“Connect for Global Impact” — under this inspiring theme, representatives from academia, industry, government, public administration, and civil society came together at the second summit of the European university alliance SUNRISE, hosted by Mälardalen University (MDU) in Västerås, Sweden. The event focused on advancing sustainable regional development, innovation, and societal transformation through stronger international collaboration.
The second SUNRISE Summit at Mälardalen University successfully combined two major international initiatives: the European university alliance SUNRISE and MDU’s Global Impact Forum, which this year highlighted sustainability and India as a strategic partner of the European Union.
Building on the momentum of the inaugural meeting of the strategic alliance – coordinated by TU Ilmenau and uniting nine European universities – in January 2025, the summit once again proved to be a vibrant platform for strengthening European cooperation and generating fresh ideas for research, teaching, and regional development. TU Ilmenau President Kai-Uwe Sattler emphasized the importance of this continued exchange and collaboration:
A central focus of the SUNRISE presidents’ board meeting was the further development of joint degree programs and the future role of European university alliances in the upcoming EU funding period. Discussions highlighted the strong commitment of all partners to shaping a more connected and innovative European higher education landscape.
The summit also addressed key topics such as knowledge transfer, regional innovation partnerships, lifelong learning, and entrepreneurship support. Numerous real-world examples showcased the impressive progress already achieved through collaborative innovation projects within the alliance, thus underlining the tangible benefits that international cooperation brings to regions, economies, and society as a whole.
Participants also continued shaping the vision of a shared European campus. Conversations explored new digital learning opportunities, joint professional development programs, and innovative ways to deepen collaboration and exchange among partner universities. Julian Wüster, SUNRISE Coordinator at TU Ilmenau, noted:
The personal dialogue on site not only enabled an intensive professional exchange, but also strengthened mutual understanding and reinforced the alliance’s shared vision.
Students from the partner universities once again demonstrated their vital role within the alliance by presenting jointly developed industry-focused software projects and student-led initiatives that vividly reflect the European spirit of SUNRISE. Meetings of the SUNRISE Alliance Student Council further expanded opportunities for student participation and active involvement in shaping the alliance’s future.
In addition to the universities, representatives from industry and government across all SUNRISE regions actively contributed to the summit. Workshops and panel discussions opened up exciting new possibilities for interregional cooperation and laid the foundation for future joint initiatives. As Julian Wüster concluded:
Connecting not only universities, but also the regions in which we play an important role, is a core pillar of our alliance. The second SUNRISE Summit powerfully demonstrated how European collaboration across borders and disciplines inspires new ideas, drives innovation, and creates lasting partnerships, thus fully embodying our shared motto: ‘SUNRISE: Empowering Regions, Inspiring Europe.’