EUNICE (European UNIversity for Customised Education) is made up of seven universities from seven different European countries with a common DNA: all universities are medium-sized and have strong local roots, they are undergoing a process of structural change and students are the focus of attention everywhere. Tailor-made course offerings are created for these very students in order to prepare them in the best possible way for the European labor market.

EUNICE, which includes Politechnika Poznanska (PUT, Poland), which leads the consortium; us, Brandenburg University of Technology Cottbus-Senftenberg (BTU, Germany), Universidad de Cantabria (UC, Spain), Université de Mons (UMONS, Belgium), Università degli Studi di Catania (UNICT, Italy), Université Polytechnique Hauts-de-France (UPHF, France),Vaasan Yliopisto (UVA, Finland), Polytechnic Institute Viseu (Portugal), University of Peloponnese (Greece) and Karlstad University (Sweden).

This initiative started with French President Emmanuel Macron's speech at the Sorbonne in September 2017, and was proposed by the European Commission to EU leaders ahead of the Gothenburg Social Summit in November 2017 as part of the overall vision of building a European education area by 2025. The initiative was endorsed by the European Council in December 2017, which called for the creation of at least 20 European universities by 2024. The speech by Emmanuel Macron, then 39 years young, at Paris University on Sept. 26, 2017, was about security and innovation. He spoke about dealing with migration, about Europe as an economic power and as a guarantor of sustainable development. In implementation, the EU Commission has described the establishment of "world-class European universities that work seamlessly across borders" as a key factor for the further development of the European Community.

Since the Bologna reform, the theoretical possibility exists throughout Europe that students can have their modules recognized much better reciprocally, thus increasing student mobility. Ideally, this should lead to students at partner universities being able to put together a module portfolio that is partially aligned with their individual wishes and interests.

Together with the University of Cantabria, the University of Catania, the University of Mons, the Université Polytechnique Hauts-de-France, the University of Vaasa and the Poznan University of Technology, the BTU forms the alliance EUNICE, European UNIversity for Customised Education. What all the partner universities have in common is that they tend to be located away from the urban centers of their respective countries. As a result, they have similar problems in recruiting students and staff. In addition, the regions of some partner universities are also facing the challenges of structural change. Sharing resources and collaborating at the scientific and non-scientific levels facilitates operational and strategic work for the participating universities.

The aim is to strengthen cooperation within the alliances. Students, scientists and employees have the opportunity to network with each other and to make better use of the joint offers, the infrastructure such as laboratories and the jointly available know-how from all areas. Through this exchange of knowledge and closer cooperation, the universities strive to better meet political, economic and cultural challenges.

EUNICE has the task to increase the national and regional attractiveness of all partners, as the cooperation with the regional economy is very important for the EUNICE alliance. Through the international university contacts, the often very regionally oriented economy can be internationalized and thus become more competitive.

European universities include various types of higher education institutions: from universities of applied sciences to technical and art colleges in the field of film and media to comprehensive and research-intensive universities. These alliances involve about 280 institutions from all EU member states and other countries, located not only in capital cities but also in peripheral European regions. Individual alliances are composed of an average of seven higher education institutions. While some alliances take a holistic, multidisciplinary approach, others focus, for example, on sustainable development, health and well-being, digitization and artificial intelligence, arts, engineering or space.

A total budget of up to EUR 287 million is available for the 41 European universities. Each alliance will receive up to EUR 5 million from the Erasmus+ program and up to EUR 2 million from the Horizon 2020 program for a period of three years to start implementing their plans and pave the way for more higher education institutions in the EU. Funding from both programs is an important step in strengthening the European education and research area.

Specifically, the EU funding means that each university network will receive €5 million for a start-up phase of three years, with a funding rate of 80%. For each consortium, this means that it will have to contribute 20% of its own funds, which will be financed proportionally from the budgets of each participating university.

The EU Commission has so far awarded the "European University" distinction to 41 alliances in a competitive process involving 116 applications. Behind the 41 European alliances that have now been determined are 280 individual institutions.

All areas of a participating university can and should participate in the large-scale EUNICE project. All areas are invited to contribute their ideas and suggestions to enrich the European alliance EUNICE (European University for Customised Education). Administrative departments can learn from each other through the mutual exchange of best practice experiences. In teaching, joint modules up to degree programs with the partner universities are in demand. Of course, joint research projects and the exchange of knowledge and technology transfer are also part of the program. Ideally, all pillars of the seven participating alliance universities should dovetail with each other in such a way that a new European umbrella university is created, which follows the content program of EUNICE.

For all those involved in the project, this new way of working across borders means a great gain in knowledge. Beyond this broadening of horizons, the partner universities increase their network and enlarge the scientific, student and administrative community. For young people, the EUNICE consortium can contribute to student recruitment and retention. As the infrastructure of seven universities can be used reciprocally, it is better utilized and synergies can arise. These spin-offs can also be expected in terms of initiating international research projects.

EUNICE offers a special course program for the students of its seven partner universities. Currently, more than 30 new courses have been published. The courses offered cover the various fields in which the participating universities specialize, ranging from information technology and engineering to health, history and social sciences. EUNICE courses are offered in English, are free of charge, and are taken online, hybrid, or face-to-face, depending on the offering. The courses are aimed at students and doctoral candidates, the academic and administrative staff of the universities, as well as researchers and cooperation partners.

With this extensive range of courses, students* have the opportunity to individually design their learning path and experience an international exchange with other students* from partner institutions.

But the courses are not the only way to gain multicultural experience. With the international internship database, students can find an internship abroad in Europe. The job offers are written in English and direct contact is possible. The international relations offices are happy to provide support and answer questions about funding, insurance and accreditation. In addition to international internships, universities are also looking for students to help spread the EUNICE idea.

In addition to the educational content, EUNICE also offers all participating students a sporting and cultural opportunity to think outside the box. The EUNICE Weeks, which take place across national borders, offer a colorful program of sports, culture and research.

Become a part of EUNICE and "customise your future".