The EU-CONEXUS European University Alliance was recently showcased in China during The 7th China–CEEC Local Leaders’ Meeting & 2026 Shandong International Friendship Cities Cooperation and Exchange Week, held in Jinan, Shandong Province, from 24 to 30 May 2026.
The event, organized under the auspices of the Shandong Provincial Government and the China–Central and Eastern Europe Cooperation Secretariat, brought together representatives of universities, local authorities, research institutions, international organizations, and industry partners from more than twenty countries. The forum provided an important platform for dialogue on education, research, innovation, and international cooperation.
Representing the Technical University of Civil Engineering Bucharest (UTCB), a member of the EU-CONEXUS Alliance, Lavinia Turcu, Director of the International Relations Center and EU-CONEXUS Communication and External Relations Coordinator in UTCB, presented both UTCB and EU-CONEXUS to Chinese students, academic leaders, institutional stakeholders, and distinguished international guests.
During the institutional presentations and networking sessions, participants were introduced to the EU-CONEXUS vision of building a European University for Smart Urban Coastal Sustainability. Particular interest was generated by the Alliance’s innovative educational model, which enables students to benefit from international mobility, interdisciplinary learning pathways, research opportunities, micro-credentials, and joint academic initiatives across nine European partner universities.
The presentation highlighted the Alliance’s commitment to addressing global societal challenges through education, research, innovation, and engagement with regional and international stakeholders. EU-CONEXUS initiatives supporting students, researchers, and academic staff were presented as examples of how European university alliances contribute to strengthening the European Higher Education Area while fostering international cooperation beyond Europe.
The event also offered valuable opportunities for institutional dialogue with Chinese universities and organizations interested in developing long-term partnerships with European higher education institutions. Discussions focused on academic mobility, joint educational programmes, collaborative research projects, scientific publications, and innovation-driven cooperation.
A significant outcome of the visit was the strengthening of UTCB’s relationship with Shandong Jiaotong University and the China (Shandong) – CEEC Development Center for Science, Education and Industry Integration. Meetings explored future opportunities for cooperation in civil engineering, transport infrastructure, sustainable construction, applied technologies, and smart infrastructure research. Participants also discussed potential joint programmes, researcher exchanges, and international research consortia.
The growing interest shown by Chinese academic institutions in both UTCB and EU-CONEXUS demonstrates the increasing visibility of European University Alliances on the global stage. As higher education becomes increasingly interconnected, initiatives such as EU-CONEXUS play a key role in creating meaningful international partnerships that benefit students, researchers, academic staff, and society as a whole.
Through its participation in this high-level international forum, UTCB contributed to strengthening the global outreach of EU-CONEXUS and reaffirmed the Alliance’s commitment to building bridges between Europe and the wider world through education, research, and innovation.
From the shores of Europe to the academic communities of China, EU-CONEXUS continues to expand its international impact, fostering collaboration and creating new opportunities for the next generation of global citizens.
