SUA in Nitra at the EUA Annual Conference 2026: Cooperation and trust as the foundation of the future of universities
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A representative of the Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra Hana Zach participated in the European University Association (EUA) Annual Conference held on 16–17 April 2026 in Istanbul, Turkey. The prestigious event brought together academic leaders from more than 40 countries and opened discussions on how universities respond to a changing global environment.
The main theme of the conference was cooperation – across countries, sectors, and disciplines. Discussions confirmed that partnerships between universities, the public sector, and industry are key to strengthening innovation, Europe’s competitiveness, and addressing current societal challenges.
Special attention was also given to European Universities alliances, which represent a model of deeper and more strategic cooperation among higher education institutions. EUA highlighted their contribution to internationalisation, joint study programmes, mobility of students and staff, and the development of innovation. At the same time, EUA speakers pointed to challenges such as sustainable funding, coordination among partners, differences in academic systems, and the need for active engagement of the entire academic community. Building trust, effective governance, and aligning strategic goals among partners were identified as key success factors.
A strong emphasis was also placed on the issue of trust. Universities today face increasing societal polarisation and declining trust in institutions, and therefore need to actively communicate their activities, remain open to the public, and safeguard academic freedom. Trust was repeatedly highlighted as the foundation of successful and long-term partnerships.
“SUA in Nitra is actively engaged in topics that are highly relevant for all universities within EUA – from sustainability (Spotlight on Sustainability), through artificial intelligence and digitalisation, to democracy and the societal responsibility of universities,” said Hana Zach.
The final plenary session summarised the key outcomes of the conference and emphasised that cooperation – whether among universities, with non-academic partners, or within faculties and institutional units – is a key driver of development. The need to actively engage society and strengthen communication with the public was also highlighted, along with challenges related to protecting academic values and freedom. Particular attention was given to digitalisation as a tool for transforming cooperation.
Among the main challenges identified were ensuring adequate funding, advancing internationalisation in the context of a changing geopolitical landscape, and managing cooperation effectively.
The conference confirmed that cooperation is a key factor for the success of universities in a dynamic environment. For future development, it is recommended to strengthen involvement in international alliances, enhance communication with the public, support internal cooperation within institutions, and actively monitor European policies and funding programmes.
