UAlg participates in European events to debate ocean and sustainability policies

With the aim of bringing together different stakeholders and communities, including youth, research, innovation and academia, regions, cities, ports and islands, to take collective action in favour of ocean and water health and to debate Europe's blue future, the event also presented the EU's new ‘Union of Skills’ initiative, in which academia will play a key role in the future.

Alexandra Teodósio, vice-rector of UAlg, was the guest speaker representing UAlg and SEA-EU at ‘The Mission Ocean and Waters Roundtable with Universities’. This event brought together universities and research and education communities involved in the Mission to share best practice and discuss opportunities for developing transdisciplinary EU curricula and exchanges on ocean and water education and skills.

During this week, the blue week was also held in Brussels, with UAlg participating on 5 and 6 March in the forum of rectors and vice-rectors of the European University of the Seas at the Hanseoffice (joint representation of the city of Hamburg and the federal state of Schleswig-Holstein) hosted by the University of Kiel (CAU)). SEA-EU rectors have demonstrated a high level of involvement, actively shaping the strategic direction of the alliance and securing its position within the European Higher Education and Research Area (ERA, EHEA). UAlg was represented by the rector, Paulo Águas, and the vice-rector, Alexandra Teodósio. The first day of the meeting was attended by external experts, including representatives from the European Commission, EUTOPIA and the ECIU Alliances, who shared their knowledge on alliance governance models.

The second day was dedicated exclusively to SEA-EU members, focussing on the evolution of the alliance's governance structure, including the possible creation of a legal entity. SEA-EU rectors showed strong involvement, ensuring that they are well informed by top experts on the critical topics they have to decide on. This level of direct involvement is a distinctive strength of SEA-EU, setting it apart from other alliances.

At the end of the event, the importance of European policies on marine and maritime research was emphasised - an area of particular relevance to SEA-EU, given its coastal identity and the excellence of research in these fields.