Open EU Alliance
The Open European University (OpenEU) is the first pan-European open university, uniting Europe’s leading open and distance education institutions with on-campus universities and a diverse network of partners. Powered by technology and innovation, OpenEU aims to tackle three key challenges in the European Higher Education Area: digital transformation, inclusiveness and equity, and lifelong learning for a new generation of Europeans.
As an associate partner, the International Association of Universities (IAU) brings its global perspective and expertise in higher education internationalization to support OpenEU’s goals. Through active collaboration and knowledge sharing, IAU helps enhance the alliance’s impact across Europe and beyond.
In its role as an Associative Member of the OpenEU Alliance, the IAU will organise four Site Visits to OpenEU members.
Study Visits
UNED
Madrid, Spain
10-11 February 2026
Universidade Aberta
Lisbon, Portugal
20-21 October 2026
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Bifröst University
Bifröst, Iceland
2027
FernUniversität in Hagen
Hagen, Germany
2028
2028 Study Visit at Fernuniversität in Hagen, Germany
Hagen, Germany
More information soon to be announced…
2027 Study Visit at Bifröst University, Iceland
Bifröst, Iceland
More information soon to be announced…
2026 Study Visit at Universidade Aberta, Portugal
20-21 October 2026 | Lisbon, Portugal
The second in a series of four OpenEU Study Visits will take place at the Universidade Aberta, the single public distance education university in Portugal. Thoughout its teaching activities, UAb comprehensively uses the most advanced technologies and methods of Distance Learning, without geographical borders or physical barriers, and giving special emphasis to the expansion of the Portuguese language and culture within the Lusophony space.
More information, such as the goals of the visit and the two-day programme, is available in the event brochure. A practical guide to Lisbon and UAb is available here.
2026 Study Visit at UNED, Spain
10-11 February 2026 | Madrid, Spain
As an Associate member of the Alliance, the IAU hosted the first of four OpenEU Study Visits on 10-11 February 2026 at UNED - Universidad Nacional de Educación a Distancia in Madrid, Spain. The Study Visit brought together colleagues from 16 institutions and 13 countries who valued the opportunity to learn from UNED's experience and engage in meaningful cross-border exchange. Through its engagement in the OpenEU alliance, the IAU is pleased to extend the impact of the Alliance beyond Europe and create a network of peers sharing their experiences.
Within the OpenEU framework, the Study Visit highlighted UNED’s longstanding commitment to accessible and inclusive education and distance learning. UNED advances equity and access through dedicated support structures, including a specialised centre for students with disabilities and targeted initiatives for learners who are often underrepresented in traditional higher education, such as incarcerated individuals or adult learners.
