Last week, charter members of the European University Foundation (EUF) network gathered in Milan for the EUF Governance Week, hosted by the Università degli Studi di Milano. Over three days, EUF coordinators and Vice Rectors came together to take stock of the network’s work, agree on its strategic priorities for the years ahead, and reflect on the future of the Erasmus+ programme.
Setting the course: towards a roadmap for EUF priorities
On 4th November, while the EUF Steering Committee reviewed the annual report, discussed network configurations and contributed to the 40th anniversary, the Council of Rectors members reviewed our achievements in 2026, discussed the Roadmap for our new Executive Manager, and assessed the steps we had taken to ensure Business Continuity for Erasmus Without Paper in advance of the transition to the new ecosystem under ESCI+ in 2028.
EUF Coordinators also reviewed the Steering Committee’s report to the Council of Rectors and discussed the 2027 work programme and budget. Coordinators also had the opportunity to hear the latest updates on Erasmus Without Paper (EWP) and the fundamental shifts that lie ahead.
Peer learning among Vice-Rectors
As part of the week, charter members of the network also met for a special peer-learning seminar for Vice-Rectors. The seminar gave universities the opportunity to share and unpack some of the most pressing challenges facing higher education, while projecting a path forward together. Discussions focused on three themes:
- demographic decline and its impact on universities as institutions of knowledge;
- funding, and what it means for internationalisation;
- the advent of artificial intelligence and its impact on higher education.
The session closed with a keynote by Prof. Dr. Silvia Salini on the evolution of dynamics of university teaching in Italy.
Strategic Dialogue
Another highlight of the week was the Strategic Dialogue with the aim of informing colleagues on the ongoing negotiations on the future of Erasmus+ and what that means for institutions, discussing priorities of the member universities, and identifying action points for the EUF network. The strategic dialogue was joined Dr. Leo Kilroy, Education and Skills Attaché to Ireland’s Permanent Representation to the EU and Katarzyna Biniaszczyk Accredited Parliamentary Assistant: MEP Bogdan Zdrojewski (EPP) who unpacked the programme priorities and fundamental budget questions. Bringing EUF institutional leadership and EU institution expertise into the same room, the Dialogue provided a space to ask questions, reflect on what the programme means for universities today and what it must deliver tomorrow.
Looking ahead
The EUF network leaves Milan with a clearer and shared direction, a stronger sense of its members’ priorities, and next steps for shaping the future of Erasmus+. The conversations that began last week will now feed into the network’s ambitious objectives of contributing to the policy dialogues and its own strategic roadmap.
We warmly thank all participants for their time, openness and contributions throughout the Governance Week. Our special thanks go to the Università degli Studi di Milano for its hospitality and for giving such a warm welcome to the network!