From 22 to 24 October 2025, the Technical University of Ingolstadt, Germany, hosted the two most important events within the framework of the European university alliance ACE²-EU – the Annual Congress of the Alliance and the first Kaleidoscope Culture Festival, which brought together over 300 participants – students, professors, researchers and institutional leaders from nine European partner universities, including the University “Goce Delcev” – Stip.
UGD at the center of European academic and cultural dialogue
The University “Goce Delcev” – Stip actively participated in the program of the festival and the congress, presenting its potential through workshops, lectures, performances, exhibitions and panel discussions that emphasized the importance of intercultural dialogue, sustainability and student mobility.
The Rector: “This is confirmation of the European orientation of UGD”
The Rector of Goce Delcev University expressed great satisfaction with the participation of professors and students in these events, noting that such activities represent an important step in building the international image of UGD and promoting academic mobility.
In addition to the festival, a series of meetings were held at the Technical University of Ingolstadt within the framework of the ACE²-EU Alliance, in which a delegation from UGD also participated. The future development of the alliance, its legal structure and the model of permanent cooperation between the partner universities were discussed.
An inspiring student experience
Within the festival, UGD students participated in numerous activities – from artistic performances and discussions about stereotypes, to creative workshops on reusing materials and creating ecological art.
Within the festival, workshops were also held by professors Prof. Dr. Daniela Kocea and Prof. Dr. Marija Gogova from UGD within the framework of the international workshop “Plurality of Culture(s): Challenging Existing Stereotypes – Developing New Understandings.
As part of the ABC Schools, MA Igor Stojanov from UGD was also a lecturer together with lecturers from the Universities of Austria and Spain in the part of the school for sustainable cities and training for public presentation of the challenges created in the ABC Schools.
The “Traditions Reimagined” team, under the mentorship of Ekaterina Namicheva Todorovska and with the participation of students from the Faculty of Natural and Technical Sciences, realized an interactive art workshop and pop-up exhibition within the framework of the festival. The project combined tradition and contemporary concepts of sustainability, with students from different countries creating multicultural designs and visual stories that reflect European diversity.
The students expressed great satisfaction with the opportunity to work with colleagues from different European countries and share ideas in an international environment.
ACE²-EU Congress 2025: European Universities Unite for a Sustainable Future
The ACE²-EU Annual Congress celebrated the first year of activities of this European university alliance. The event brought together representatives of the European Commission, university leaders and policymakers to debate the future of European higher education.
The online address by Vanessa Debia-Senton, representative of the Cabinet of the Executive Vice-President of the European Commission, attracted particular attention, who welcomed the success of ACE²-EU and confirmed the Commission’s support for building an integrated and sustainable European Education Area.
In her address, she outlined the EU’s three strategic priorities for the future of university alliances:
- Ensuring the long-term sustainability of the European university model;
- Developing durable financial mechanisms;
- Encouraging integrated academic mobility and recognition of diplomas and competencies.
European vision, Macedonian contribution
Through the participation of the University “Goce Delcev”, Macedonia has gained a significant role in the development of new models of European academic cooperation and educational innovation. UGD positions itself as an active member of the alliance that unites the most innovative higher education institutions in Europe, with a common vision for education that connects knowledge, entrepreneurship and social responsibility.
Kaleidoscope Culture Festival and ACE²-EU Annual Congress 2025 were a symbol of European unity and academic cooperation, but also a reminder that culture, science and youth are driving forces for social transformation.
The events in Ingolstadt not only opened new horizons for UGD students, but also confirmed the University’s role as a European partner that creates value through education, innovation and cultural exchange.
