ENHANCE – European Universities of Technology Alliance
Based on the highly acclaimed speech of French President Emmanuel Macron at the Sorbonne University in Paris in 2017, the concept of European Universities was developed by EU Member States, higher education institutions, and student organizations. In the second round of the EU Commission's Europe-wide call for proposals, ENHANCE – European Universities of Technology Alliance was awarded 5 million euros in funding for a three-year project period.
What Is ENHANCE?
Together with six other technical universities, RWTH Aachen University founded the European alliance, ENHANCE, at the end of 2020, thus pursuing the vision of a European university that, as an important part of European society, promotes a common identity, transcends borders, and strengthens the principles of innovation, inclusion, creativity, and responsibility. The alliance has since grown to include three more technical universities.
We will drive responsible societal transformation by enhancing a strong alliance of European Universities of Technology, empowering people to develop and use science and technology responsibly and turn global challenges into opportunities.
The project is based on the European values formulated in the Treaty of Lisbon – respect for human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, the rule of law, and respect for human rights, including the rights of minorities. In the three-year funding period, ENHANCE will lay the foundation for unrestricted mobility of students, researchers, and staff within the network, the establishment and expansion of transdisciplinary research activities with societal stakeholders, and the joint strengthening of sustainable innovations and start-ups. In line with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, ENHANCE will be focusing on the topics of climate action, smart and sustainable cities, and digitalization and artificial intelligence in this phase.
ENHANCE Annual Report on Diversity and Gender Equality
Follow the link below for the recent Annual Reports and more information on Diversity and Gender Equality in ENHANCE:
DAAD Podcast About ENHANCE
RWTH was a guest on the “Campus Europa” podcast to discuss the topics of equal opportunities and diversity with other universities. Learn in this episode how ENHANCE wants to create more diversity and social participation.
Who Is ENHANCE?
In addition to RWTH Aachen University, nine technical universities are part of the European Alliance: TU Berlin (Germany), Chalmers University of Technology (Sweden), Norwegian University of Science and Technology (Norway), Politecnico di Milano (Italy), Universitat Politècnica de València (Spain), Technische Universiteit Delft (Netherlands), Warsaw University of Technology and Politechnika Gdańska (Poland), and the Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule Zürich (Switzerland). In total, around 245,000 students study at the seven partner institutions. The past five years have already seen more than 4,400 students and staff go on an exchange between the partner institutions.
In addition to cooperation between the universities, ENHANCE's focus is on exchanges with practical partners from industry and business, including more than 30 associated partners from industry, business, civil society, and public administration.
What Is ENHANCE Aiming to Achieve?
Building the European Education Area
A higher education innovator system will give students, employees, and researchers the chance to become part of the network. Together with partners from business and industry, borderless mobility is to be made possible.
Creating a University Alliance Which Empowers People
A participatory process will be used to develop a flagship model for teaching so that students and researchers can reach their full potential, regardless of their socioeconomic or cultural background.
Forming a European University of Technology Which Is an Integral Part of Society
A European university as part of a European society. It is about value-based teaching, in connection and dialogue with industry, politics, and society.
Getting You Involved
Are you interested in getting involved or are you already cooperating with one of the ENHANCE partner universities? We are looking forward to hearing from you and would be happy to have you on board!
Find out about the Funding Opportunity of Research ENHANCE.R for establishing new research cooperations.
ENHANCE also offers various different exchange opportunities for students.
Subscribe to the ENHANCE Facebook and Instagram channels to stay up to date with the network's latest activities!
The students of RWTH Aachen University are looking forward to the opportunities that the ENHANCE Alliance will bring. ENHANCE promises to connect students from some of the best universities in Europe, create a more diverse study environment, and ensure greater interdisciplinary mobility between all possible fields of study.
Alex Schütt, Master's student at RWTH