President-CEO Riitta Konkola meets President Macron in Paris – Metropolia at the forefront of European higher education cooperation

Metropolia’s President-CEO Riitta Konkola has been invited to participate in the high-level meeting “The Future of European Universities Alliances: Progress and Developments”, held today, 5 May 2025, at the French Ministry of Higher Education and Research in Paris.

During the event, President Konkola will meet French President Emmanuel Macron, a well-known advocate for European higher education cooperation. The invitation-only event brings together European decision-makers, university leaders and experts to discuss the development of university alliances, structural investments, and skills needs in support of Europe’s competitiveness. The discussions will also highlight the potential of European university alliances to attract top researchers from universities outside Europe.

The workshop explores how to balance long-term visions with short-term goals in higher education collaboration. Discussions also focus on the role of European university alliances in enhancing the attractiveness of EU higher education and supporting young people in developing future-relevant skills. In addition, the programme examines how strategic structural investments can help shift from a project-based approach towards more sustainable and long-term development.

Participation in this high-level event reinforces Metropolia’s position as an internationally connected and forward-looking university of applied sciences. It also highlights Metropolia’s active role in European higher education cooperation and strengthens ties with key strategic actors across Europe.