Professor Dr Angelika Epple on her election: "I would like to thank the members of the European University Association for their confidence in me. I am honoured and delighted to be elected as a member of the Board, and at the same time this is a great task in special times: Threats to academic freedom are worldwide more immediate than ever before. This affects us all directly as European universities and we must vigilantly defend democratic values - that's what I want to do."
The European University Association is working towards initiating a common science policy at European level - especially in times of geopolitical challenges and rapid social change. Angelika Epple said at the EUA's annual conference: "The academic freedom that we have long regarded as a given within European societies and liberal democracies worldwide now requires vigilant defence. As a community of European universities, it is now our important role to actively protect this freedom and speak with a common voice."
As an EUA board member, she wants to work in particular to ensure that students are taught a critical approach to knowledge production in the age of big data and AI. Other important points on her agenda include the structural and financial strengthening of interdisciplinary European research collaborations and a commitment to making Europe an opportunity for students, researchers and teachers to gain experience - from opportunities for exchange semesters to job placements at European partner universities.
As a board member, Angelika Epple is responsible for developing and implementing the guidelines of the European University Association together with her European colleagues. In addition to Angelika Epple, Gregor Majdič (Rector of the University of Ljubljana, Slovenia) and Manuel Tuñón de Lara (former Rector of the University of Bordeaux, France) were elected to the EUA Board for the first time. Ivanka Popović (former Rector of the University of Belgrade, Serbia) was re-elected for a second term on the Board. A committee nominated the candidates following a selection and interview process for the election at the EEA Annual Conference.
The European University Association plays a key role in building university communities across Europe and creates networked systems for European higher education and research. Bielefeld University is also a member of the EUA. National rectors' conferences from 49 European countries are also represented - from Germany, the German Rectors' Conference (HRK).