On 21 October 2026, Selina Cicek, a third-year Law and Global Security student at Mykolas Romeris University (MRU), participated in the international hybrid event “Making Alliances Inclusive for Every Student”, held in Bilbao, Spain. The event brought together students, university staff, and representatives of European University Alliances to discuss student inclusion, participation, and equal opportunities in European higher education.
Selina is actively involved in the European Reform University Alliance (ERUA), serving as an ERUA Student Ambassador, Chairperson of the MRU ERUA Local Board, and ERUA Student Board Representative. Through these roles, she supports student engagement and representation within the Alliance.
The event was organised by Mondragon University, a member of the EU4DUAL European University Alliance, the European Students’ Union (ESU), and partners of the Inclusivity for Students in Alliances (INST.ALL) project.
The discussions focused on the challenges students face when accessing opportunities offered by European University Alliances, identifying good practices, and exploring ways to strengthen student participation in decision-making processes. Participants also reflected on existing approaches to inclusion and areas where further improvements are needed.
Reflecting on her experience, Selina highlighted the importance of ensuring that students have meaningful opportunities to participate in shaping the future of European University Alliances:
“The event was a valuable opportunity to exchange experiences with students and representatives from other European University Alliances and discuss how we can make student participation more inclusive and meaningful. As an ERUA Student Ambassador and Student Board Representative, I believe it is important to ensure that every student has the opportunity to be heard and actively contribute to shaping the future of our alliance. I hope to bring the insights and ideas gained from this experience back to the ERUA community and use them to encourage greater student engagement.”
An important aspect of the event was its consultative nature. The perspectives and insights gathered during the discussions will contribute to shaping the European Students’ Union's positions on student inclusion and participation within European University Alliances.
The event formed part of the broader INST.ALL project, which aims to develop a European Inclusivity Framework to help ensure that students from diverse backgrounds can access and benefit from the opportunities created by European University Alliances. The project focuses on strengthening student representation, identifying barriers to participation, and developing practical recommendations for more inclusive higher education.
Selina's participation reflects MRU students' active involvement in European-level discussions on the future of higher education. Through ERUA, MRU students have opportunities not only to participate in international academic activities but also to engage in initiatives that promote student representation, inclusion, and cooperation across European universities.
Such experiences contribute to strengthening the student voice within ERUA and support the development of a more inclusive, accessible, and student-centred European higher education community.
