IAU Supports the Launch of OpenEU: A New European Universities Alliance
The International Association of Universities (IAU) took part in the inaugural meeting of the OpenEU Alliance, a newly launched European Universities initiative that aims to establish the first-ever Pan-European Open University. The event was hosted by the Universitat Oberta de Catalunya in Barcelona, bringing together university leaders, policymakers, and partner organizations from across Europe.
Representing the IAU, Secretary General Dr. Hilligje van’t Land joined rectors and leadership teams from the 14 participating universities, as well as key associated partners, to support the development of a shared vision for a more inclusive, accessible, and digitally enabled European higher education space.
OpenEU is a major initiative supported by the European Commission, bringing together over 368,000 students and 24,000 academic, research, and administrative staff. The alliance focuses on:
Lifelong learning and equity
Digital transformation in education
International and hybrid mobility
Multilingualism and inclusion
Joint degrees and microcredentials
A shared virtual campus for collaboration
Innovative research into digital pedagogies
As an Associate Partner, the IAU will contribute its global perspective to the alliance’s development, helping to connect OpenEU’s vision with the broader international higher education community. During the first four years of the alliance, the IAU will organize four dedicated site visits to facilitate dialogue, peer learning, and global collaboration.
The IAU welcomes this new opportunity to support European and international partners in building more interconnected and forward-looking systems of higher education, and is proud to play a role in shaping this important transformation.
