BRUSSELS, June 26 (Xinhua) -- The European Commission has announced Wednesday that 17 higher education institutions from all over Europe were selected as part of the first "European Universities" alliances, said a press release of the commission.
The universities will enhance the quality and attractiveness of European higher education and boost cooperation between institutions, their students and staff, said the press release
Out of 54 applications received, 17 European Universities involving 114 higher education institutions from 24 member states were selected, based on an evaluation carried out by 26 independent external experts, including rectors, professors and researchers, appointed by the European Commission, according to the press release.
"I am pleased to see the ambition of the first 17 European Universities, which will act as role models for others across the EU. They will enable the next generations of students to experience Europe by studying in different countries", said Tibor Navracsics, Commissioner for Education, Culture, Youth and Sport.
European Universities are transnational alliances of higher education institutions from across the EU that share a long-term strategy and promote European values and identity. The initiative is designed to significantly strengthen mobility of students and staff and foster the quality, inclusiveness and competitiveness of European higher education.
The selection of European Universities includes a broad range of higher education institutions from across the EU, from universities of applied sciences, technical universities and universities of fine arts to comprehensive and research-intensive universities.
In total, a budget of up to 85 million euros (97 million U.S. dollars) is available for the first 17 "European Universities". Each alliance will receive up to 5 million euros in the coming three years to start implementing their plans and pave the way for other higher education institutions across the EU to follow.
The initiative, proposed by the European Commission in November 2017 and endorsed by the European Council in December 2017, called for the emergence of at least 20 European Universities by 2024 and is part of the push towards establishing a European Education Area by 2025.
