European movement.
The session was chaired by Patrícia Pinto, SEA-EU Vice-Rector at UAlg, and opened by Rector Paulo Águas, followed by Paula Tavares, coordinator of FOR.UE.PT and Vice-President of IPCA, who highlighted the forum’s role as a national platform for coordination and strategic alignment among Portuguese institutions engaged in European alliances.
Discussions throughout the day emphasised the need for a shared national vision, sustainable funding mechanisms, and greater student participation to strengthen the visibility and long-term impact of European University Alliances.
A round table titled “The Future of Europe – Union of Skills and European Alliances” featured Manuel Heitor, former Minister of Science, Technology and Higher Education, Daniel Aragão, President of FAIRe, and Rodrigo Carlos, President of the Students’ Union of UAlg (AAUAlg), in a lively debate on skills, innovation and inclusion as pillars for Europe’s future.
In the afternoon, Cristina Perdigão, Director of the National Erasmus+ Agency, presented “Challenges for Internationalisation – The Next European Financial Framework”, and Vanessa Vargas (CAPES, Brazil) shared insights on “Beyond Europe: Partnerships with Global Institutions”, broadening the discussion towards international cooperation beyond EU borders.
The conclusions reaffirmed the importance of communication, inclusiveness, and strategic collaboration to ensure the success and sustainability of European alliances, as well as their relevance to students and society.
FOR.UE.PT’s efforts are closely connected to initiatives such as FOREU4ALL, which aim to strengthen dialogue, policy coordination, and cooperation among alliances at the European level — a goal fully aligned with SEA-EU’s mission to foster innovation, partnership, and a united European Higher Education Area.
