Essex delegation joins YUFE event in Bremen

Essex staff and students joined colleagues from across Europe for the annual YUFE (Young Universities for the Future of Europe) Alliance meeting in Bremen in Germany.

Essex is among ten universities and four non-academic partners who are shaping a European university in the form of the YUFE Alliance.

At the two-day event university leaders and staff had the chance to meet and discuss topics outside of the regular YUFE meeting schedule and deepen the relationship between the partners.

Essex Deputy Dean of Partnerships (Europe) Dr Nadine Rossol said: “The event was an excellent opportunity for some great discussions between YUFE partners and for us all to reaffirm our commitment to the future of the YUFE Alliance.

“We are committed to shaping YUFE‘s future as we are well aware how important international partnerships are for our students and staff at Essex. YUFE has already created new educational and research opportunities and we feel it is more important than ever to foster virtual and physical mobility across our YUFE partner universities.“

The Essex delegation also inclluded our YUFE Student Forum Member Hong (Nela) Nhung Le, who is studying BA International Relations and Modern Languages.

“I am incredibly grateful for having had the opportunity to participate in YUFE event in Bremen. It made me realise that no matter how far we have progressed in terms of technology, allowing us to work together on projects even if we are hundreds if not thousands of miles apart, nothing can substitute an in-person meeting,“ said Nela.

“YUFE has achieved a lot in a short span of time, most of it during the COVID pandemic, but I wonder if, going forward, in-person events will be what accelerates the journey towards establishing the Alliance as a key player in European academia and research. We come from different backgrounds and have different takes on various topics, but if we get to experience things together more, we can bridge those gaps and foster a strong sense of belonging in a YUFE community.“

The Chair of the YUFE Alliance, Professor Martin Paul from the University of Maastricht, added: “YUFE stands for a radical change in higher education. Our common goal is to establish a European university that is young, non-elitist, open, and inclusive.”