The Governing Board of the NEOLAiA European University Alliance met online on Thursday, 10 March 2022 and reiterated its full commitment in building a strong European University of the Future. The meeting was attended by Gerhard Sagerer (Rector - Bielefeld University, Germany), Juan Gómez Ortega (Rector - University of Jaen, Spain), Philippos Pouyioutas (Rector - University of Nicosia, Cyprus), Johan Schnürer (Rector - Örebro University, Sweden), Jan Lata (Rector - University of Ostrava, Czech Republic), Vincenzo Loia (Vice Rector, University of Salerno, Italy), Valentin Popa (Rector - University of Suceava, Romania), Arnaud Giacometti (Rector - University of Tours, France), and Lina Tamutienè (Director - Siauliai State University of Applied Sciences, Lithuania). Members of the NEOLAiA Steering and Executive Committees also attended the meeting.
During his address, Rector Pouyioutas highlighted the importance of the European University Initiative and the reasons why the University of Nicosia joined NEOLAiA. His remarks include the below:
''Here, at the University of Nicosia, we are truly honoured and extremely excited to join a European University Alliance and particularly NEOLAiA, a select consortium of peer, young, innovative, forward-thinking and dynamic universities with a decidedly international outlook''.
''Our University strategy is closely aligned with that of NEOLAiA and is based on similar priorities as those of NEOTRENDS. These priorities focus on internationalisation, basic and interdisciplinary applied research, flexible learning, disruptive technologies for reengineering the educational process and the learning environment, as well as diversity and inclusion''.
''The University of Nicosia has undertaken the challenge to lead the workpackage for the digital and metaverse transition of the alliance and its universities. I would like to extend my sincere thanks and appreciation to all colleagues from all partner universities for the enormous amount of time and effort invested in this initiative and for the excellent output this has produced. Special thanks to the University of Jaen and to Vice Rector Sebastian Bruque, in particular, for leading this effort. Fingers crossed for the approval of our application! I am really looking forward to our long journey together towards building the University of the Future''.
