Bucharest Hosts SPHERE 2025 Annual Conference: Shaping the Future of Higher Education Reform
Bucharest, Romania – 2–3 October 2025 — The SPHERE 2025 Annual Conference brought together higher education leaders, policy makers, National Erasmus+ Offices (NEOs), Higher Education Reform Experts (HEREs), EU representatives, and international partners to reflect on achievements in higher education reform and define priorities for the coming years.
Organized by the SPHERE Team with the support of the European Commission, the event took place at the National University of Science and Technology POLITEHNICA Bucharest, offering a dynamic platform for peer learning, networking, and policy dialogue on the evolving role of higher education in addressing global challenges.
Key Highlights
The conference focused on critical themes for the future of higher education, including:
- Artificial Intelligence in higher education – exploring its role in teaching, learning, and administration.
- Micro-credentials – their transformative potential for lifelong learning, recognition, and employability.
- Universities’ Third Mission – how higher education institutions contribute to social and economic development in partner countries.
- EU policy updates – highlighting the Competitiveness Compass, the Union of Skills initiative, STEM education strategies, and the forthcoming Multiannual Financial Framework (2028–2034).
Participants also reflected on the achievements of SPHERE in 2025, shared lessons from Technical Assistance Missions and Erasmus+ projects, and contributed to the design of SPHERE’s future directions through interactive sessions.
Highlights
- Presentation of the SPHERE Third Mission Report examining universities’ societal engagement and strategies for strengthening impact.
- Case studies from HEREs and NEOs showcasing how participation in SPHERE activities has driven national and institutional reforms.
- Peer-to-peer professional development workshops for HEREs and NEOs, fostering exchange of practical strategies and impact assessment tools.
- Strategic discussions on Europe’s competitiveness, skills needs, and the role of higher education in supporting the green and digital transitions.
The conference concluded with a forward-looking session where participants co-created strategic directions for SPHERE’s next phase starting in 2026. These discussions underlined the importance of ensuring that higher education remains a driver of innovation, inclusion, and resilience in Europe and beyond. The event closed with a cultural programme, including a visit to the Romanian Parliament, symbolizing the strong connection between education, policy, and society.
Kyrgyzstan’s Participation
Representing the Kyrgyz Republic, the conference welcomed:
- Higher Education Reform Expert, Rector of KSTU
- Higher Education Reform Expert, Rector of Adam University
- National Erasmus+ Coordinator in Kyrgyzstan
Key Outcomes and Achievements
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Thematic Reflections:
Participants reviewed and reflected on the activities and achievements of SPHERE 2025, focusing on key themes including Artificial Intelligence (AI), micro-credentials, sustainability, and STEM education. Best practices and lessons learned were shared to inform future initiatives. -
Peer Learning and Networking:
The conference successfully fostered peer learning and networking among National Erasmus+ Offices (NEOs), Higher Education Reform Experts (HEREs), and other stakeholders, facilitating exchanges of experience and collaboration opportunities across countries. -
Professional Development:
Strategies and good practices for the professional development of NEOs and HEREs were discussed, enabling participants to enhance their capacities in supporting higher education reforms and Erasmus+ program implementation. -
EU Policy Updates:
Participants were informed about and engaged in discussions on relevant EU policy developments, including:
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The Competitiveness Compass
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The Union of Skills initiative
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The STEM Education Strategy
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The proposal for the 2028–2034 Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF)
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Overall Impact:
The conference strengthened knowledge sharing, collaboration, and strategic alignment in the areas of innovation, sustainability, and skills development, contributing to the continuous enhancement of higher education systems in participating countries.
About SPHERE
The SPHERE Programme (Support to Higher Education Reform Experts) is an initiative of the European Commission and its European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA), implemented by Obreal (Coordinator) and the European University Association (EUA). It supports the Higher Education Reform Experts (HERE) network and National Erasmus+ Offices (NEOs) across EU Neighborhood and Central Asian countries. Through conferences, study visits, and training, SPHERE strengthens capacity for higher education reform, alignment with EU priorities, and international cooperation in the higher education sector.
Agenda: SPHERE Programme Annual Conference_2-3 October 2025 (1)
