Halmstad University becomes a European University
Halmstad University is forming a new European University together with eight other European universities in the HEROES alliance. The European Universities are an initiative of the European Commission to increase the quality and competitiveness of education and research. Through digital innovation, HEROES also aims to strengthen the regional resilience across the nine regions in which they operate.
“We are facing major challenges that we can only tackle on a global level. Therefore, it is important that we together open up for international meetings between students and teachers.”
Susanna Öhman, Vice-Chancellor Halmstad University
Last week, it was announced that Halmstad University is now part of the European University (HEROES). The purpose is to make it easier for students to do their education abroad, promote collaborations and increase mobility. The initiative also strives to equip students with essential skills to be able to meet societal challenges with interdisciplinary and international solutions.
“The fact that we have become a European University is extremely gratifying news. We are facing major challenges that we can only tackle on a global level. Therefore, it is important that we together open up for international meetings between students and teachers”, says Susanna Öhman, Vice-Chancellor at Halmstad University.
Networks with common goals and challenges
In early February, Halmstad University submitted an application to become a European University within the European University Initiative (EUI), a programme from the European Commission. Together with eight other European higher education institutions and around 40 associated partners from academia, public authorities, businesses and society, the European University HEROES is now formed. The work on the application has taken place in a university-wide working group. Varberg Municipality, Halmstad Municipality, the County Administrative Board and Region Halland also participated in the preparations.
The alliance of the nine universities is called HEROES (Higher Education for Resilience-Oriented and Empowered Societies). The focus of HEROES is to strengthen regional resilience with digital innovation – something that is in line with Halmstad University’s focus areas Health Innovation and Smart Cities and Communities.
By focusing on education, research, innovation and community service, the alliance contributes to:
- actively contribute to the EU’s ambitions for digital, green and societal solutions
- together with Halland’s regional ecosystem, strengthen resilience and digital innovation capacity
- connect decentralised regions with metropolitan areas, acting as a bridge for industrial and urban transformation
“With the European University HEROES, we will increase our international brilliance, which is crucial to continue driving quality and research forward. In addition to increased mobility and promoting intercultural understanding, the alliance opens up for much better access to funding from the EU, which is crucial for the development of our research and collaboration on a global level”, says Simon Holmesson, Director of international relations, Halmstad University.
Text: Linnéa Andersson and Simon Holmesson
Photo: Helena Bengtsson
About HEROES
HEROES is an alliance consisting of nine European higher education institutions. The alliance was formed in 2017 and is now also a European University.
Higher education institutions that are part of the European University are:
- Thomas More University of Applied Sciences – Belgium
- Fontys University of Applied Sciences – The Netherlands
- University College Northern Denmark – Danmark
- Polytechnic University of Beja – Portugal
- Deggendorf Institute of Technology – Germany
- Halmstad University – Sweden
- Seinäjoki University of Applied Sciences – Finland
- Vilniaus Kolegija/Higher Education Institution – Lithuania
- Mendel University – Czech Republic
