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Giving Students a Voice in Europe

At ENGAGE.EU’s recent annual conference in Barcelona, student representatives gained support on an issue they consider crucial to ensuring students have a say in the alliance.

NHH students Mathias Brokhaug Gabrielsen and Sibora Tefa took part in the three-day ENGAGE.EU Annual Conference in Barcelona as student representatives. Photos: Board of Learners/ ENGAGE.EU and Ina-Cristine Helljesen

‘New generations will follow us, Gaudí said. But you are not just following in our footsteps. You are building the future together with us, here and now.’

That was the message Sabine Allain Sainte-Rose, Secretary General of ENGAGE.EU, shared as more than 150 participants from the alliance’s ten partner universities gathered for the annual conference in Barcelona. The event brought together students, university leaders, faculty and administrative staff from across the alliance.

Among the student representatives were NHH students Sibora Tefa and Mathias Brokhaug Gabrielsen. Together with nine fellow members of the Board of Learners (BoL), their role was clear: to make sure students’ perspectives were heard.

The agenda covered the alliance’s future direction, preparations for a new EU funding application and ways to strengthen collaboration between the partner universities.

For Sibora Tefa and Mathias Brokhaug Gabrielsen, the conference was also an opportunity to get to know the other student representatives in the alliance better. After several online meetings throughout the autumn, meeting in person was particularly valuable for sharing experiences and planning upcoming student activities together. Photo: Board of Learners/ENGAGE.EU

For Tefa and Gabrielsen, the conference was an opportunity to help shape the alliance’s future while planning activities for students across Europe.

‘For me, it is first and foremost about making sure NHH students are heard, both when major decisions are made and when new activities are planned,’ says Tefa.

After just one year at NHH, Mathias Brokhaug Gabrielsen from Asker has gained valuable international experience and new perspectives on European cooperation. ‘Being able to represent NHH students internationally has been a great privilege,’ he says. Here, he is pictured with Elias Anttila, a student representative from Hanken in Helsinki. Photo: Board of Learners/ ENGAGE.EU

Students make their voices heard

One of the key issues at the conference was whether students would continue to have a representative on the alliance’s Governing Board. Following discussions and strong input from student representatives, it was agreed that they would retain their seat.

‘It shows that the leadership actually listens to us and is willing to make changes,” says Tefa.

Gabrielsen believes it is essential that students have a say in shaping the alliance’s future.

‘Ultimately, the alliance exists largely for the students. That is why our perspectives and priorities must be taken into account,’ he says.

Want more NHH students to get involved

Both Tefa and Gabrielsen highlighted the opportunity to connect with students from other countries as one of the most valuable aspects of this year’s conference. They exchanged experiences, learned how other universities operate and gained new perspectives on cross-cultural collaboration.

At the same time, they pointed to a shared challenge: many students are still unaware of the opportunities ENGAGE.EU offers, from courses and workshops to conferences and other international activities.

‘It’s easy to try an ENGAGE activity. Give it a go, and if you enjoy it, you can get more involved,’ Gabrielsen encourages fellow students.

Both hope that more NHH students will discover ENGAGE.EU and take advantage of the opportunities the alliance has to offer.