The University of Dubrovnik will host the General Assembly of the EUNICoast Alliance, which will take place in Dubrovnik from 8 to 12 March 2026. This will be the first major gathering of the alliance members since its establishment, bringing together representatives of governing bodies, university leadership, the academic community, and students from partner universities.
The General Assembly represents an important milestone in the development of the alliance, providing an opportunity for joint strategic decision-making, alignment of priorities, and exchange of experiences among partner institutions at different levels of governance.
During the multi-day programme, meetings will be held by the Rectors’ Board, Vice-Rectors for Education and Research, the Steering Committee, teaching and research hubs, and the Student Council, as well as joint sessions designed to encourage broader discussion and cooperation among the various bodies within the alliance. In addition to official working meetings, the programme will include thematic discussions, joint sessions, and informal gatherings aimed at strengthening collaboration and a sense of community within the alliance.
About EUNICoast
The University of Dubrovnik is a member of the European university alliance The European University of Islands, Ports and Coastal Territories (EUNICoast), which brings together higher education institutions from across Europe with the aim of strengthening cooperation in education, research, and innovation in areas important for island, coastal, and port regions.
Alongside the University of Dubrovnik, the alliance includes Åland University of Applied Sciences (Finland), Burgas Free University (Bulgaria), Stralsund University of Applied Sciences (Germany), EMUNI University (Slovenia), University of the Azores (Portugal), University of the Balearic Islands (Spain), University of Patras (Greece), University of Sassari (Italy), University of the Faroe Islands (Faroe Islands), University of the French West Indies (France), West Pomeranian University of Technology in Szczecin (Poland), and University of Le Havre Normandie (France), which also serves as the alliance coordinator.
The partner universities, six of which are located on islands and all of which operate in coastal regions, work together on research and knowledge transfer related to the sea, its benefits for people, and the need for its preservation. Particular emphasis is placed on the challenges faced by European islands, coasts, and ports through research focused on the development of a sustainable and resilient blue economy.
Within the activities of the alliance, the University of Dubrovnik, together with the University of the Azores, leads the work package dedicated to research and innovation, within which a Virtual Project Office has been established. Through these activities, the University of Dubrovnik contributes to strengthening research collaboration among partner institutions and to the development of joint projects and initiatives.
Participation in leading these activities confirms that the University of Dubrovnik is recognized within the alliance as an institution with significant experience and expertise in the preparation and implementation of European projects, further contributing to the development of international cooperation and the research capacities of all partner universities.
The mission of the EUNICoast Alliance is to introduce international students and citizens to sustainable solutions for the development of societies in coastal and port regions and on islands, to promote a multicultural, multilingual, and inclusive European academic environment open to the world, and to develop capacities to better respond to the social and environmental challenges faced by island and coastal communities.
The European Universities Initiative is part of a European Union programme aimed at strengthening the international competitiveness and quality of European higher education, while promoting European values, mobility, and cooperation among universities.
The arrival of representatives of partner institutions in Dubrovnik further confirms the important role of the University of Dubrovnik in the development of European university alliances and its contribution to strengthening international academic cooperation.
