EELISA European University Sets its Future Roadmap with Meetings at ITU

The EELISA European University Governing and Executive Boards are convening at Istanbul Technical University to shape the Alliance’s path beyond 2026.

The meetings will be hosted by Istanbul Technical University (ITU) from November 17 to 20, 2025. Rectors, presidents, directors, along with student, staff, and academic representatives from all partner institutions will gather to reaffirm their shared commitment to the consolidation, expansion, and long-term vision of the Alliance.

Süleyman Demirel Cultural Center on our Ayazağa Campus will be buzzing with activity starting Monday, November 17: members of the EELISA Governing and Executive Boards, the EELISA Student Council, administrative staff representatives, and work teams will come together under one roof. More than 130 participants are expected to attend this important onsite gathering, an event that happens only twice a year. The event marks a pivotal moment in the Alliance’s journey toward its next stage, now referred to as "EELISA 3.0."

While each EELISA governance body brings its own focus and perspective to Istanbul, all boards converge around a shared purpose: to take stock of the milestones achieved during EELISA’s first four years and to envision the next steps toward the Alliance’s expansion, consolidation, and long-term sustainability.

ITU: new chairing institution and new partners

As part of EELISA’s six-month rotating chairship tradition, Anthony Briant (Director of ENPC) and El Mouhoub Mouhoud (President of Université PSL) will ceremonially pass the symbolic “EELISA ruler” to ITU Rector Prof. Dr. Hasan Mandal. This ceremony reinforces EELISA’s spirit of shared leadership, ensuring that every institution contributes its vision and commitment to EELISA’s collective journey.

The meeting of the Governing Board, composed of high-level representatives from all member universities, will officially welcome two new associated partners to the Alliance during this session: the University of São Paulo (USP) in Brazil and the Technical University of Moldova (UTM) in Moldova. This development marks an important step in expanding EELISA’s international reach and strengthening its global partnerships.

Our Rector Prof. Dr. Hasan Mandal expressed his pleasure in welcoming the EELISA “Grand Meeting” to Istanbul and stated that he is honored to take on the chairship at such a critical moment. He emphasized that their focus in the coming term will be to anchor EELISA more firmly within their institutional strategies. He explained that their goals are to empower students, establish a deeper engagement with academic and administrative staff, and build vibrant, mission-driven EELISA communities with high societal visibility.

Throughout the two-day meeting, members of the Governing Board will review the progress achieved in line with the commitments made at their previous sessions in Paris. The meeting will also provide an opportunity to explore ways to align EELISA’s initiatives with evolving European policy priorities and to advance key strategic decisions that will shape the future of the Alliance.

Expected outcomes include the signature of the EELISA–USP and EELISA–UTM Co-Partner Adhesion Agreements, as well as the publication of the EELISA Joint Statement on Enlargement. Furthermore, the Governing Board will review and approve key documents on the sustainability of the Alliance, defining the strategy and long-term pillars that will guide EELISA’s evolution beyond 2026.

Special closing focused on research and student leadership

Two special events will serve as the finale to this intense and highly productive series of EELISA meetings. On one hand, a "Special Meeting of EELISA Research Managers," led by the ERMI EELISA Community together with the Alliance’s research working group, will focus on the specific role of research management within EELISA and its contribution to the Alliance’s long-term mission. On the other hand, the first "Student-Led Bootcamp" (November 18-20), open to students from all EELISA partner universities, will take place over two days. This inspiring event, designed by students for students, will offer participants a space for exchanging ideas and co-creating solutions to shape Europe’s future through knowledge, dialogue, and innovation.

For more information contact:

EELISA Central Communication Office: communication@eelisa.eu

ITU’s Local EELISA Communication Office: mcalimli@itu.edu.tr, eelisa@itu.edu.tr

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