From 26 to 28 May 2026, more than 40 colleagues from across the ENGAGE.EU alliance gathered at WU Vienna for the annual Area Learning Community Meeting, bringing together key actors to reflect, connect, and shape the next phase of collaboration.

The meeting provided a valuable space for in-depth exchange on the development of ENGAGE.EU’s Area Learning. It was kicked off with an inspiring keynote by Nadia Manzoni (CEU), who offered insights from research on the European Universities Initiative to provide perspectives on the bigger picture and set the stage for discussions on the role of collaborative teaching and learning across transnational higher education.

Throughout the following program, participants engaged in structured sessions addressing where the Area currently stands following the Midterm Review, while also looking ahead through future-oriented scenario thinking. Conversations spanned key dimensions of alliance-level education, starting with the advancement of joint programs and other shared curricular activities aimed at deepening academic collaboration across institutions. They also explored ways to strengthen the role and visibility of extracurricular learning, ensuring it complements and enriches formal educational pathways. In addition, discussions focused on enhancing supporting infrastructure and streamlining operations, while further refining governance and coordination from various angles to enable more efficient and coherent implementation. Building on these reflections, the group collaboratively worked on translating shared ambitions into concrete actions and principles, focusing on the sustainable development of impactful initiatives, processes, and structures benefiting the entire alliance.

Beyond the formal sessions, the gathering allowed for lots of informal exchange and community-building over coffee breaks, shared meals, and sunny strolls. Moreover, a guided visit to the Austrian Parliament offered an opportunity to connect with the local political context and reflect on the broader societal mission of European University Alliances.

The Vienna meeting once again highlighted the strong commitment, collaborative spirit, and shared vision driving the Area Learning, and with it ENGAGE.EU, forward. Building on the momentum generated, partners will continue their discussions in follow-up meetings in the coming weeks to consolidate outcomes and define tangible next steps.