One year of UNINOVIS

That is why we joined UNINOVIS – Data for L.I.F.E. European University Alliance this past October, which celebrated its first anniversary on 18 March. Collaborations like this require perseverance, but the pace and energy within UNINOVIS are promising.

Chair of the Executive Board, Elisabeth Minnemann: “For THUAS, joining UNINOVIS marks the next step in positioning ourselves as an internationally oriented knowledge institution within the European Education Area. UNINOVIS is not a project for us, but a strategic choice to anchor our education, research, and partnerships at the European level.”

Connection with THUAS

UNINOVIS consists of eight universities that collaborate on innovative education and research in the field of data science and artificial intelligence. We officially became a member in October 2025, but the collaboration had actually started a year earlier. UNINOVIS coordinator, Jerke Verschoor: “In fact, we’ve been talking to the partners for a year and a half and were already participating in several initiatives. We have even submitted joint research proposals, some of which have already been approved.”

In recent years, THUAS has increasingly invested in the digital domain (data and AI), which aligns perfectly with UNINOVIS. Jerke: “Our HAAI Campus and the Beethoven Zuid-Holland project fall into that category, and we apply the knowledge we gain from our partners there.’’

Building connections

If you want to play a role at the European level, you need to connect with European alliances. Jerke: “We collaborate with students and lecturers on multiple projects related to internationalisation. Think of internationalisation at home, short-term projects, long-term exchanges, and collaborations with industry. These are great developments, but the ultimate goal of such an alliance is a European education area that makes it easier to exchange students, staff, and educational programmes.”

It’s an ambitious goal and at the same time a complex challenge. That is why within UNINOVIS we collaborate not only in the fields of education and research but also with colleagues from IT, the Service Centre for Education and Research, and our legal team. “In doing so, we not only strengthen mobility but actively contribute to building an integrated European education area where education, research, and innovation come together”, says Jerke.

Looking ahead

Besides the projects that have already begun, the UNINOVIS partners have even bigger plans. Jackie van Marle, head of team Strategy: “We are meeting more frequently and truly seeking each other out. During these meetings we discuss different ways to jointly develop and make our education accessible, both physically and digitally. We also connect our researchers within UNINOVIS so that together we can increase the impact of our research in Europe.”

Students will increasingly notice this alliance, as the range of international activities will expand, so be sure to keep an eye on UNINOVIS.

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