On 19 January 2026, representatives of the Berlin and Brandenburg university alliances met at the HTW Berlin campus. Colleagues from TU Berlin (ENHANCE), FU Berlin (Una Europa), HU Berlin (Circle U.), Europa-Universität Viadrina (ERUA), BTU Cottbus-Senftenberg (EUNICE), Universität Potsdam (EDUC) and Herties School of Governance (CIVICA) were invited. HTW Berlin was also happy to welcome some external guests: Lena Gelhaar from Berlin Partner für Wirtschaft und Technologie, Bettina Bauer and Falk-Florian Hoene from the Brandenburg Ministry of Science, Research and Culture, and Kai Franke from the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD). 

As part of the European University Alliances, all participating universities pursue common goals: to create a networked European campus, to enable students and staff to gain diverse international experience, and to develop high-quality, internationally oriented teaching and learning programmes.

The alliances have varying levels of experience: while some universities have been working in European university alliances for five years, HTW Berlin is one of the newer members. At the same time, many of the challenges and tasks facing all alliances are similar.

Against this background, HTW Berlin invited the Berlin and Brandenburg alliances to a joint exchange. The aim was to share experiences, learn from each other and gain new inspiration for their own work. Thematic workshops provided space for discussion, networking and establishing new contacts.

The event kicked off with a keynote speech by Prof. Dr. Katharina Simbeck on the topic of university teaching and artificial intelligence, one of the core themes of the European University Alliance EUonAIR. The focus then shifted to overarching, more political issues that are currently shaping the work of universities and university alliances.

The higher education landscape in Berlin, but also across Europe, is currently under considerable pressure. Financial cuts and a noticeable shift to the right in society are shaping the everyday work of many universities, including and especially in their cooperation within European alliances. Against this backdrop, the participants discussed the following questions, among others:

• Universities in times of cutbacks. What role can universities in Berlin and Brandenburg play in creating attractive international programmes despite limited resources? How can universities remain creative, open and inspiring places?
• Europe is shifting to the right. How do we position the work of university alliances against this backdrop? What does this development mean for our daily work – and what contribution can we make as alliances?

During the exchange, it became clear that the alliances are already creating low-threshold and resource-saving internationalisation opportunities through their work, thereby actively counteracting the reduction in opportunities for students.

At the same time, all those involved see the work of European universities as a contribution to an open, democratic Europe: through intercultural education, cross-border cooperation and a focus on common European values, university alliances make an important contribution to society.

A significant highlight of the event was the gathering of students representing other university alliances that also have a partner in Berlin/Brandenburg. Students from Circle U., ERUA, Una Europa and the EUonAIR were present.

Students engaged in productive dialogue regarding the common tasks and struggles they face as representatives within their respective European Alliances. For the student body at HTW, this was an invaluable opportunity to learn form the established frameworks of older alliances. 

Beyond individual Alliances, the importance of strengthening collaboration among the universities was emphasized. Students consider these local networks as vital to the success of these projects.

By fostering these connections, student can share resources and insights more effectively, while also establishing themselves as a driving force in shaping a truly and supportive European Campus across the Berlin and Brandenburg region.

The meeting showed how valuable continuous exchange is for successful cooperation – and how much universities can learn from and with each other. We would like to thank all participants and look forward to further exchanges.