Frederick University is hosting this week the Rectors of Universities from Europe for the Rector’s Governing Board of the EU-CONEXUS alliance of European universities (nine universities from nine EU countries) that aims to develop a hub of excellence for Intelligent Sustainable Management of the Urban Coastal Zone at academic and research level. The Rectors will be welcomed by Professor George Demosthenous, Rector of Frederick University and member of the EU-CONEXUS Council of Rectors.
As members of the Council, the Rectors will participate in a series of meetings and workshops aimed at shaping the next steps in EU-CONEXUS strategy and governance. All meetings will take place at Frederick University in Limassol.
The Council’s agenda includes a review of progress in achieving the objectives of EU-CONEXUS and discussions on the advantages and challenges of the “European Universities” institution, an initiative of the European Commission aimed at strengthening strategic partnerships and developing competition between European universities in the international arena, in the framework of which EU-CONEXUS has been created. Also on the agenda will be the further development of research activity on smart, sustainable management of urban coastal zones and the enhancement of academic opportunities offered by EU-CONEXUS, through the offer of both joint study programmes (the consortium already offers a joint Master’s degree programme which had its first graduates in 2024) and short accelerated training programmes (micro credentials).
The Council of Rectors will also meet with the EU-CONEXUS External Advisory Board. These are experts who evaluate progress reports, provide guidance and propose strategies for the development of the Consortium towards sustainable coastal management.
Particular emphasis will be placed on the large student community of EU-CONEXUS. The Council of Rectors will meet with the Consortium’s Student Council, also in Cyprus this week, to exchange views and proposals. The Student Council will share what the students of the nine universities expect from EU-CONEXUS and will discuss ways to improve the educational experience and activities that can bring the university community together and enhance mobility opportunities. Furthermore, the two central bodies of the Alliance will exchange views on how to highlight the added value of EU-CONEXUS for students and their contribution to jointly shaping both the future of the consortium and the European university experience.
From 13 to 15 May, Frederick University is holding the EU-CONEXUS Cultural Festival in Limassol with many activities aimed at both the university community and the general public. More information about the festival can be found here. In addition, the annual Blue Limassol Forum will take place on 15 May, with the European Union Commissioner for Fisheries and Oceans, Kostas Kadis, as keynote speaker. Among the speakers will be the President of the EU-CONEXUS Council of Rectors, Professor Radu Sorin Vacareanu, who will address the need for integrated planning in coastal areas for a sustainable future.
The EU-CONEXUS consortium includes La Rochelle Université (France), the Agricultural University of Athens (Greece), the Technical University of Civil Engineering Bucharest (Romania), Klaipeda University (Lithuania), the Universidad Católica de Valencia “San Vicente Mártir” (Spain), the University of Zadar (Croatia), Frederick University (Cyprus), the South East Technological University (Ireland) and the University of Rostock (Germany).
Source: Frederick University | News & Events (https://tinyurl.com/y23mnwpa)