On Friday 7 June, YERUN hosted an engaging and high-level meeting with key EU policymakers to discuss the future of research and education in Europe.
The day started with a dynamic discussion with Anna Panagopoulou, Director for ERA & Innovation at DG Research and Innovation, European Commission. The conversation focused on the ERA Forum, the ERA Policy Agenda 2022-2024, and YERUN’s significant contributions, particularly on ERA Actions 3 (Research Assessment Reform), 4 (Research Careers), and 13 (Empowering Higher Education Institutions). Panagopoulou emphasised YERUN’s active role and the importance of the key involvement of young universities. Our conversations addressed also critical challenges, such as defense, dual-use within research, and science for policy. Increasing spending on science and research is a pressing issue; this investment is essential for our collective development.
Looking ahead, we delved into the next ERA Policy Agenda for 2025-2027 (YERUN is heavily involved in its definition). Discussions included also the Innovation Agenda and Enrico Letta’s proposal to add a fifth freedom to the Single Market, enhancing research, innovation, and education integration.
Our next session featured an insightful dialogue with Manuel Heitor, Chair of the High-Level Expert Group on the interim evaluation of Horizon Europe. Heitor provided an overview of the four main issues the Expert Group is currently addressing: competitive excellence, industrial competitiveness, societal transition and global challenges, and the building of R&I ecosystems. Manuel Heitor also highlighted that the European Union’s current financial instruments are too slow to respond to this rapidly changing world. His comprehensive insights were highly appreciated, and we eagerly anticipate the group’s report, expected at the end of October. YERUN will provide input to the Expert Group in the form of a brief document covering the four consultation questions to which the Group is seeking input.
Following, we had a valuable meeting with Pia Ahrenkilde-Hansen, Director General of DG EAC, and Vanessa Debiais-Sainton, Head of Unit for Higher Education at DG EAC. They provided valuable insights into the recently published Higher Education Package, and we discussed more in detail the European degree and how to best enable and design it. We then explored the challenges and opportunities for the European University Initiative.
The day ended on a high note with a visit to the European Research Council (ERC). We had the pleasure of meeting José M. F. Labastida, Head of Unit – Support to the Scientific Council, and Maria Leptin, President of the ERC. Discussions centered on the current programme and future developments, emphasising the necessity of increasing the percentage of GDP allocated to research and the ERC budget.
We thank Director Panagopoulou, Chair Manuel Heitor, Director Geberal Pia Ahrenkilde-Hansen, Head of Unit Vanessa Debiais-Sainton, Head of Unit José Labastida, and President Leptin for joining us during these important meetings and look forward to continued collaboration. Friday’s meeting at YERUN underscored our commitment to shaping European research and education policies.
