Successful together for Europe

FAU is a partner in a European innovation alliance

United in diversity – this not only applies to the countries of the European Union, but also to its universities. Nine universities from seven countries, including FAU, have therefore come together to form the European Engineering Learning Innovation and Science Alliance (EELISA). The aim of EELISA is to consolidate the many strengths and profiles of innovative universities who teach engineering in Europe thus facilitating learning, research and working across national borders. The alliance is being funded by the EU as part of the European Universities Initiative with up to 7 million euros.

‘The focus for us is on finding joint solutions for pressing issues in society and in technology through outstanding innovations,’ says FAU President Prof. Dr. Joachim Hornegger. ‘In the future, collaboration, initiative and dedication to the community will be increasingly important. This is the spirit of EELISA and FAU is proud to be a part of it.’

With EELISA, the participating universities want to promote initiative and innovation in teaching, and initiate research projects in conjunction with private and public partners, thereby establishing knowledge and technology transfer that promises to deliver sustainable solutions for the future. Overcoming barriers that limit the mobility and professional recognition of engineering degree programmes in Europe are also important objectives for the alliance. A joint virtual campus will enable learning, teaching, and research across borders in a modern environment and therefore link students as well as researchers.

Another focus of EELISA is to provide students with support in terms of their diversity and their varying personal backgrounds, facilitate part-time degree programmes and degree programmes for working professionals and enable all students to participate in the international EELISA communities. In addition, special emphasis is being placed on supporting equal opportunities for young female researchers in STEM subjects.

In addition to FAU in Germany, the EELISA innovation alliance incorporates the following universities: BME in Hungary, ITU in Turkey, SNS and SSSA in Italy, UPM in Spain, UPB in Romania and École des Ponts ParisTech and Université PSL with Mines ParisTech and Chimie ParisTech in France. This means it represents more than 180,000 students, around 16,000 researchers, 11,000 administration staff and around 50,000 graduates per year.

Further information is available on the following websites:

European Engineering Learning Innovation and Science Alliance (EELISA)

European Universities Initiative

Further information:

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