Our General Assembly gathered from April 9 to 11 at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), which is currently celebrating its 200th anniversary
Over the three days, the Steering Committee, the General Assembly, and the six thematic working groups met. One of the most significant recent developments was the revamping of the Sino-European Engineering Education Platform (SEEEP), an initiative launched by CLUSTER 15 years ago. This platform involves a group of some of the top Chinese technical universities, including four that are ranked in the top 50 and one that is in the top 10 according to the QS ranking. Additionally, a new communication strategy has been launched, which includes updating the website and enhancing social media channels to strengthen CLUSTER’s visibility and international impact.
The highlight of the plenary session was the workshop “CLUSTER: a network to coordinate international opportunities,” during which Secretary General Roberto Zanino chaired a round table discussion with representatives of the six European University Alliances involved in the network. The discussion highlighted the potential of CLUSTER as a platform for dialogue and exchange between the Alliances, capable of generating synergies, promoting strategic alignment, and co-designing common tools and initiatives.
“From joint degrees to short-term stays abroad – what European alliances aim to achieve on a large scale with EU funding and tight timelines, CLUSTER can test and practice on a smaller scale,” said Prof. Lourdes Reig Puig, Vice President for International Strategy at the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya BarcelonaTech.
Along with the European perspective, the workshop also covered global issues, such as the cooperation with sub-Saharan Africa, introduced by INP Grenoble’s Vice President for International Relations, Prof. Gülgün Alpan, and the prospects for collaboration with China, presented by IST Lisboa’s President, Prof. Rogério Colaço. Prof. Dr. Thomas Hirth, Vice President for Innovation and International Affairs at KIT, also explained how KIT aims to become an internationally attractive hub for research, teaching, and exchange.
“The event at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology provided the CLUSTER network with an opportunity to discuss a critical issue: its added value compared to the European University Alliances, which include all 12 CLUSTER members, particularly the 7 that are part of Unite!. The lively debate among participants highlighted that the trust built among CLUSTER partners over more than 30 years serves as a fundamental asset. Furthermore, it was emphasized that CLUSTER serves as an excellent platform for sharing experiences among partners in their respective Alliances and, when appropriate, for developing collaborative projects among these Alliances. This has already been demonstrated through initiatives like the AupaEU project, which involved Unite! and EPICUR. Additionally, CLUSTER is focused on internationalization efforts beyond the borders of the EU, specifically targeting sub-Saharan Africa and China—regions identified as priorities by the Politecnico’s presidency—with a continued emphasis on Science and Technology”, stated professor Roberto Zanino, Secretary General of the Network.
There were also informal opportunities to connect: alongside the working group sessions, a guided tour with beer tasting provided a relaxed networking opportunity for those not currently involved in meetings. Shared dinners offered space for conversations, connections, and new ideas.
To close the conference, guests were given insight into the host institution’s history: during a visit to the exhibition “200 Years of KIT” at the ZKM – Center for Art and Media, the focus was on the transformation of science, technology, and society.
“It was an enriching experience to provide a space for many stimulating encounters and discussions,” summarized Klaus Rümmele, Head of INTL.
Next upcoming meeting of the Steering Committee and the working groups was also announced, to be held at the end of October 2025 at Trinity College Dublin.