TORSTEN MEIER
Looking back at your time as COLOURS president, what achievements are you most proud of?
I’m particularly proud of how we’ve transformed COLOURS from a promising vision into a dynamic and collaborative European University Alliance. As a new alliance we really didn’t have much time to prepare. Still, together we have successfully managed a quick and successful start, building strong institutional bridges, launching several innovative joint activities and establishing a true sense of community across all member universities. Seeing so many colleagues and students actively engaged in the Alliance has been deeply rewarding.
What were the biggest challenges you faced, and how did you overcome them?
As with any international collaboration that involves partners from different countries, navigating different institutional cultures, legal frameworks, expectations and local environments was no small task. The key to success was open communication, empathy, mutual respect and a shared belief in our common goals. Building trust took time and relied on getting to know each other, but it laid the foundation for everything that followed.
How has COLOURS evolved under your leadership?
After the funding started, COLOURS has become more cohesive, strategic and participatory. We’ve clarified our goals, launched several activities and created structures that will support the further progress of our joint transformation process. More importantly, we’ve cultivated a spirit of co-creation where students and staff members are actively involved in shaping the Alliance. I believe this is essential to ensure COLOURS’ long-term success.
What advice would you give to your successor, Heike Trautmann?
Let me start by saying that I’m sure that with her broad experience and her strong interest and commitment to further developing international collaborations Heike doesn’t need advice from me. But since I’m being asked, my thoughts on this are: Trust in the team and keep the dialogue open and inclusive across institutions, roles and perspectives and continue to give the students a strong voice. Be bold in setting the visions but remain flexible in how to achieve them. Above all, keep the human connection at the heart of it all and don’t lose sight of the people behind the work.
What will you miss most about being COLOURS president?
I’ll surely miss the close contact with the excellent teams at all the partner universities who have brought so much energy, creativity and collaborative spirit to COLOURS. It’s been incredibly rewarding to see what we can achieve when we work together.
What are your plans for the future, and will you remain involved with COLOURS in some way?
Having been granted two sabbaticals I’ll be focusing much more on research in the next year. But I’ll surely stay connected and supportive of COLOURS also in my role as a Professor of Theoretical Physics. For example, I plan to attend COLOURS events and to actively engage in realising joint activities in teaching and research. Without any doubt, COLOURS will always be something very special for me and I’m excited to see where it goes next.
HEIKE TRAUTMANN
What are your main priorities for COLOURS in the coming year?
First of all I would like to emphasize that I truly appreciate the warm welcome from the COLOURS community and the tremendous support during my onboarding into this new and challenging role.
As President of COLOURS, one of my main goals is to help the alliance grow in a sustainable and meaningful way. This means aligning with European research and innovation priorities while building strong structures that support long-term impact. We’ll keep pushing to integrate challenge-based, impact-driven learning and research into everyday academic life—like bringing COLOURS Open Education internships directly into student curricula. Strengthening collaboration and trust across all partner universities is just as important, so we can build a strong, resilient community. We’ll also focus on expanding mobility—especially short-term and blended formats—to make international experiences more accessible to everyone. And throughout all of this, students will be an important asset by becoming active co-creators of the future of COLOURS.
How do you see the alliance growing and evolving under your leadership?
As COLOURS moves beyond the energy of its kick-off phase, our focus shifts to steady, meaningful collaboration, also within our regional innovation ecosystems. We will prioritize quality over quantity—stronger partnerships, better coordination, and real integration of COLOURS activities into everyday academic life. We aim to foster shared leadership and co-ownership across all institutions, while deepening the sense of community within COLOURS. This means empowering more students, staff, and faculty to feel connected to and responsible for the alliance and its mission. Along the way, we’ll celebrate small but meaningful wins—real changes that make a difference for those involved.
What strengths do you bring to this role, and how will they shape your approach?
One of the key strengths I bring to this role is a firm belief that empowering others is more effective than leading from the top. My leadership style is collaborative and inclusive, centered on listening, enabling, and creating space for others to contribute meaningfully. I see leadership as a shared effort that grows stronger through trust and participation. Professionally, I bring extensive experience and deep commitment to internationalization. I served as Vice Dean for Internationalization at the University of Münster and was also director of the European Research Center for Information Systems where I am still leading the AI and Data Science competence center. My academic path includes a guest professorship in the Netherlands and, since joining Paderborn University, I have been an active member of the internationalization project group. Through my leadership roles in international contexts, I’ve learned that building networks is not enough—it’s just as important to live and sustain them over time. This understanding will guide my approach in the COLOURS presidency: fostering lasting connections, empowering community members, and ensuring that international collaboration is not only strategic, but also meaningful and deeply rooted in daily academic life.
What message do you have for the COLOURS community as you begin your presidency?
COLOURS is a shared space that belongs to all of us—a growing, evolving community shaped by everyone’s contributions. Even when things don’t go as planned, your involvement matters. Collaboration may not always be perfect, but it’s powerful when we keep showing up and engaging with one another. Let’s stay ambitious in our goals and humble in how we grow together. Most importantly, students won’t just take part—they’ll play a key role in shaping the future of COLOURS.
If you could achieve one major goal during your term, what would it be?
The goal is to ensure that COLOURS continues well beyond its initial funding phase—evolving into a lasting, visible force for collaboration, innovation, and impact. To achieve this, we’re focused on strengthening our shared identity and building a genuine sense of belonging across the alliance. By creating meaningful experiences that feel relevant in the daily lives of students, staff, and partners, we not only deepen engagement—we also enhance the international reputation of our universities as open, connected, and forward-thinking institutions.
