UNICA - Network of Universities from the Capitals of Europe

⚠️ UNICA is deeply worried about the recent developments in Serbia. Last Tuesday's intervention of the Criminal Police Directorate at the Rectorate building of the University of Belgrade - which took place without prior notification or a clear explanation of the legal basis and scope of such intervention, in addition to having been broadcasted live by pro-government television - is deeply concerning.

The tragic death of a student last 26th March should have led to a transparent and legally grounded investigation. Instead, it appears to have been used as a pretext for intrusive police actions on university premises.

We stand in solidarity with the University of Belgrade, an active member of UNICA, in its efforts to preserve academic freedom and the autonomy of the university. We acknowledge and deeply regret the tremendous coercion that students, academic and administrative staff members, researchers, and the university’s leadership have been subject to, not only on this occasion, but in the last one year and half.

We urge other UNICA member universities, as well as the competent national and European authorities, to closely monitor the situation and take all appropriate measures to ensure respect for academic freedom, institutional autonomy, and the rule of law.

As a community of universities, we also express our availability to engage constructively with all relevant actors to contribute to efforts aimed at upholding academic freedom and institutional autonomy across Europe.

👏 🤗 UNICA welcomes and supports the newly launched European Parliament Intergroup on the Future of hashtag Education and hashtag Skills for a Competitive Europe. https://bit.ly/3CZViPc

🎯 This initiative comes at a crucial time to address skills shortages, upskilling needs, and the role of education in Europe’s green and digital transition.

🤝 As a network dedicated to fostering academic collaboration, UNICA looks forward to engaging with the Intergroup, bringing the perspective of universities in European capitals to shape policies that support lifelong learning and innovation.

📸 © European Union 2025 - Source : EP

UNICA IS 35 TODAY! 🥳🎂

From a small group of 15 universities to a thriving network of 54 institutions, today we celebrate 35 years of building bridges across European capitals! 🌉

👉 In his commemorative message, the President of UNICA, Prof. Valentin Sorin Costreie, emphasizes the need for a renewed commitment to illuminism. His inspiring words remind us of the transformative power of education and research to build a brighter, more inclusive future.

🤗 To all the leaders, staff, students, and partners who have shaped this journey: thank you for making UNICA a beacon of collaboration and impact. Together, we illuminate the path forward! 🕯💡

Read the full message ➡️ https://www.unica-network.eu/unicas-president-prof-sorin-costreie-calls-for-a-new-illuminism-on-the-networks-35th-anniversary-read-the-full-commemorative-message/

🧐 How can universities and European university alliances incorporate the student perspective into the ongoing dialogue about the ?

Discover successful strategies and best practices at UNICA and 4EU+ Alliance upcoming webinar “The European Degree, Students’ involvement and the role of European universities alliances”

📝Register here: https://bit.ly/47GBERThttps://bit.ly/3Agc3AJ

Missed our kickoff newsletter for 2024? No worries! It's right here, waiting for you to dive in! 😊📰

What's Inside?
🎂 Celebration of UNICA's 34th birthday
📣 Confirmed speakers for the UNICA Days in Brussels 2024
🔜 Upcoming events you won't want to miss
📰 News from our members and partners

Stay connected and informed 👇
https://mailchi.mp/6a4bbc6fbac6/5ji3oluzm1-16053333

🎉 Happy International Day of and a joyous birthday to UNICA! 🎈📚

🤗 Let's keep Sharing, Learning, and Adding Value! 🎂

Join us at the UNICA – EUTOPIA 3rd webinar: How European University Alliances can support citizen science | 25 May 2023, 14:00 - 15:30 CEST

Discover how European University Alliances can actively support and promote this collaborative approach to research and learn how it comes to life in 3 case studies from different corners of Europe!

Check out the programme and register!

UNICA – EUTOPIA 3rd webinar: How European University Alliances can support citizen science | 25 May 2023 | UNICA Promoted by Vrije Universiteit Brussel Since January 2021, the EUTOPIA European University Alliance has been supporting citizen science through means of the EUTOPIA TRAIN project (H2020 SwafS). With this project nearing its ending, we’re looking back on the ways the Alliance has allowed citizen sc...

UNICA EduLAB “University-based Schools of Education serving capital cities in Europe" 💡🎓

Join our webinar organised in the framework of the UNICA EduLAB Working Group and promoted by King's College London

The webinar will address the ongoing developments in the cooperation between universities and their cities, extracting lessons from partnerships between city administrations and Universities’ educational divisions (Department of Education/School of Education etc).

📅 9th of May | 11h00am - 12h30pm (CET)
📍 Online
📝 Register at

UNICA EduLAB webinar “University-based Schools of Education serving capital cities in Europe” | 9 May 2023 | UNICA Promoted by King’s College London – 9 May 2023, 11:00am to 12:30pm CEST Higher Education Institutions are becoming increasingly international in their student and staff recruitment, teaching and learning, and research. Yet, universities are also expected, and rightly so, to serve local communiti...

Only few hours left before we kick off the "Reaching Out" Workshops Series by UNICA & the City. The first focuses on reaching out to and .

Input will be provided by
the Erasmus Student Network and representatives from our Member Universities, namely
🎓 University of Vienna,
🎓 University College Dublin, and
🎓 Sapienza University Of Italy

💡Join us tomorrow and learn more about how are or should be reaching out towards these vulnerable groups.

📅28 March| 10h30-12h00
📍Online
📝Info & Registrations 👉 https://bit.ly/3Xo1wMW

"Reaching Out: Universities & Societal Challenges in the city" series👐

Join this session organised in the framework of the UNICA & the City Working Group and learn how Erasmus Student Network, Sapienza Università di Roma, University of Vienna and University College Dublin are working to to groups in their .

First :
📅 28 March | 10h30am - 12h00pm (CET)
📍 Online
📝 Register at https://bit.ly/3Xo1wMW