As Vice-Rector for Internationalisation at VUB and Vice President for EUTOPIA, Karin Vanderkerken has played a key role in guiding VUB’s involvement in the alliance. For her, EUTOPIA represents more than a collaboration; it’s a strategic tool for building innovative partnerships that drive forward education, research, and institutional development.
"EUTOPIA will become increasingly entrenched at the university"
At its core, EUTOPIA offers opportunities for universities like VUB to explore new educational projects and methods that weren’t previously within reach. A prime example is the creation of Connected Communities, which bring together students and staff from across institutions to collaborate on educational initiatives. “EUTOPIA is a tool, not a goal,” Vanderkerken says, underscoring that the alliance is about leveraging collaboration to meet larger strategic objectives, whether it’s sharing research infrastructure or pioneering new ways of learning.
EUTOPIA’s early days were marked by the challenge of convincing staff of its potential. “We needed to show our people that EUTOPIA could help them achieve their goals, whether in research or education,” Vanderkerken reflects. Through sustained and targeted communication, VUB succeeded in getting all faculties involved, leading to a strong culture of engagement. Recent mapping exercises now show that every faculty is participating at different levels, with students actively involved in the Connected Communities initiative.
Looking to the future, Vanderkerken envisions EUTOPIA becoming deeply embedded within the day-to-day operations of each university, extending even into administrative structures. She sees seamless staff exchanges, shared online courses, and easily accessible joint PhD programs as critical areas for growth. “Joint PhDs should be straightforward, with contracts that reduce the administrative load on supervisors,” she notes. The sharing of specialized doctoral courses across institutions is another goal that she believes will enhance the academic offerings of all member universities.
For Vanderkerken, EUTOPIA’s success lies in its ability to fully integrate these collaborative opportunities into the fabric of each institution. As the alliance continues to mature, it will increasingly be a catalyst for academic excellence, innovative learning environments, and deeper connections between European universities.