As the Alliance strengthens its institutional foundations, the Presidency of the European Reform University Alliance passes for the next two years from John McCourt to Eduard Mühle on 1 November 2026.
he European Reform University Alliance (ERUA) is entering a new chapter in its institutional development. As part of its leadership rotation, Professor Eduard Mühle, President of the European University Viadrina Frankfurt (Oder), will take over as President of the Alliance on 1 November 2026, succeeding Professor John McCourt, Rector of the University of Macerata. This transition comes at a particularly significant moment for the Alliance. During Professor McCourt’s year as Chair of the Board of Rectors, ERUA reached an important milestone with its establishment as a legal entity, marking a decisive step towards stronger institutional cooperation, long-term sustainability and a shared European future. This also implies a change from annual rotation of the Board’s Chair to a two-year term as President of the Alliance.
Building on achievements, looking towards the future
Looking ahead to his term as President, Professor Eduard Mühle outlined his vision for the Alliance and the priorities that will guide its next steps:
“ERUA forms a unique and inspiring Alliance united by a shared commitment to reform. Its goal is to promote transnational and interdisciplinary collaboration, multiply mobility opportunities, experiment with innovative teaching and broaden its member universities’ societal engagement. It will be a great honor but also a huge responsibility to lead this consortium as President contributing to strengthen its reformist spirit and sense of belonging to a transnational educational community deeply committed to European values.
Building on its substantial achievements, transformative ambitions, and shared purpose ERUA is heading into a new phase of development. As President I will do my best to guide this development, promote ERUA’s long-term ambitions, and help consolidate the Alliance in terms of organization and impact. The Alliance is going to scale its most promising initiatives, improve its governance, develop its inter-university digital campus. It will be a thrilling challenge to be part of this journey as President and help to ensure ERUA’s continuity beyond the current funding period.”
Reflecting on his year as Chair, outgoing Chair Professor John McCourt highlighted the Alliance’s achievements and welcomed his successor:
“It has been a privilege to chair ERUA during a year in which we have given firmer foundations to our shared ambitions. Establishing ERUA as a legal entity is an important collective achievement. It gives us a stronger basis for working together beyond individual projects and funding cycles, and for making our cooperation a lasting part of university life.
ERUA’s strength lies in bringing together universities rooted in very different communities, united by a commitment to the public role of higher education. Together, we can widen opportunities for our students and staff, defend academic freedom and critical inquiry, and ensure that the humanities and social sciences help shape Europe’s response to its most pressing challenges. Our regions have much to contribute to that work, and their voices deserve to be heard.
I warmly thank my fellow rectors and the colleagues across the Alliance whose work has made this progress possible. I am delighted to pass the chair to Eduard Mühle and look forward to supporting him as we turn these stronger foundations into further opportunities for our university communities. The Sofia Summit will be an important occasion to carry that work forward together.”
Looking ahead to the ERUA Summit in Sofia
The leadership transition will also be marked during the ERUA Summit 2026, taking place in Sofia, Bulgaria, from 18 to 20 November, hosted by New Bulgarian University.
Under the theme “Consolidating Achievements, Shaping Continuity”, the Summit will provide a meaningful setting for the official handover between the outgoing and incoming Chairs, and inaugurating the new Presidency bringing together the ERUA community to reflect on its achievements and shape the next steps in its development. As ERUA moves forward with its strengthened institutional identity and renewed leadership, the Alliance remains committed to its founding mission: connecting reforming universities across Europe’s regions, fostering innovation and inclusion, and reimagining the future of European higher education.
ERUA warmly thanks Professor John McCourt for his leadership and commitment over the past year and welcomes Professor Eduard Mühle as the new President of ERUA.
