What can ENGAGE.EU contribute to the world? At first glance this question may seem ambitious, but looking ahead it is precisely the kind of reflection Europe’s University Alliances must undertake.

Rising to that challenge, ENGAGE.EU convened a High-Level Innovation Dialogue on 22 September 2025 in Brussels. Under the theme “Shaping Europe’s Future: Connecting Higher Education, Industry, and Policy for a Competitive Workforce,” a highly diverse group of experts gathered at the Netherlands House for Education and Research (Neth-ER).

A Unique and High-Level Setting

Held in an intimate venue opposite the European Parliament, the event brought together policymakers, academics, students, and business leaders for a dynamic discussion on European policy and the future of competitiveness.

The dialogue opened with a welcome by Prof. Wim van de Donk, President of Tilburg University, who underscored the important role of European University Alliances as drivers of excellence and transformation. In his remarks, Josep Garrell, President of the European University Association, emphasised the timeliness and relevance of high-level discussions on competitiveness — not only for businesses and policymakers but also for universities, which have a critical role in shaping Europe’s future.

Fairness and Competitiveness

A central theme of the dialogue was how to balance Europe’s drive for competitiveness with its commitment to fairness and inclusion. Bertil Tungodden, Director of FAIR at the Norwegian School of Economics and European Research Council ambassador, argued that the two must go hand in hand. His research shows that Europe has a distinctive view of inequality: while caused by merit it is often seen as acceptable, inequality caused by luck is not.

This perspective reflects Europe’s broader values. Competitiveness cannot be treated independently from social cohesion and public trust. Large-scale transformations — particularly in the labour market — will only gain legitimacy if they are perceived as fair. As Tungodden noted, fairness must stand alongside efficiency in both public policy and private business.

Next-Generation Perspectives and AI

The next generation also had a seat at the table. Maarten Kas, Vice-Chair of the ENGAGE.EU Board of Learners, underlined how crucial these debates are for students entering a rapidly changing labour market, linking his own experience of globalisation to discussions on artificial intelligence, fairness and the kind of world he and his peers hope to shape.

Anna Salomons, professor at Tilburg University’s Department of Economics, focused on technology and labour market transitions. She stressed that artificial intelligence is not necessarily replacing jobs but rather reshaping tasks. Because jobs are made up of multiple tasks, collaboration between humans and AI can enhance productivity and expertise. New roles are constantly being created, she argued, and universities have a responsibility to prepare students for this evolving landscape. As an example, she mentioned that new jobs have been created constantly over the past decades. She demonstrated that 60% of the jobs that exist today did not even exist in the 1940s.

Policy and Funding Challenges

The policy dimension was highlighted by Andrea Glorioso from the European Commission (Directorate-General for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion). He reflected on Europe’s demographic, energy, and security challenges and offered bold ideas on funding and high-risk investment. Competitiveness, he argued, is not an end in itself but a means to sustain Europe’s welfare state and social fabric. Decisions must be made quickly but also wisely — to encourage innovation without undermining Europe’s social model.

Frédéric Cherbonnier, Professor at Toulouse School of Economics, brought a provocative perspective to the discussion: He argued that high-risk investments with high return potential should be encouraged rather than supporting near-market work. He stressed that supporting high-risk research for breakthrough innovations could have the potential to shape the future.

In addition, he questioned whether broad calls and large consortia projects are the best way to achieve such breakthroughs. While valuable for training and collaboration, he pointed out their limitations when it comes to fostering real innovation. He argued in favour of a more mission-oriented approach, directing resources to a small number of highly qualified teams tackling specific challenges.

A Diverse Audience and a Common Purpose

Participants included representatives from the European Commission, regional stakeholders, the European University Association, student networks, and other European University Alliances. With attendees from Germany, France, Italy, Norway, and Austria, the event reflected the diverse and cross-cultural character that is present at the ENGAGE.EU Alliance.

Across the board there was consensus that maintaining open dialogue and partnerships is essential. By convening this High-Level Innovation Dialogue, ENGAGE.EU positioned itself not only as a European University Alliance but also as a convener and thought leader in Europe’s debate on competitiveness, fairness, and the future of work.