24. 5. 2024
International cooperation in the spotlight of the Rectors' Conference of the Republic of Slovenia
On Friday 24 May 2024, varied programme of the T4EU Week was complemented by the Rectors' Conference of the Republic of Slovenia (RC RS) in cooperation with the Centre of the Republic of Slovenia for Mobility and European Educational and Training Programmes (CMEPIUS), which was hosted this time at the Faculty of Management of the University of Primorska (UP). The conference was held under the theme Internationalisation of Higher Education and the Importance of European Universities. The RC RS in the 2024-2025 mandate is chaired by the Rector of UP, Prof. Dr. Klavdija Kutnar, and the Vice-Chair, the Rector of the University of Nova Gorica, Prof. Dr. Boštjan Golob.
Today, the world has become more connected than ever with the digital age and globalisation. Great distances between Europe's universities, which in the past were a major barrier to international interaction, can now be easily bridged in a virtual environment. The almost direct interconnectedness of the world has led to the emergence of networks of European and international universities with the common goal of strengthening cooperation.
The four Slovenian universities are involved in networks such as Transform4Europe (University of Primorska), Across - European cross-border University (University of Nova Gorica), Athena European University (University of Maribor) and Eutopia (University of Ljubljana), among many others. Over the years, universities have gained a lot of experience and knowledge about good practices and challenges in these communities, that ware put in the spot light during the RC RS.
The internationalisation of higher education has also become institutionalised both at the Slovenian level with the Strategy for the Internationalisation of Higher Education and Science in the Republic of Slovenia by 2030 and in Europe with the European Strategy for Universities. Important insights into these two issues were provided by the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation of the Republic of Slovenia, Prof. Dr. Igor Papič, the Director of Higher Education, Mr Urban Kodrič, and the representative of the European University Association (EUA), Anna-Lena Claeys-Kulik, at the RC RS.
The event was excellently moderated by the esteemed Dr. Uwe Brandenburg, Managing Director of the Global Impact Institute and Visiting Professor at ESCP Berlin. A round table of distinguished guests and university representatives discussed the importance of European universities as an opportunity for professional development and knowledge building for administrative and professional staff as well as students. International mobility is of paramount importance for the development and quality of teaching and research activities. The importance of international experience for students was further underlined by Sven Idarand, Secretary General Transform4Europe Alliance.
An important milestone was also reached with the signing of an agreement establishing the Slovenian SYNCHRO-SI consortium. Prof. Dr. Zdravko Kačič, Rector of the University of Maribor, and Prof. Dr. Klavdija Kutnar, Rector of the University of Primorska. The consortium will collaborate on the construction, deployment and operation of the new Elettra synchrotron beamline in Trieste, thereby strengthening the research capabilities of Slovenian universities.
The conference also showcased several good practices in internationalisation. Dr. Blas Fernández from the University of Primorska discussed the transformation of academic careers through internationalisation. Prof. Dr. Dean Korošak from the University of Maribor presented strategies to promote mobility. Kaja Kranjčič from the University of Novo Mesto highlighted early career mobility through the StudyEU Amber Road initiative. Prof. Dr. Penka Stateva from the University of Nova Gorica emphasised the importance of international experience in doctoral training.
The end of the RC RS coincided with the end of the T4EU week at the University of Primorska, which further demonstrated to all present that international cooperation is not only a great opportunity to strengthen knowledge and competences, but also to create new acquaintances.
