From 13 to 15 October 2026, nearly 250 students, researchers, university leaders and staff members gathered at Bialystok University of Technology in Poland for the Across Annual Meeting 2026. Bringing together representatives from all nine partner universities, the three-day event provided an opportunity to reflect on achievements, advance joint initiatives and shape the next phase of cooperation within the Across European University alliance.
Almost two years after the launch of Across, the Annual Meeting marked an important moment in the alliance’s development. With the ambition of connecting universities and their regions across national borders, Across is working towards a more integrated European higher education area through joint educational opportunities, research collaboration, mobility and knowledge exchange.
For many participants, the meeting was also an opportunity to connect in person with colleagues they had previously worked with primarily online. These personal encounters are an essential part of building a European University that extends beyond individual institutions.
“The true value of Across lies in the relationships, cooperation and connections that staff and students at nine universities have built in just 22 months,” emphasised Dr Agata Mannino, International Coordinator of Across.
This perspective was echoed by Professor Maximilian Eibl, Vice-Rector for Academic and International Affairs at Chemnitz University of Technology, the coordinating institution of Across:
“Across is first and foremost about people, meetings and building an integrated Europe together. In two years, we have achieved far more than we initially expected, especially given the complex structure of our undertaking.”
From joint ambitions to concrete cooperation
At the heart of the Annual Meeting were working sessions bringing together members of the alliance’s 16 Task Teams. Held across several facilities of Bialystok University of Technology, these meetings offered opportunities to review ongoing activities, address implementation challenges and coordinate the next steps of joint initiatives.
Discussions covered central areas of the Across work programme, including:
- Innovative education: Developing joint learning opportunities through micro-credentials and Atomic Learning Units (ALUs).
- Mobility: Identifying ways to facilitate student and staff exchanges and overcome administrative and legal barriers.
- Digital collaboration: Advancing the Across eCampus to connect students, researchers and educational resources across partner universities.
- Research and innovation: Strengthening interdisciplinary cooperation through Knowledge Creation Teams and the Across Think Tank.
- Community engagement: Exploring ways to involve students, staff and external stakeholders and foster a shared sense of belonging across the alliance.
Beyond the individual Task Team discussions, the Annual Meeting created valuable opportunities for exchange across different areas of activity. Bringing colleagues from education, research, administration and university management together helps identify synergies, address shared challenges and translate the alliance’s strategic ambitions into joint action.
The meeting also provided a platform for exchanging experiences with other European University alliances. Representatives of the EUNICE alliance, including Professor Mariusz Głąbowski from Poznan University of Technology, shared insights into building sustainable institutional cooperation and developing joint educational and research activities.
Students and early-career researchers at the centre
Student participation was another important dimension of the Annual Meeting. Students and doctoral researchers from Across partner universities held dedicated working sessions, exchanged experiences and explored opportunities for collaboration.
Their discussions included access to research infrastructure and laboratory equipment across the alliance, highlighting how European University cooperation can open up new possibilities for academic development and research careers.
“I think students and doctoral students are the heart of the Across University,” said Bernadetta Lubowicka, a doctoral researcher at Bialystok University of Technology.
Beyond academic opportunities, these exchanges contribute to building an international community in which students and researchers can establish professional networks, share knowledge and develop lasting connections across borders.
Building an Across community beyond the meeting rooms
While intensive working sessions shaped the programme, the Annual Meeting also demonstrated the importance of informal exchange and shared experiences.
The hosts at Bialystok University of Technology organised a diverse cultural and social programme, including Polish language workshops, campus and laboratory visits, an Across Run, Nordic walking and a guided tour of Białystok.
A highlight was the gala evening at the Podlasie Opera and Philharmonic, featuring impAKT Attune, an artistic performance combining physical theatre, live music and visuals generated in real time using artificial intelligence. The production was developed through a collaboration between Bialystok University of Technology and the Białystok Branch of the Aleksander Zelwerowicz National Academy of Dramatic Art.
These activities offered participants opportunities to connect beyond their immediate professional responsibilities and experience the cultural diversity that enriches the Across community.
Looking ahead: Strengthening cooperation for lasting impact
With the alliance approaching the midpoint of its current Erasmus+ funding period, the Annual Meeting provided an opportunity to reflect on progress and discuss priorities for the coming years.
A central ambition remains to establish structures and partnerships that will continue to benefit students, staff, researchers and the regions connected through Across beyond the current project period.
“For us, Across is far more than a four-year project. We sincerely hope and plan for it to be an undertaking that continues for many years,” said Professor Dorota Krawczyk, Vice-Rector for International Cooperation at Bialystok University of Technology.
The three days in Białystok illustrated both the complexity and the potential of building a European University across nine institutions. By bringing together different perspectives, expertise and institutional cultures, Across continues to develop new ways of sharing knowledge and creating opportunities beyond national and institutional boundaries.
A sincere thank you to Bialystok University of Technology for hosting the Annual Meeting and to everyone across the alliance who contributed to its programme and discussions.
The meeting reinforced a central message: the strength of Across lies not only in its joint initiatives, but in the people and relationships that make cooperation across borders possible.
Based on an this article originally published by Bialystok University of Technology on 15 October 2026.
