In a landmark move to reshape European higher education, the EELISA Alliance has released a powerful joint statement titled “Education for Impact – EELISA Joint Degrees Empowering the Next Generation of European STEAM Leaders.” Signed during the recent EELISA Governance Meetings in Paris, this declaration underscores EELISA’s collective commitment to developing impactful, transnational joint degrees aligned with the European Degree initiative and rooted in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The statement positions joint degrees as pivotal tools for fostering innovation, sustainability, and democratic values within the European Higher Education Area. At a time marked by geopolitical tensions, climate urgency, and rapid technological advancement, EELISA emphasizes the critical role of universities in shaping inclusive, flexible, and interdisciplinary educational pathways-especially within STEAM fields (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics).
A central feature of this vision is the EELISA Joint Education Roadmap, a strategic framework integrating joint degrees into existing curricula. The roadmap highlights mechanisms such as micro-credentials, mobility supplements, and pedagogical innovation to enhance learning experiences and international recognition. The recent launch of DigiTwins, the first EELISA Joint Master’s program, exemplifies this new era of cross-border academic collaboration.
EELISA also leads the JEDI (Joint European Degree Label in Engineering) policy experimentation project, collaborating with accreditation bodies like ENAEE to ensure high academic standards and cross-institutional credibility. Looking ahead, the alliance envisions Joint Degrees as bridges to global academic communities, drawing international talent and fostering deeper research and educational cooperation.
The statement concludes with a united pledge from institutional leaders, students, and staff across all EELISA members to champion Joint Degrees across disciplines and borders. Signatories include rectors and directors from 10 partner universities, as well as EELISA President Dale A. Martin, Executive Director Sofia D’Aguiar, and other alliance representatives.
By embedding joint degrees into the core of its educational mission, EELISA is driving forward a shared vision of a truly European, inclusive, and globally connected knowledge space.
