In addition to representatives of partner universities, the event also brought together regional and local government officials, national agencies, and cultural institutions. This highlighted how European university alliances are built on strong interconnection and collaboration, linking higher education with the broader societal context.

One of the central themes of the conference was the transformation of higher education in response to current societal, technological, and economic challenges. The Rector of Silesian University in Opava emphasized that universities today should not only educate, but also actively develop potential and contribute to regional development through practical experience and the ability to operate in uncertain environments. According to him, the conference created space for open and productive dialogue on the future direction of the alliance and its activities. He added that “the key theme of this year’s conference was the transformation of education so that it better reflects the requirements of the 21st century and the demands placed on educators, students, employers, and society as a whole.”

Discussions throughout the conference showed that transformative education involves not only institutional change, but also the development of new values and approaches. As Dr. Elinor Vettraino of Aston University noted, “we’ve been talking about how young people want to be more courageous, and it is up to us as academics to foster that courage, not only in our students, but also within ourselves.” This emphasis on courage, critical thinking, and responsibility reflects a broader shift towards more engaged and socially responsive forms of education.

A major outcome of the conference was the formal signing of agreements establishing the first bachelor-level Joint Degree in Accounting and a Dual PhD program in Law within the STARS EU alliance. The collaboration involves Aleksandër Moisiu University (Albania), the Bragança Polytechnic University (Portugal), and the University of La Laguna (Spain).

Commenting on the agreement, the Rector of the University of La Laguna stated: “This agreement will allow students of both universities to obtain two diplomas and represents an important step forward not only in research, but also in the transfer of research results to society.” The signing of these agreements confirms the alliance’s commitment to innovation, mobility and the development of European higher education cooperation.

The conference also highlighted the importance of active student engagement and collaboration with regional partners, particularly through project-based learning and addressing real societal challenges. This approach reinforces universities' role as key actors in shaping resilient, sustainable regional ecosystems.

The STARS EU Annual Conference 2026 demonstrated the alliance’s ability to translate strategic goals into concrete actions, strengthen cooperation among partner institutions, and advance a shared European vision of higher education as a transformative force for a sustainable and inclusive future.