Rectors’ Board of the ACROSS European Cross-Border University held at the University of Nova Gorica

“We are delighted to have hosted the rectors of the ACROSS European Cross-Border University on this special occasion. At the meeting, we focused on key tasks ahead of us in establishing the international alliance as a single entity in the field of higher education,” stressed the Rector of the University of Nova Gorica, Prof. Dr. Boštjan Golob, after the session of the Rectors’ Board.

As part of the Rectors’ Board, a consortium agreement for the implementation of a four-year alliance programme was also signed.

The day before the Rectors’ Board session, the rectors and other representatives of the ACROSS Alliance attended the formal celebration academy marking the 30th anniversary of the University of Nova Gorica. In his address at the ceremony, the Rector highlighted the importance of connecting universities:

“We must be aware that since Slovenia’s entry into the European Union and the almost simultaneous introduction of the Bologna system, the Slovenian higher education area has been completely open to Europe and shares some of its challenges. One of these is fragmentation, which prevents European universities from acting as a strong counterbalance to larger American and Asian institutions.

Together with partner institutions across Europe, Slovenian universities are addressing this challenge by forming international networks, the so-called European Universities. It gives me great pleasure and honour to welcome today among us the rectors of the ACROSS European Cross-Border University Alliance, which unites ten member universities, all from Europe’s border regions. Together, we strive to address specific challenges and to lay the foundations of a unified European institution that will connect more than 110,000 students.”

The ACROSS European Cross-Border University brings together ten European universities. Alongside the University of Nova Gorica, the alliance includes eight universities from different border regions: Chemnitz University of Technology, Germany; Bialystok University of Technology, Poland; University of Udine, Italy; University of Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina; University of Perpignan Via Domitia, France; University of Girona, Spain; University of Craiova, Romania; Angel Kanchev University of Ruse, Bulgaria; and an associated partner university – Ivan Franko National University of Lviv, Ukraine.

Andreja Leban, Public Relations