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​Article by Fulda University of Applied Sciences
Photo by Fulda University of Applied Sciences/Nicole Dietzel

Focus on milestones and future strategies

​​​​​Fulda University of Applied Sciences has been a full member of the European University Alliance "Engaged and Entrepreneurial European University as Driver for European Smart and Sustainable Regions" E³UDRES² since 2023. More than 100 members from all nine partner universities have now met for the first time in Fulda for the alliance's annual conference. One year after the start of the current funding period, the focus was on the interim goals already achieved and the upcoming milestones. For two days, the participants from the nine partner universities exchanged views on joint initiatives in the areas of teaching, research and transfer in panel discussions, working groups and presentations.

​​​​​​In his welcoming address, Fulda University President Prof. Dr Karim Khakzar emphasised the importance of the European University Alliance for Fulda University of Applied Sciences and the region. The annual conference is a wonderful opportunity to present the city and region of Fulda and, of course, the university itself to the many members of the partner universities. Prof. Hannes Raffaseder, E³UDRES² coordinator and CEO of St. Pölten University of Applied Sciences, emphasised in his welcoming address the successes to date in consolidating the initiative, while Lord Mayor Dr Heiko Wingenfeld highlighted the importance of the European alliance for the region and its stakeholders.

​​​​​​The EU-funded university alliance E³UDRES² has been passing since 2020, and university president Karim Khakzar took stock of the courses and periods abroad during the current funding phase: "Last year, a total of 137 students were able to strengthen the transfer between the nine cooperation partners as part of an exchange programme, 16 of them from Fulda. With the numerous courses and exchange programmes, E³UDRES² will make a decisive contribution to the further internationalisation of our university in the future."

In his welcoming address, E³UDRES² coordinator Prof Hannes Raffaseder added: "European Universities are among the EU's most important flagship initiatives for the further development of the European Higher Education, Research and Innovation Area. Our E³UDRES² alliance focuses on strengthening regional innovation systems in order to support small and medium-sized towns and rural regions in particular in their digital, ecological and economic transformation. In a comparatively short period of time, the Fulda University of Applied Sciences has developed into a strong member of our European University and contributes significantly to our success."

​​​​​​In his speech, Lord Mayor Wingenfeld categorised the relevance of the alliance for the region: "The city of Fulda, with its close European ties and influences dating back to the 8th century, seems predestined for this conference of a European University Alliance. The city and the region will also benefit from the alliance, as one of its aims is to build a bridge between research, training, regional enterprises and innovation and to generate synergies. European exchanges generate ideas and solutions that help the respective regions to develop."