UniversidaddeCádiz

The Forum of Social Councils of Public Universities in Andalusia recognises the University of Cádiz for coordinating since 2019 a European alliance that connects higher education, sustainability, innovation and social engagement

The University of Cádiz has been recognised at the 13th Social Engagement Awards in the Public Universities of Andalusia, organised by the Forum of Social Councils, for the project Uniting Universities, Transforming Societies: the SEA-EU Alliance, a beacon of internationalisation for global citizenship. This strategic initiative positions the University of Cádiz as a leading institution in European university cooperation with tangible social impact.

The award acknowledges the leadership of the University of Cádiz as coordinating institution of the SEA-EU Alliance (European University of the Seas) since 2019, one of the first alliances selected under the European Commission’s pilot European Universities initiative. The jury particularly valued its contribution to building a more integrated and inclusive European Higher Education Area, as well as its ability to translate university internationalisation into benefits for society.

SEA-EU brings together nine prestigious coastal universities from Spain, France, Germany, Poland, Croatia, Norway, Italy, Portugal and Malta, forming a European super-campus that includes more than 150,000 students and 18,000 staff members. This diversity enables a transnational cooperation model based on co-governance, transparency and joint work among academic staff, technical staff, students and social and economic stakeholders.

The Vice-Rector for Academic Staff of the University of Cádiz, José Antonio Perales Vargas-Machuca, who received the award on behalf of the Rector and the entire SEA-EU Alliance, underlined that “this recognition highlights a key idea: university internationalisation is not an end in itself, but a tool to improve education, research and innovation, and to better serve society.” He stressed that the University of Cádiz has demonstrated that “from Andalusia it is possible to lead Europe in higher education through cooperative, inclusive projects with territorial impact.”

The Forum particularly valued SEA-EU’s social commitment, reflected in initiatives such as joint degrees co-created with the productive sector, social missions focused on complex challenges, observatories analysing local and European issues, volunteering programmes, international placements for young researchers and oceanographic campaigns integrating education, research and collaboration with cities and ports.

Although the alliance was initially linked to the marine and maritime domain, in line with Sustainable Development Goal 14, its scope has expanded to key areas such as ecological transition, digitalisation, social innovation and inclusion, aligning with the European Green Deal, the Digital Agenda and the European Strategy for Universities. This reinforces the role of public universities as active agents in addressing major global challenges.

SEA-EU also stands out for its permanent engagement model with society, structured through Councils of Cities, Students, Ports, Stakeholders and an Advisory Board, ensuring a two-way relationship between the university and its environment. This approach has fostered a growing sense of belonging within the university community and increasing participation in mobility programmes, international projects and outreach activities.

Since its creation, SEA-EU has achieved significant milestones, including the launch of pioneering joint degrees such as the Bachelor’s Degree in Sustainable Blue Economy and master’s programmes in Port Management and Logistics and Transition towards Sustainability, as well as the attraction of strategic European projects that strengthen its innovation and knowledge transfer capacity.

The recent establishment of the SEA-EU Association and the planning of new phases of European funding confirm the structural and long-term nature of the project, with a comprehensive review of the model scheduled for 2027.

With this award, the University of Cádiz reinforces its commitment to promoting internationalisation as a lever for social cohesion, innovation and progress, consolidating its role as a strategic actor at European and global levels.