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UniLiON Annual Event, 19 November 2026, Brussels

November 19 @ 9:30 am - 7:00 pm

European Office of Cyprus is a member of UnILiON (Universities Informal Liaison Offices Network), an informal network of 60 Brussels-based university liaison offices representing more than 170 universities across Europe.

This year, UnILiON will celebrate its 10th anniversary with its Annual Event, which will take place on Thursday, 19 November 2026, from 09:30 to 19:00 in Brussels. The event has two main objectives:

  • To position UnILiON and its members as a proactive stakeholder in the European higher education landscape; and
  • To provide a platform for dialogue between UnILiON member universities and EU policymakers on issues of strategic importance to the network.

We would like to invite you to save the date and draw your attention to the following two sessions:

  1. 09:30-12:00 High-level dialogue on FP10/ECF – The Future of European R&I Policy and Competitiveness Participants: University Leadership, Rector, Vice-Rector or Pro Rector (or equivalent) and their accompanying UnILiON Brussels representatives, MEPs, (up to 70 participants).

Hosted by Eszter Lakos MEP (EPP) this high-level dialogue will bring together 6 Members of European Parliament: Parliament Eszter Lakos (EPP) , Lina Galvez (S&D), Christian Ehler (EPP), Ivar Ijabs (Renew), René Repasi (S&D), Villa Ninisto (Greens/EFA) and university rectors, vice rectors and MEPs on upcoming European R&I policy and funding landscapes. The session aims to:

  • Engage rectors with MEPs at this critical moment in the European policy cycle.
  • Reflect collectively on how FP10 and ECF proposals align with the missions, capacities, and long-term strategies of European universities, and covering R&I policy issues such as dual use, academic freedom, security and sovereignty.
  • Foster an open, active, and constructive dialogue, encouraging rectors to exchange experiences, concerns, and strategic priorities in a trusted environment.

We kindly ask you to begin engaging your rectors and senior executives to attend the dialogue. We have committed to ensuring 30 high‑level university representatives, and your support is essential.

The internal registration link is ready. Please fill it in and indicate how many rectors we can expect from your institution. Registration link to the High -level dialogue

2. 09:00-12:00 Expert session on Creativity as Europe’s Competitive Strength for Innovation Participants: University experts / researchers, European Commission representatives

This Expert Session will focus on the pivotal role of arts, design and creativity as a cross‑cutting enabler for user‑driven and open innovation. Drawing on insights from our universities’ researchers and experts, the aim is to gain a deeper understanding of how creative skills, often developed through sustainable collaboration frameworks with CCSI, are applied to design technological innovations, approaches and new training models. The session will:

  • Showcase examples of excellence from member universities to European Commission representatives;
  • Facilitate the exchange of good practices;
  • Foster new collaborations across the network; and
  • Inspire new ideas for research, innovation, and education.

We are currently collecting examples of good practices that demonstrate how artistic, design-based, and creativity-driven approaches contribute to research excellence, innovation, and innovative teaching and research methods. The deadline for submitting a good practice is 11 September 2026. Selected contributors will be invited to present their work in person during the Annual Event in Brussels on 19 November 2026.

We would be grateful if you could circulate the survey among relevant colleagues and experts within your institution who may wish to submit a good practice and, if selected, present it in Brussels. The expert survey for participation in the Expert Session is now available. Survey – expert session

Annual event 2026_briefing for executives

Please note that participants are expected to cover their own travel and accommodation expenses.

We hope that many of you, your senior representatives and experts will be able to join this important event that will enhance your institution visibility and open new collaboration opportunities.

Should you need more information or clarifications, please do not hesitate to contact us.

 

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