On 24 March, the Royal Conservatoire The Hague and the IN.TUNE Alliance hosted the TCA Fourth Franco-Dutch Strategic Dialogue on European Universities Alliances 2026.
This event brought together representatives from 23 European Universities Alliances, as well as 17 Dutch and 20 French higher education institutions. Representatives from the European Commission, national ministries, and sector organisations also attended. Together, we created a space for discussions focused on future funding, policy developments, the Joint European Degree, and European collaboration in higher education alliances.
European Universities Alliances are at a key moment. Since the launch of the European Universities Initiative in 2019, alliances such as IN.TUNE have depended on European funding to expand collaboration. Upcoming European decisions will be important for their long-term sustainability.
By hosting the event, the INT.UNE Alliance had the opportunity to add some key subjects to the agenda. One of the sessions focused on the European Union’s emerging “Union of Skills” and the role of STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics). As the EU prepares for a new Erasmus+ funding cycle, there is a growing emphasis on STEM disciplines.
IN.TUNE advocates for ensuring that the arts and humanities remain an integral part of this vision. The inclusion of the ‘A’ is not an addition, but a necessity. The arts and humanities contribute directly to innovation, critical thinking, and lifelong learning, skills that are essential for Europe’s future.
For musicians and artists, these competences are part of daily practice and increasingly relevant in addressing societal challenges. Director of the Royal Conservatoire Lies Colman emphasised the importance of collaboration, communication, and shared ambition in education and artistic practice.
Discussions also explored how the arts can be integrated across disciplines, contributing to a more interdisciplinary and human-centred approach to education.
The Dialogue provided an opportunity to present the work of IN.TUNE. As the only European Universities Alliance focused on music and the arts, it plays a specific role in connecting artistic practice with innovation in education.
Music was part of the programme throughout the event. Students from the Royal Conservatoire performed, reinforcing the role of the arts within the discussions.
A demonstration of MVTP technology showed a live performance between The Hague and Bucharest, illustrating new possibilities for digital collaboration in teaching and learning. This work is part of WP5 (Capacity building and innovation in learning and teaching).
Want to know more? Click here for more information on the event and IN.TUNE.