Prof. Dr. Stefanie Reese Assumes the Presidency of ATHENA
The University of Siegen currently holds the rotating presidency of ATHENA European University. On October 9, 2026, Siegen’s Rector, Prof. Dr. Stefanie Reese, assumed the office for one year. The ceremonial handover took place at the historic Hôtel Groslot in Orléans and was presided over by the mayor of Orléans.
“By assuming the ATHENA presidency, we aim to further strengthen European cooperation in research, teaching, and innovation. Our goal is to develop the university alliance from a successful collaboration into a permanently integrated European university. To this end, we intend to facilitate the mobility of students and researchers, expand joint degree programs, and integrate our research activities even more closely. ATHENA demonstrates how universities can pool their strengths across national borders, tap into regional potential, and sustainably strengthen their regions as engines of innovation and development. “Especially in challenging times, this collaboration is an important sign of an open, diverse, and strong Europe,” says Prof. Dr. Stefanie Reese, Rector of the University of Siegen.
Under the presidency of the University of Siegen, the focus will be on the concrete implementation of joint projects. A key project is the introduction of the European Degree Label as part of the EU’s ATHENA–AHEAD program. As part of this, seven joint degree programs offered by the partner universities at the bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral levels will be harmonized and certified. The programs cover all four thematic clusters that ATHENA has defined as focal points for the joint work: Sustainable Production, Digitalization for All, Creative Industries, and Health and Well-being.
Research collaboration is also set to be further expanded under the presidency of the University of Siegen. Through ATHENA’s Shared Resources Directory, common research areas among the partner institutions are identified, maintained, and further developed. The platform consolidates information on academic expertise, infrastructure, and opportunities for collaboration. Members of all ATHENA partner universities have access to it.
Another highlight will be the ATHENA Research and Education Symposium. The University of Siegen will host the event on March 16 and 17, 2027. Representatives from university administrations, research, international education, international offices, departments responsible for recognition and legal matters, and doctoral schools at all nine partner institutions are expected to attend.
The symposium aims to help deepen existing collaborations, develop new joint projects, and strengthen exchanges between the various departments of the partner universities. All interested members of the University of Siegen are cordially invited. Further information about the event will be published in due course.
Additional Information
ATHENA European University is a European university alliance dedicated to providing high-quality education and innovative research, as well as strengthening European cohesion. ATHENA (Advanced Technology through Higher Education and Novel Approaches) brings together ten European universities, including Ukraine’s leading technical university, the Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute. In addition to strategic collaboration, the alliance jointly offers an attractive, flexible, and practice-oriented program for students, researchers, faculty, and staff in both academic and administrative roles. The University of Siegen is one of ATHENA’s founding members. The university alliance has been in existence since 2020. In June 2024, the European Commission awarded ATHENA the “Seal of Excellence,” recognizing the high quality of our educational, research, and impact initiatives at the European level.
