At the Opening Conference of the new Arqus Joint Master's Programme, which was held simultaneously at all four partner universities Granada, Graz, Leipzig and Vilnius in a hybrid format, Vice-Rector Prof. Mireille van Poppel welcomed the new students to the University of Graz.

"To understand Europe better, we have to look beyond the borders. The new study prgoramme makes exactly that possible. the Arqus Alliance facilitates access to the other universities. We are pleased to be part of this community as a university and to contribute our expertise."

The global challenges which European societies are confronted with, have multiplied and become more complex over the last years. How shall actors in Europe respond to multiple and interconnected crises, including climate change, the rise of populism, global health, economic ruptures, and war?

In this context, the new Arqus Joint Master’s Programme European Studies will provide students with critical perspectives, specialized knowledge and advanced expertise to analyze, comprehend and mediate insights about the shifting position of European actors and societies in a globally connected world. Joining forces within the Alliance, the universities designed a programme that combines social, cultural, political, economic, legal, and historical approaches to the study of contemporary Europe.

From October 9 to 13, a multi-sited hybrid conference not only celebrates the launch of this study programme, but offers discussions on the type of challenges that emerge for research and teaching in European Studies. The conference started with a keynote on Monday, October 9, given by Prof. Madina Tlostanova (Linköping University) on „Reimagining Europe(s) in the Face of Complex Political, Enviro-climatic, and Onto-epistemic Challenges“.