Strengthening the Circle U. Governance Community
Several appointments were confirmed during the meeting, ensuring continuity and renewed representation within the alliance’s governance bodies.
The Assembly endorsed the extension of President Julia von Blumenthal’s mandate for another year, allowing her to continue guiding Circle U. through its strategic developments.
Members also appointed Jete Gabriela Rastina and Håvard Kongevold Hornnes (University of Oslo) as student representatives to the General Assembly, reinforcing the vital role of students in the alliance’s decision-making processes. It was also an occasion for them to introduce the recently published CUSU’s political stance on the Union of Skills and the role of Circle U. in realising this agenda.
In addition, the Assembly approved the nomination of Professor Berit Karseth (University of Oslo) to the Management Board, succeeding Professor Bjørn Stensaker.
Open Campus: Significant Expansion of Joint Educational Offers
An extensive update on the Open Campus, delivered by Dean Eivind Engebretsen, highlighted the rapid growth of Circle U.’s shared educational ecosystem.
Key points included :
- 44 joint credit-bearing offers available in 2025 (up from 10 in 2024), with all universities contributing.
- 19 new modules planned for spring 2026, including a new master’s programme.
- Strong progress in developing sustainability-focused modules, now totalling 22 across the alliance.
- Growing institutional support, with local teams, funding mechanisms, and guidelines established for coordinated course development.
- Strengthening the role of the Academic and Scientific Council as a strategic body, supported by published roadmaps for hubs and platforms.
The update underscored the alliance’s shift from experimentation to systematic upscaling and long-term consolidation.
Revamping the Academic Chair Programme
The Assembly reviewed the evaluation of the Academic Chair programme carried out by MEL Office Audrey Sullivan-Reilly at the request of the Board, which plays a central role in linking teaching, research and innovation across the alliance.
Discussions focused on:
- The need for clearer, more consistent terms of reference across universities.
- Ensuring transparent recognition and incentives for Chairs, adapted to their responsibilities.
- Strengthening collaboration with Academic Directors and aligning activities with Circle U.’s long-term priorities.
- Enhancing accountability by encouraging structured activity plans and periodic reviews.
These discussions will feed into a renewed version of the programme, aiming to increase motivation, visibility and impact across institutions.
Reflecting on the Future of the Alliance
During their meeting, rectors and presidents also opened a strategic reflection on Circle U.’s long-term future. Acknowledging that the European funding landscape remains uncertain, they reaffirmed their collective determination to continue strengthening the alliance’s ecosystem. Their discussions highlighted the importance of sustaining Circle U.’s transformative momentum within each institution, ensuring that the structures and collaborations developed in recent years remain anchored beyond specific project cycles.
A New Milestone: Circle U.’s First Joint Master's
Ahead of the General Assembly, Circle U.’s rectors signed a letter of intent marking an important milestone for the alliance: the creation of its first Joint Master's in Public Governance. Developed jointly by UCLouvain, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin and the University of Pisa, the programme will officially be launched in 2026. This new master strengthens the alliance’s academic integration and reinforces its commitment to developing high-quality, transnational educational pathways.
