The participation of the Democritus University of Thrace in the regular meeting of the Governing Boards of the EMERGE European University Alliance was successfully concluded. The meeting took place on April 21-22, 2026, at Matej Bel University in Banská Bystrica, Slovakia.

The meeting served as a milestone for the Alliance’s strategic trajectory, bringing together the Governing Board, the Student Advisory Board, and the Project Management Team. The primary objective was to coordinate actions focused on bridging higher education with local communities.

Key Highlights of the Meeting:

• Multilingualism: The new EMERGE language policy was presented, aiming to promote linguistic diversity and pluralism within the European Higher Education Area.
• University-Society Connection: The Alliance presented its policy for fostering the meaningful relationship between academia and society, focusing on a substantial social footprint.
• Regional Resilience: During a special event at the Banská Bystrica City Hall, the role of universities as catalysts for innovation, growth, and cohesion within local communities was emphasized.
• International Cooperation: The President of the EMERGE Governing Board, Ricardo Cao Abad, stressed that in an era of geopolitical uncertainty, cooperation within the framework of the European University Alliance is essential for a stronger Europe, particularly for institutions located outside traditional metropolitan centers.

The participation of DUTH in the EMERGE Alliance reaffirms the University’s commitment to excellence, social responsibility, and the shaping of a common European educational environment without borders.