TWO YEARS OF INVEST AT UCO: CELEBRATING PROGRESS AND SHAPING THE FUTURE OF THE ALLIANCE
Córdoba, Spain – 16 December 2025
The University of Córdoba (UCO) marked the two-year milestone of its integration into the INVEST European University Alliance with an institutional event held on 16 December 2025 at the UCO Rectorate. The event, titled “INVEST is UCO: Two Years of an International Alliance”, drew around 100 members of the university community, highlighting strong engagement with the programme and its increasing relevance across campus.
The event provided a comprehensive overview of the work carried out during the first two years of INVEST and presented the main strategic initiatives being prepared for the coming years, both at local level and across the consortium. It also served as a key moment to highlight how the alliance is becoming increasingly embedded within the University’s teaching, research and internationalisation strategies.
A Broad Representation of the University Community
The event featured contributions from a diverse group of institutional leaders, academics, researchers, innovation stakeholders and students, reflecting the inclusive and transversal nature of the INVEST initiative. Speakers included:
- Eulalio Fernández Sánchez, Chief Administrative Officer (General Manager), University of Córdoba
- Luna Santos Roldán, Vice-Chancellor of Internationalisation, University of Córdoba
- Javier Ávila López, Director General of the INVEST Alliance at UCO
- Rocío Hernández Clemente, Ramón y Cajal Researcher, UCO
- Eva Pozo Cruz, Director of the Córdoba Technology Park, Rabanales 21
- Sandra Sánchez Cañizares, Professor and Researcher in Business Administration and Management
- Tom Vanwalleghem, Professor and Deputy Director for International Relations, ETSIAM
- Juan José Giner Casares, Vice-Dean for Internationalisation, Faculty of Sciences
- David Ruz Velasco, INVEST Project Manager at UCO
- Sergio Regadera Tenor and representatives of the Erasmus Student Network (ESN)
Key Areas of Work Presented
Discussions highlighted the main areas of INVEST activity at UCO, including collaborative research, the development of Living Labs linked to regional sustainability challenges, and the design of new European joint Bachelor programmes coordinated by the University of Córdoba. Particular attention was given to the wide range of opportunities already available to the university community, such as Staff Weeks, Summer and Winter Schools, Fellow Programmes, Blended Intensive Programmes (BIPs) and student engagement initiatives.
Looking Ahead
The event concluded by underlining INVEST’s strategic importance for the University of Córdoba’s future. By integrating education, research, innovation and international cooperation, the alliance is positioning UCO as an active contributor to the transformation of European higher education.
The presence of ESN representatives further reinforced the student-centred approach of INVEST and its commitment to inclusive mobility and engagement.
As INVEST moves into its next phase, UCO, together with all INVEST partner universities, will continue to play a key role in developing joint programmes, strengthening Living Labs and expanding opportunities for the academic community across the alliance.