Looking Back: 2nd BAUHAUS4EU Forum in Katowice [report]

The Forum began with the arrival of participants in Katowice and an informal evening meeting, which provided an opportunity to welcome guests, renew existing relationships and strengthen the sense of community within the Alliance. The meeting was held in a friendly atmosphere and marked the beginning of several days of joint work, discussions and integration.

Throughout the Forum, participants had many opportunities to exchange perspectives, share experiences and build new connections. The programme combined strategic meetings, expert discussions, work package sessions, cultural activities and events dedicated to students and the wider academic community.

One of the important moments of the Forum was the opening of the BAUHAUS4EU Green Campus space at the University of Economics in Katowice. The newly arranged campus area was created as an open and welcoming place for students, doctoral candidates, staff, as well as national and international partners.

The space is intended to support integration, learning, cooperation, relaxation and activities related to climate education. During the inauguration, a mural inspired by the BAUHAUS4EU idea was also unveiled. The work refers to the values of the Alliance: sustainability, inclusiveness, resilience, aesthetics and beauty. One of its main motifs is a windmill, an element of the BAUHAUS4EU visual identity, symbolising change, energy, transformation and regional development.

The opening of the Green Campus highlighted the importance of creating academic spaces that foster dialogue, cooperation and sustainable development, while also reflecting the mission and values of the New European Bauhaus.

International Conference “Transforming Regions for a Sustainable and Beautiful Europe”

A key element of the Forum programme was the International Conference “Transforming Regions for a Sustainable and Beautiful Europe”. The event was open not only to members of the BAUHAUS4EU Alliance, but also to the wider academic and regional community.

The conference focused on regional transformation, sustainable development, innovation and the role of universities and European university alliances in shaping the future of Europe. The programme included expert presentations, a fireside chat and panel discussions with representatives of academia, business, public institutions, regional partners and students.

Participants discussed, among other topics, the transformation of Silesia, the role of university alliances in the European Higher Education Area, and the kind of university Europe needs today. The discussions emphasised the importance of interdisciplinary cooperation, international partnerships and the active involvement of students and regional stakeholders in responding to contemporary social, economic and environmental challenges.

The following days of the Forum were devoted to both strategic and operational activities within the BAUHAUS4EU Alliance. Participants took part in work package meetings, during which they discussed current tasks, planned future activities and developed joint initiatives in their respective areas of responsibility.

An important part of the programme was the presentation of the Alliance’s achievements to date and plans for the next stages of cooperation. The meetings provided an opportunity to review progress, identify priorities and strengthen coordination between partner universities.

The Forum also included high-level meetings of Alliance bodies, including the Presidents’ Council and the Advisory Council. Discussions focused on the future of BAUHAUS4EU, strategic directions of development and the further strengthening of cooperation between universities, cities and regional partners.

Communication, digital tools and joint initiatives

The Forum programme also included sessions devoted to communication, dissemination and digital solutions developed within the Alliance. Participants learned more about tools created within WP11 and about the Digital Platform implemented within WP2.

Meetings and discussions covered key areas of BAUHAUS4EU development, including joint study programmes, innovative teaching methods, regional cooperation, mobility, cultural transformation, quality assurance, communication and dissemination. These sessions supported the further development of shared tools, processes and initiatives that will help the Alliance grow as a European University.

An important part of the Forum was the Gala Dinner, held at Szyb Wilson in Katowice. During the ceremony, representatives of partner universities received commemorative BAUHAUS4EU statuettes inspired by the Alliance logo and the mural unveiled during the Forum. The statuettes, created by Silesian artist Radosław Jakubczyk, symbolised the shared vision, cooperation and future of the European university being built within BAUHAUS4EU.

The Forum also concluded with the Global Village event at the University of Economics in Katowice. This intercultural meeting allowed participants from different countries to present their cultures through traditional food, music, costumes and social and economic curiosities. The event became a symbolic celebration of diversity, cooperation and the international community created within BAUHAUS4EU.

Looking ahead

The 2nd BAUHAUS4EU Forum in Katowice confirmed the importance of international cooperation, dialogue between universities, cities and socio-economic partners, and joint action for more resilient, sustainable, inclusive and beautiful regions in Europe.

The Katowice edition of the Forum strengthened relationships within the Alliance, created space for strategic reflection and inspired further joint activities. It also demonstrated the potential of BAUHAUS4EU as a European University community committed to shaping the future of higher education and supporting positive transformation in European regions.