On 22–26 September 2025, the E³UDRES² Autumn Summit took place at the Polytechnic University of Setúbal (Portugal), bringing together partners of the alliance to discuss key issues in the development of higher education, innovation, and international cooperation.

Sumy State University, an associated partner of the E³UDRES² alliance, was represented at the event by Dr. Alla Krasulia, Head of the International Relations Office and Associate Professor at the Department of Germanic Philology, and Dr. Tetyana Mayboroda, Deputy Head of the IRO and Associate Professor at the Department of Management.

The summit programme included a series of strategic meetings and discussions.

📌 On 22 September, participants took part in the Leadership Forum, where leaders of the E³UDRES² partner universities exchanged views on the alliance’s future development and ways to strengthen cooperation among institutions.

📌 On 23 September, the Opening Session was held with the participation of Ângela Lemos, President of the Polytechnic University of Setúbal; Hannes Raffaseder, President of E³UDRES²; and Michal Karpisek, Secretary General of the alliance. The keynote address was delivered by Manuel Heitor, former Portuguese Minister of Science, Technology, and Higher Education. On the same day, Alla Krasulia and Tetyana Mayboroda contributed to parallel sessions and workshops dedicated to open science and education, as well as building resilience within academic communities.

“For SumDU, the true value of being an associated partner of the E³UDRES² alliance lies in the opportunity to integrate into the European academic space through shared practices and joint solutions. This partnership provides access to a network of universities that implement innovative educational models, work towards sustainable development, and closely engage with their local communities.

It is important for us not only to gain new experience and build partnerships but also to communicate the true story of Ukraine – including developments in education and research – to the European community. We are grateful that the voices of SumDU and Ukrainian universities are heard and acknowledged at this level. This helps deepen understanding of our realities and strengthens mutual trust and support.”
– commented Dr. Alla Krasulia.

The participation of SumDU representatives in the Autumn Summit once again confirmed the university’s active integration into the European Higher Education Area. Partnership with E³UDRES² opens new opportunities for collaboration, joint approaches, and the implementation of innovative educational models. Such initiatives contribute not only to the development of the university community but also to enhancing SumDU’s role in promoting sustainable regional development.