T4EU Drives Internationalisation at EAIE Glasgow 2026

The Transform4Europe (T4EU) European University Alliance joined more than 7,000 higher education leaders, innovators, and policymakers in Glasgow for the 36th Annual EAIE Conference and Exhibition (8–11 September 2026). Hosted at the Scottish Event Campus (SEC), this year’s conference centres on the theme The Rhythm of Revolution, challenging institutions to question the status quo and forge partnerships that deliver lasting systemic change.

‘EAIE 2026 marks an important milestone for Transform4Europe. After four participations, we are no longer presenting the potential of a European University Alliance but demonstrating its transformative impact. As an increasingly integrated European campus, T4EU shows how joint education, research, innovation, and regional engagement are already creating tangible value across Europe’ – said Prof. Dominik Brodowski, T4EU Secretary General (Saarland University).

As European University Alliances continue to redefine cross-border higher education, T4EU representatives are engaging global stakeholders, presenting key alliance initiatives, and establishing new international academic pathways.

‘We stand for academic freedom. Where we find partners and stakeholders that follow this purpose, we will be there. We will also be there for those that, through partnership with European Universities Alliances, will have the strength to stand for this freedom. As we cannot be everywhere at the same time, regions neighbouring Europe and the Mediterranean, as well as Central and South-East Asia, are our priority’ – said Francisco Mendes Palma, T4EU Global Engagement Director (Universidade Católica Portuguesa).

Embracing the Rhythm of Revolution

Reflecting on the conference theme, T4EU delegates emphasised how transformation shapes every aspect of the Alliance’s strategy and daily operations. They stressed that educational evolution requires a continuous rhythm of change, moving away from rigid degree structures and isolated ‘ivory towers’ toward flexible, challenge-based learning and active dialogue with external stakeholders. By fostering inclusive, sustainable, and interconnected environments, the Alliance equips staff and students to drive meaningful impact across institutions and local communities.

‘Educational revolution is not a single breakthrough but a new rhythm of continuous change. T4EU is helping universities move beyond rigid degree structures towards more flexible, challenge-based and interdisciplinary learning, while giving academic staff new opportunities to collaborate, experiment and teach across institutional boundaries’ – noted Tomas Mickevičius, Steering Committee Member (Vytautas Magnus University).

‘To succeed in this rhythm of change, universities must unlearn operating as isolated ivory towers. We must embrace flexible short-form learning, short-term mobility, and rapid updating of our academic offering. Combining empathy and active dialogue with external stakeholders alongside academic creativity gives us our best chance for success’, emphasised Prof. Małgorzata Myśliwiec, Steering Committee Member (University of Silesia in Katowice).

‘Transformation is written in our name, pouring into the very core of the Alliance. We are transforming as individuals and institutions to positively impact surrounding communities. By becoming more inclusive, sustainable, and interconnected, we actively live our green and digital strategies across multiple levels’, stated Aleš Oven, Steering Committee Member (University of Primorska).

Driving Tangible Value for Students and Staff

Throughout the event, T4EU delegates highlighted how joint initiatives directly benefit students, researchers, and staff by empowering them to become true knowledge entrepreneurs.

‘At T4EU, we have understood that European universities drive a fundamental change that greatly improves the quality of our cooperation, ultimately providing better mobility opportunities to our students and staff. Research shows that an international experience greatly supports self-realisation, and this is where we get our motivation to drive collective action’, explained Prof. Michaël Mrissa, Steering Committee Member (University of Primorska).

‘T4EU empowers knowledge-entrepreneurs by connecting learning, collaboration, and real-world challenges. Staff develop new skills through the T4EU Professional Development Programme, while students gain experience through T4EU Weeks, Summer Schools, Stakeholder Challenges, and Student Competitions – turning knowledge into ideas, solutions, and impact for Europe’, added Lukas Redemann González, T4EU Alliance Coordinator (Saarland University).

T4EU Delegation and On-Site Presence

Key delegates representing the Transform4Europe Alliance included:

• Francisco Mendes Palma, T4EU Global Engagement Director (Universidade Católica Portuguesa)
• Tomas Mickevičius, Steering Committee Member (Vytautas Magnus University)
• Prof. Michaël Mrissa, Steering Committee Member (University of Primorska)
• Prof. Małgorzata Myśliwiec, Steering Committee Member (University of Silesia in Katowice)
• Aleš Oven, Steering Committee Member (University of Primorska)
• Prof. Rytis Pakrosnis, Steering Committee Member (Vytautas Magnus University)
• Lukas Redemann González, T4EU Alliance Coordinator (Saarland University)