The ENGAGE.EU Governing and Advisory Boards Discussed Key Topics for the Future hosted by UNWE Sofia
The University of National and World Economy – Sofia hosted a two-day meeting of the Governing Board of the European University Alliance ENGAGE.EU, chaired by the Rector of the UNWE, Prof. Dr. Dimitar Dimitrov.
The rectors and representatives of the rectors’ offices of the 10 universities in the European alliance arrived at the UNWE for the strategic meeting – Prof. Thomas Fetzer, Rector of the University of Mannheim, Germany, Prof. Ingmar Björkman, Rector of the Hanken University of Economics, Finland, Prof. Barbara De Donno, Vice-Rector of the University of Luiss, Italy, Prof. Helge Thorbjörnsen, Rector of the Norwegian Business School (NHH), Prof. Antoinette de Bont, Vice-Rector of the University of Tilburg, the Netherlands, Prof. Carlo Gallucci, Deputy Rector for International Alliances of Ramon Llull, Spain, Prof. Manuel Ammann, Rector of the University of St.Gallen, Switzerland, Prof. Marion Fortin, Vice-Rector of the University of Toulouse Capitole, France, Prof. Rupert Sausgruber, Rector of the Vienna University of Economics and Business, Austria. The Secretariat was represented by the secretary general of the ENGAGE.EU Alliance Sabine Sainte-Rose, Moritz Fleischmann, and Ruurd Bruin.
The Rector of UNWE Prof. Dr. Dimitar Dimitrov opened the meeting in his capacity as Chairman of the Governing Board of ENGAGE.EU. In his welcoming speech, he emphasized the significance of the meeting, which he described as a strategic moment for the university alliance and outlined the main issues for discussion: “The report by the European Education and Culture Executive Agency was clear and recognized our achievements. But it also showed a gap – between the ambition and the evidence of transformation, between the coordination and the real capacity to act. The direction of our Strategy 2035 has been confirmed. What is needed now is faster implementation. And faster implementation requires the right governance. It requires shared priorities. It requires a stronger commitment. The good news is that we already have the most important: We have trust. That is our foundation”.
Prof. Dimitrov highlighted the dynamically changing external environment, unguaranteed funding, and rising expectations that require ENGAGE.EU to be a sustainable structure for ensuring a high-quality higher education in Europe. We must become a real model of transformation. We should also remember that the status of a European University is not something to be taken for granted. It must be earned, again and again, through content and initiatives, through results and through courage.” The Rector emphasized that the degree programs are one of the most important priorities for the majority of partner universities and it is a clear strategic direction that must be addressed urgently. Prof. Dimitrov expressed his confidence in the fruitfulness of the meeting, which over the years might prove to be a pivotal moment, one that came at exactly the right time in the alliance’s development.
Prof. Carlo Gallucci also greeted the Rectors in the hall and delivered a welcoming speech, expressing his gratitude for the hospitality and the excellent organization of the meeting. He emphasized the importance of the event for the future development of the alliance, as it will provide an opportunity to assess both the positive and negative outcomes, learn lessons from experience, and make important strategic decisions so that, no matter how different the universities are within the alliance’s structure, they can work as a unified entity and follow a common path.
Among the main issues in the meeting’s agenda were a review of the European Commission’s mid-term report assessing the project’s progress, the financial sustainability of the alliance, and the implementation plan for the ENGAGE.EU Strategy 2035 and its broader integration into the policies of partner universities, as well as topics related to joint professorships and the academic identity of ENGAGE.EU, alongside discussions on public engagement and other issues regarding the alliance’s future development.
A meeting of the ENGAGE.EU International Advisory Board was held in parallel with the meeting of the Governing Board. The programme also included joint panel discussions dedicated to key topics in the ENGAGE.EU agenda.
The guests visited the Bulgarian National Bank where they were welcomed by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Petar Chobanov, Deputy Governor, Head of the Banking Department, member of the Governing Council of the Bulgarian National Bank and UNWE lecturer, and by Lyubomir Karimansky, member of the Governing Council of the Bulgarian National Bank.
During the second day of the event, the sessions continued with a discussion on Academic Identity and Joint Professorship, highlighting ongoing efforts to strengthen collaboration across ENGAGE.EU partner institutions and further develop shared academic frameworks.
The rectors then received an update and forward-looking vision from the Board of Learners, offering valuable insights into student engagement and the evolving role of learners within the alliance.
The organization of the international event was headed by Assoc. Prof. D.Sc. Michael Musov, institutional coordinator for ENGAGE.EU at the UNWE.
Following a networking coffee break, representatives from member institutions came together to share recent developments, initiatives, and achievements, reinforcing transparency and mutual learning across the network. One of which is the new improvement on our website, the news section from our partner universities.
The session concluded with an open discussion on a topical issue, creating space for dialogue, reflection, and collective input on key priorities shaping the future of ENGAGE.EU.