The First Annual Conference of the COLOURS Alliance was successfully held at Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, from 24 – 25 October 2024. This pivotal event, organised in collaboration with the COLOURS Coordination and Support Office at Paderborn University, gathered representatives from nine partner universities, students, local government officials, and key stakeholders to discuss advancements in regional innovation and inter-university cooperation.
The conference began with welcoming remarks by Professor Vlado Guberac, Rector of the University of Osijek; Professor Krunoslav Zmaić, Dean of the Faculty of Agrobiotechnical Sciences Osijek; Mrs. Jasenka Crnković, Deputy Mayor of Osijek; and Mrs. Miranda Glavaš Kul, Head of the Osijek-Baranja County Education Department. A particular highlight of the conference opening ceremony was the online joining of Mrs. Sunčana Glavak, Member of the European Parliament, who greeted the conference attendees by emphasising the need for building of strong university partnerships to tackle challenges in education, research and sustainable development across Europe.
The Conference was launched by Professor Torsten Meier, Vice-President of Paderborn University and President of the COLOURS European University Alliance. His opening address set a dynamic tone for the event and pointed out the Alliance’s commitment to collaborative regional development and educational innovation.
The Conference Day 1 was devoted to Smart Specialisation Strategies and Student Talent Development. Through interactive workshops and collaborative sessions, attendees explored strategies to foster regional growth in the COLOURS Alliance’s key focus areas: Food Production, Green Transition, Health & Well-being, and IT & Digitalisation. A vibrant panel discussion featured insights from COLOURS External Advisory Board, including Professor Richard Holliman, Professor Giga Zedania, Fabrizio Bitetto, and Professor Caroline Robertson-von Trotha, who shared perspectives on innovation and entrepreneurship with COLOURS students.
Denis Sušac, CEO of Mono Software Ltd. in Osijek, gave a keynote speech, in which he outlined the company’s contribution to the local economy growth and its longstanding partnership with the University of Osijek, offering practical insights into the role of academia-industry collaboration in regional prosperity.
Representatives from three prominent European University Alliances — YUFE, EU-CONEXUS, and EDUC — enriched the conference discussions by sharing best practices for fostering inter-alliance cooperation and advancing Europe-wide objectives in higher education development.
A special highlight was the premiere of the COLOURS Hymn, performed by talented students from the Academy of Arts and Culture in Osijek, under the direction of Professor Antoaneta Radočaj-Jerković. This musical interlude symbolised the Alliance unity and dedication to cultural exchange across Europe. The Conference Day 1 concluded with a formal Conference dinner, on the occasion of which the attendees enjoyed local cuisine, music and networking, celebrating the progress achieved so far by the COLOURS Alliance.
The second day of the Conference was dedicated to the Collaborative COLOURS Progress, by focusing on building stronger ties between the Alliance’s nine partner universities to advance joint projects and prepare for the next phase of the COLOURS initiative. Within productive meetings, participants discussed strategies for enhancing cooperation and aligning efforts to achieve shared goals in regional development and educational innovation.
A standout event on the Conference Day 2 was the Creator’s Corner, a series of interactive workshops designed to inspire students and participants to think creatively and collaboratively. These sessions encouraged new perspectives on smart specialisation, fostering innovative ideas for future Alliance activities and regional growth.
With the closure of this inaugural Conference, the COLOURS Alliance has underscored its commitment to creating a cohesive European University Alliance that addresses critical societal challenges. Through collaboration with local industries, government, and other academic alliances, COLOURS is well-positioned to drive sustainable growth, foster innovation, and contribute to Europe’s educational and economic objectives.
The First COLOURS Annual Conference marks a significant milestone in the Alliance’s journey towards creating impactful European partnerships in higher education and regional development.
