Changes in climate, technology and demography as well as the COVID-19 pandemic are transforming our societies and way of life. The EU Member States, as elsewhere, need a strong higher education sector, as an engine of innovation and entrepreneurship and driver of skills and knowledge. As the conditions in which our societies operate are changing, there is broad consensus that higher education institutions have to adapt and contribute to shaping societal transformation.

The potential of Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) has been further confirmed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Across Europe and internationally, HEIs transitioned to new forms of teaching and learning, connected their research to the needs of their communities, and they are now playing a crucial role in recovery plans.