European university alliance ACE²-EU
The mission of the ACE²-EU European University Alliance is to equip students, academic staff, researchers and external partners with the knowledge, skills and competences needed to jointly address the challenges of today and tomorrow. The Alliance is built on practice-oriented and collaborative education, active engagement and the development of entrepreneurial skills.
The key areas of ACE²-EU activity include developing shared, student-centred and challenge-based learning approaches, including the creation of new interdisciplinary study programmes; advancing joint research and innovation activities; fostering entrepreneurship; and strengthening the research community. The Alliance also promotes cooperation with society and a wide range of stakeholders, fosters intercultural understanding, and develops a shared digital environment to support the achievement of its goals.
ACE²-EU brings together nine higher education institutions from nine European countries: the Latvian Academy of Culture (Latvia), Carinthia University of Applied Sciences (Austria), Lietuvos inžinerijos kolegija (Lithuania), Medical University of Gdańsk (Poland), Polytechnic University of Santarém (Portugal), Constantin Brâncuși University of Târgu Jiu (Romania), Universidad Francisco de Vitoria (Spain), Technische Hochschule Ingolstadt (Germany), and Goce Delčev University (North Macedonia).
The ACE²-EU project runs from November 1, 2024, to October 31, 2028.
Follow ACE²-EU on social media for the latest news and updates: ACE²-EU webpage / LinkedIn / Instagram / Facebook / YouTube
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Dāvis Sīmanis, Rector of the Latvian Academy of Culture |
Alliance Initiatives
SPACE Centre (Societal Partnerships And Cultural Engagement Centre)
International Microlearning Opportunities for Students
ACE_RISE International Volunteering Programme
Opportunities for Academic Staff, Researchers and Administrative Staff
About alliance
News
International Students Explore Gastronomic Heritage and Development Opportunities for Vidzeme Market
13.10.2026
From 5 to 9 October, the Latvian Academy of Culture (LAC) hosted the international ACE²-EU European University Alliance microlearning programme “Taste of Culture: Cultural Heritage in Transition”, bringing together 30 students from nine partner universities to explore creative approaches to preserving and revitalising gastronomic cultural heritage. The programme centred on the development of Vidzeme Market in Riga, challenging students to explore ways of strengthening its identity, attracting new audiences and transforming the market into a vibrant urban space and community meeting place.
LAC Representatives Seek Solutions for a More Inclusive and Respectful Society at International ACE²-EU Workshops
08.10.2026
From 28 to 30 September, Santarém Polytechnic University hosted the Knowledge Creation Team Workshops of the ACE²-EU European University Alliance, focusing on Social Well-Being and Respect & Dignity.
Students from Nine Countries Explore Gastronomic Cultural Heritage and Its Future in an International Programme
06.10.2026.
From 5 to 9 October, the Latvian Academy of Culture (LAC) in Riga is hosting the ACE²-EU European University Alliance microlearning programme “Taste of Culture: Cultural Heritage in Transition”, bringing together students and academic staff from ACE²-EU partner universities to explore food-related cultural heritage and its role in a changing urban environment. The programme has been developed and is led by LAC lecturer and researcher Lolita Ozoliņa, whose research interests include cultural heritage, place identity and branding, and Ieva Vītola, leading researcher at the LAC Institute of Arts and Cultural Studies and a researcher of traditional culture and intangible cultural heritage. The programme has brought 33 students from nine ACE²-EU partner universities to Riga, representing Austria, Germany, Spain, Portugal, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, North Macedonia and Latvia.
LKA Students Take Part in SPACE Centre Volunteer Programme in Austria
01.10.2026.
From 15 to 23 September, Carinthia University of Applied Sciences in Austria hosted the international ACE RISE volunteer programme organised within the ACE²-EU European University Alliance. Two students from the Latvian Academy of Culture (LKA) Master’s programme in Cultural and Arts Management, Keita Nikola Rasa and Santa Ābele, took part in the programme. During their stay, the students contributed to the organisation of the Carinthia 200 road cycling event, supporting logistics, communication and the overall delivery of the event. Their participation provided valuable hands-on experience in organising a large-scale event while also strengthening their teamwork and intercultural communication skills in an international environment.
From Austria to Portugal and North Macedonia: Kaspars Zborovskis’ ACE²-EU Mobility Experience
01.10.2026
Kaspars Zborovskis, a student at the Latvian Culture College of the Latvian Academy of Culture, has already taken advantage of several mobility opportunities offered by ACE²-EU. He has visited Carinthia University of Applied Sciences in Austria and the Polytechnic University of Santarém in Portugal, and will soon travel to Goce Delčev University in North Macedonia.
Latvian Academy of Culture Delegation Participates in ACE²-EU Working Meetings in Santarém
01.10.2026.
Representatives of the nine universities of the ACE²-EU European University Alliance gathered in Santarém, Portugal, this week to advance the development of new joint international Master’s programmes and shared quality assurance standards across the Alliance. From 29 September to 1 October, a delegation from the Latvian Academy of Culture (LAC) actively contributed to strategic discussions and practical working sessions whose outcomes will shape the further development of joint education and pedagogical cooperation within ACE²-EU.
All news
LAC TEAM
Dana Daugule
Elizabete Palasiosa
Lolita Ozoliņa
partnering universities
Carinthia University of Applied Sciences (CUAS), Austria offers more than 50 Bachelor’s and Master’s degree programmes in health and social sciences, business and management, engineering and technology. The university is characterised by its practice-oriented approach to education, small student groups and close cooperation with companies and organisations. CUAS has approximately 3,300 students from more than 60 countries.
Read more: https://www.ace2eu.eu/austria-cuas/
Lietuvos Inžinerijos Kolegija (LIK), Lithuania is a specialised higher education institution offering Professional Bachelor’s and short-cycle study programmes across various fields of engineering, as well as conducting applied research. It is the largest higher education institution of its kind in Lithuania and the only one in the country offering Professional Bachelor’s-level education in aeronautical engineering. LIK is characterised by practice-oriented studies, close cooperation with industry and a strong specialisation in engineering.
Read more: https://www.ace2eu.eu/lithuania-lik/
Medical University of Gdańsk (MUG/GUMed), Poland is one of Poland’s leading medical universities, with nearly 7,000 students. It offers programmes in medicine, pharmacy, health sciences and biotechnology, with a strong emphasis on integrating education, research and clinical practice. Students benefit from modern clinical and teaching facilities, including a medical simulation centre, while degree programmes taught in English are also available to international students.
Read more: https://www.ace2eu.eu/poland-mug/
Santarém Polytechnic University (IPSantarém), Portugal is a public higher education institution comprising five schools located in Santarém and Rio Maior. It offers programmes in agriculture, sport, education, business and technology, and health sciences. The university combines practice-oriented education and applied research with close cooperation with regional businesses and communities, while actively promoting international collaboration and student mobility.
Read more: https://www.ace2eu.eu/portugal_ipsantarem/
Constantin Brâncuși University of Târgu Jiu (UCB), Romania is a public university offering studies across four faculties in the fields of engineering, economics, education, law and public administration, as well as medical and behavioural sciences. The university offers more than 20 Bachelor’s and 20 Master’s degree programmes, as well as doctoral studies, combining education with research, innovation and international cooperation.
Read more: https://www.ace2eu.eu/romania-ucb-2/
Universidad Francisco de Vitoria (UFV), Spain is a private university in Madrid offering Bachelor’s, Master’s and doctoral programmes across a wide range of fields, including communication, business, law, education and psychology, health and medical sciences, engineering and technology. The university is characterised by an interdisciplinary and student-centred approach to education, with a strong emphasis on professional development, innovation and connecting education with the needs of society and the labour market.
Read more: https://www.ace2eu.eu/spain-ufv/
Technische Hochschule Ingolstadt (THI), Germany is a university of applied sciences in Bavaria with more than 8,000 students. It offers programmes in engineering, computer science, business and management, as well as sustainability. The university is characterised by strong links between education, applied research and industry, with particular expertise in mobility and vehicle safety, artificial intelligence, renewable energy and sustainability.
Read more: https://www.ace2eu.eu/germany-thi/
Goce Delcev University (UGD), North Macedonia is a comprehensive university based in Štip, offering studies in the social, natural and technical sciences, medicine, humanities and the arts. The university comprises 12 faculties and three art academies and offers more than 70 study programmes. UGD is characterised by student-centred and practice-oriented education, strong links between studies and the world of work, active use of digital technologies in education, and international cooperation.
Read more: https://www.ace2eu.eu/north-macedonia/
mission
The mission of the Applied, Connected, Entrepreneurial and Engaged European University (ACE2-EU) is to equip our students, staff, researchers, and external stakeholders with the knowledge, skills, and competencies needed to collectively address future challenges. Addressing these challenges, including the twin digital and green transitions and socio-economic issues, will deliver sustainable societal
transformation, benefiting not only our regions and the EU, but society in general.
To fulfil our mission, we employ our distinctive ACE2-EU approach, collaborating with external stakeholders to create joint learning opportunities and activities that engage all mission areas of our universities. We embrace challenge-based and work-based methodologies in partnership with external stakeholders to develop flexible and innovative educational, research, innovation, and service to society learning opportunities. These are crafted by multidisciplinary European knowledge creation teams comprising students, staff, researchers, and stakeholders.
Our European inter-university campus is dedicated to a common vision and shared values, incorporating an inclusive student-centred joint governance and management structure, and a shared pool of resources that includes staff and operational units.
Key operational units and systems include our: APP Factory which develops joint student-centred, challenge-based learning opportunities, including short programmes and full degrees; ARIES Incubator focused on stimulating and creating joint research & innovation activities, nurturing entrepreneurship, and supporting the development of our research community; SPACE Centre which co-creates joint service to society activities and promotes cultural awareness; and our e-Campus digital platform. In living our mission, we will foster and promote the core European Union values and objectives, including multiculturalism and multilingualism, thereby strengthening European identity across our alliance.
Values
vision and ambition
The principal aim of our common vision, ambition, and associated long-term joint strategy in the context of the European Universities Initiative and the European Universities strategy is to establish a European higher education inter-university campus which has the potential to transform the capacity and quality of institutional cooperation between ACE2-EU member institutions and bring it to the next level, fostering deeper integration, enhancing collaboration, and increasing our overall impact and influence within the European higher education landscape. Our inter-university campus will become a legally recognised European University with European and global reach, reputation, and impact focussed on “Addressing Future Challenges and Delivering Sustainable Societal Transformation Today”.
PRACTICAL GUIDE FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them. Project 101177596. The project is co-financed by the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Latvia.
