From 2 to 4 December, the University of Salerno hosted the global meeting of the NEOLAiA European University Alliance, welcoming delegations from the nine partner universities. The plenary meeting offered an intense moment of dialogue, celebrating two years of significant progress and outlining the future directions of European higher education.
Since the last Global Meeting held in Brussels in February 2024, NEOLAiA has expanded its impact through initiatives dedicated to student and staff mobility, joint research development, digitalisation, the promotion of diversity and inclusion, and the strengthening of ties with regional communities. The meeting in Salerno provided a valuable opportunity to present these achievements and to jointly design the next phases of the Alliance.
A programme rich in dialogue and collaboration
The schedule of activities included various moments devoted to discussion and the presentation of ongoing work:
- NEOLAiA Agora, an interactive space dedicated to sharing the Alliance’s results.
- Cross-cutting thematic sessions, illustrating the transformative impact of projects across NEOLAiA’s different pillars.
- Panel with Rectors and institutional representatives, focusing on key topics such as mobility, digitalisation, inclusion and regional impact.
On the final day, the Work Package Meetings brought together the partner universities’ working groups to review progress, coordinate upcoming milestones and explore new opportunities for collaboration. These exchanges reaffirm the Alliance’s proactive and cooperative character.
Co-designing NEOLAiA’s vision
One of the most engaging moments was the World Café, which involved all delegations in shaping the long-term vision of the Alliance. The insights gathered were discussed during the final plenary meeting, contributing to the definition of the Alliance’s strategic roadmap for the coming years.
UNISA alongside a growing Alliance
For the University of Salerno, hosting the NEOLAiA global meeting was a source of great pride and an important opportunity to foster dialogue, collaboration and international openness. Delegations left the campus with new ideas, shared perspectives and a renewed commitment to strengthening opportunities for students, researchers and local communities, confirming the vitality of an Alliance that looks with determination towards the future of European higher education.
The photographic gallery of the event is available here.
