The General Assembly of the European University for Customised Education (EUNICE), organised by the University of the Peloponnese - member of the alliance, was successfully held from October 13 to 16, 2025, in Kalamata.
The sessions of the first and second days were hosted at the School of Humanities and Cultural Studies, while the third day’s meetings were held at the University campus in Antikalamos, Kalamata.
The Assembly was attended by Rectors and Vice-Rectors of the ten member universities of the Alliance, members of the EUNICE Board of Directors, the EUNICE Student Advisory Board (ESAB), various working groups, academic and administrative staff, and Anna Zaremba, Policy Officer at the European Commission.
At the opening ceremony, the Rector of the University of the Peloponnese and host of the event, Professor Athanassios Katsis, as well as representatives of local and national authorities, welcomed participants to the General Assembly.
Referring to the importance of European Universities, the Secretary General of the Ministry of Education, Religious Affairs and Sports, Professor Dimitrios Bourantonis, emphasized their pivotal contribution to the “transformation of the very foundations of European Higher Education” and commended the University of the Peloponnese for “its active and strategic role” in strengthening the international presence of Greek universities.
The Deputy Governor of Messinia, Mr. Efstathios Anastassopoulos, expressed the Region’s support for educational initiatives, recognizing education as “the foundation for a sustainable and competitive future.”
In the same spirit, the Mayor of Kalamata, Mr. Athanassios Vassilopoulos, highlighted the value of universities, describing them as “the driving forces of development, innovation hubs, and pillars of progress for every society.”
The Assembly focused on the further development of joint strategies, the evaluation of the Alliance’s progress, and the promotion of collaboration among its members to achieve common goals, with particular emphasis on research, academic offerings, and international activities.
A major outcome of the Assembly was the addition of the Federal University of Viçosa (Brazil) as associated partner, expanding the Alliance’s international network. Additionally, the Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) for the Joint Open Lab (JOL) was approved, contributing to a shared research ecosystem within the Alliance, while new strategies and guidelines were established to further enhance research collaboration among member universities.
The event also included cultural activities aimed at showcasing Greek cultural heritage. On Wednesday, October 15, 2025, an olive oil tasting was held at the Kalamata Olive Oil Taste Laboratory at the University of the Peloponnese. On the final day of the Assembly, Thursday, October 16, 2025, participants had the opportunity to visit the Archaeological site of Ancient Messene.
The Rector of the University noted: “It was a very constructive General Assembly. EUNICE is growing stronger with plenty of initiatives for education and research for all members of the academic communities of the ten partner universities. This was a great opportunity to meet and develop our common strategy as well as work towards our goals in the presence of both Greek and EU officials”.
This event highlights the active role of the University of the Peloponnese within EUNICE alliance, reaffirming the institution’s commitment to promoting international collaborations, supporting research and academic excellence, and enhancing its outreach.
European University for Customised Education (EUNICE)
EUNICE is a transnational consortium of ten public European universities from ten countries: Belgium, France, Germany, Greece (University of the Peloponnese), Spain, Italy, Poland, Portugal, Sweden, and Finland.
With a vision to transform the educational experience on a European scale, EUNICE member universities aim to create and develop personalised educational pathways, promote knowledge exchange between staff, foster interdisciplinary research and implement educational approaches that address global challenges while addressing regional socio-economic issues.
More information about EUNICE: https://eunice-university.eu/
EUNICE Team of the University of the Peloponnese
