23 October 2025 — Online
The HEInnovate Expert Group gathered for its second meeting of 2025, marking an important milestone in the ongoing evolution of the HEInnovate initiative. The session, held online on 23 October, brought together leading experts from across Europe to exchange insights, review progress, and co-design the next steps in enhancing the platform’s impact on higher education institutions (HEIs).
Strengthening a decade of innovation
Opening the meeting, Luca Perego, Head of Unit at the European Commission’s DG EAC, highlighted the growing reach and potential of HEInnovate. He reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to fostering innovation and entrepreneurship in higher education and praised the expert group for its ongoing contributions. Jonathan Potter from the OECD echoed this appreciation, noting how HEInnovate has become a well-established European initiative driving institutional transformation across higher education systems.
Key developments and new features
The HEInnovate team presented major updates achieved since May 2025, including the addition of 860 new platform users, most of whom are professors and teachers from EU and non-EU countries such as Romania, Greece, Germany, Colombia, Turkey, and the UK.
The meeting featured presentations from three working groups addressing user experience, stakeholder engagement, and European University Alliances.
- Working Group 1 focused on improving the HEInnovate User Journey
- Working Group 2 presented the Stakeholder Engagement Matrix
- Working Group 3 explored how HEInnovate can better support European University Alliances.
The HEInnovate team outlined the next steps, including the launch of two new working groups focused on Self-Assessment Statements & Dimensions and Action Cards. Experts will also contribute to AI integration testing, new workshops, and peer-learning events planned for 2026.
The next Expert Group meetings will take place in spring 2026 (in-person) and autumn 2026 (online).
To learn more, explore upcoming events, and join the growing HEInnovate community, visit www.heinnovate.eu.