Bridging Continents: Higher education as a tool for EU–Southern Mediterranean cooperation
From brain drain to brain circulation: Fostering shared growth through academic exchange
- 11 December 2025
- European Parliament, Brussels
As the New Pact for the Mediterranean nears adoption, the Euro-Mediterranean University (EMUNI) and the Euromed University of Fes (UEMF) in cooperation with the Brussels-based Slovenian Business & Research Association (SBRA) are delighted to invite you to a high-level conference on 11 December 2025 at the European Parliament in Brussels, supported by the Union for the Mediterranean.
The event, “Bridging continents: higher education as a tool for EU–Southern Mediterranean cooperation,” will explore how higher education can drive the Pact’s implementation, strengthen regional alliances, and promote structured EU–Southern Mediterranean dialogue. We are honoured that the European Commissioner for the Mediterranean, Ms Dubravka Šuica, has confirmed her participation as keynote speaker.
Bringing together leading policymakers, institutions, and stakeholders from both shores of the Mediterranean, the conference will focus on how academic exchange can transform shared challenges into opportunities for growth and cooperation.
Key topics include:
- Building Euro-Mediterranean university alliances and fostering integration in higher education, research, and innovation
- Advancing mobility, joint research, and turning brain drain into brain circulation
- Empowering youth and women, and addressing irregular migration through education
- Leveraging EU funding mechanisms (Erasmus+, University Alliances, Horizon Europe) to build a stronger Euro-Mediterranean higher education area
This international gathering offers a unique opportunity to shape a common vision for education-driven cooperation and sustainable development across the Euro-Mediterranean region.
Practical arrangements, including registration and visa support, will be managed by the Slovenian Business and Research Association (SBRA).
08:00 – 09:00 | Registration of participants
09:00 – 09:30 | Opening Ceremony
Welcome by:
Rado Bohinc, President, EMUNI
Mostapha Bousmina, President, Euromed University of Fes
Draško Veselinovič, Director, Slovenian Business and Research Association
Vladimir Prebilič, Member of the European Parliament
Secretary General, Union for the Mediterranean
[TBC Speakers]: Representatives from the Ministry for Foreign and European Affairs (Slovenia), Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Innovation (Slovenia), Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Innovation (Morocco), and Ministry of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates
09:30 – 10:00 | Keynote Address
Dubravka Šuica, European Commissioner for the Mediterranean:
Strategic Use of Education in the Euro-Mediterranean Neighbourhood Policy
10:00 – 11:00 | High-Level Policy Panel – Education as a Strategic Driver for Euro-Mediterranean Stability and Integration
Objective: Set the strategic and political context, highlighting education as a soft power tool for EU–Southern Mediterranean cooperation, enlargement, and diplomacy.
Topics:
Geopolitical importance of higher education in the Euro-Mediterranean space
Education as a vehicle for democratic transformation and societal resilience
Role of academic diplomacy in enlargement and neighbourhood policy
Aligning education with EU foreign policy and the future Euro-Mediterranean Pact
Strategic educational investments for stability, mobility, and integration
Participants: Representatives of the Union for the Mediterranean, Directorate-General for Education, Youth, Sport and Culture (European Commission), Directorate-General for the Middle East, North Africa and the Gulf (European Commission), Euromed University of Fes, and EMUNI
11:00 – 11:30 | Coffee Break & Networking
11:30 – 12:30 | Panel I – Building South–North Mediterranean University Alliances for a Shared Higher Education Space
Objective: Explore institutional models and policy frameworks for building Euro-Mediterranean university alliances that support teaching, mobility, research, and innovation.
Topics:
Creating inclusive and sustainable South–North university alliances
Institutional challenges in long-term partnerships (degree recognition, credit systems, QA frameworks)
Role of regional networks (UNIMED, EUA, AARU, Tethys)
Supporting institutional capacity-building in Southern Mediterranean universities
From bilateral cooperation to multilateral integration
Participants: Representatives of regional networks and university associations from North and South Mediterranean
12:30 – 14:00 | Lunch
14:00 – 15:00 | Panel II – Enabling Academic Mobility and Brain Circulation through University Alliances
Objective: Discuss how university alliances can drive structured academic mobility, brain circulation, and inclusive access to education.
Topics:
Inter-university alliances as facilitators of sustainable mobility
Gaps and limitations in Erasmus+ for Southern Mediterranean institutions
Circular mobility models and incentives for talent return
Visa and recognition challenges
Empowering youth and women through targeted exchange programs
Participants: Rectors/Presidents of universities from North and South Mediterranean, representative of European Students’ Union
15:00 – 16:00 | Panel III – Advancing Research and Innovation Integration through Euro-Mediterranean Alliances
Objective: Explore how university alliances can facilitate collaborative research, innovation transfer, and alignment with EU priorities.
Topics:
Strengthening cross-border research through university consortia
Facilitating Southern Mediterranean access to Horizon Europe and PRIMA
Fostering inclusive R&I agendas (digitalisation, sustainability, climate)
University–business–policy cooperation and innovation diplomacy
Enhancing participation of women and early-career researchers
Participants: Representatives of the Directorate-General for Research and Innovation (European Commission), research institutes, and funding organisations
16:00 – 16:30 | Closing Remarks
Speakers
Rado Bohinc – President, EMUNI University
Mostapha Bousmina – President, Euromed University of Fes
Draško Veselinovič – Director, Slovenian Business and Research Association
Vladimir Prebilič – Member of the European Parliament
Secretary General, Union for the Mediterranean
[TBC]: Representatives from:
Ministry for Foreign and European Affairs, Slovenia
Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Innovation, Slovenia
Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Innovation, Morocco
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates
Dubravka Šuica – European Commissioner for the Mediterranean
Representatives of the Union for the Mediterranean
Directorate-General for Education, Youth, Sport and Culture (European Commission)
Directorate-General for the Middle East, North Africa and the Gulf (European Commission)
Euromed University of Fes
EMUNI University
Representatives of regional networks and university associations from North and South Mediterranean
(e.g., UNIMED, EUA, AARU, Tethys)
Rectors/Presidents of universities from North and South Mediterranean
Representative of European Students’ Union
Representatives of the Directorate-General for Research and Innovation (European Commission)
Representatives from research institutes and funding organisations
Co-organizers
