Following the first set of rector interviews, this second article continues the series by presenting the perspectives of three additional university leaders from the EU GREEN Alliance universities: Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg, Atlantic Technological University and University of Oradea. Their reflections highlight how their institutions are shaped by their regional contexts, how they connect education and research with societal needs, and how collaboration within the alliance contributes to addressing sustainability challenges across Europe.
Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg – Rector Prof. Dr.-Ing. Jens Strackeljan
You have led your university for over a decade. What path brought you here?
I have been Rector of Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg since 2012, having previously served as Prorector for Studies and Teaching. I studied mechanical engineering at Clausthal University of Technology, where I completed my doctorate in engineering in 1993. I hold a professorship in technical dynamics and have conducted research on oscillations, particularly in high-speed rotor systems.
How would you describe Magdeburg and the identity of your university?
Magdeburg, the capital of Saxony-Anhalt, is situated on the Elbe River. The city has a strong industrial foundation, especially in mechanical engineering, logistics, and renewable energy, and is increasingly becoming a centre for science and research.
Otto von Guericke University is known for its strength and cutting-edge research in engineering, natural sciences, and especially medicine, while also offering a wide range of programmes in the social sciences and humanities. By emphasising interdisciplinary research and cooperation with local industries, our graduates benefit from excellent career prospects, particularly in mechanical engineering, medical technology, IT, and renewable energy. We are committed to providing a sustainable environment for studying, working, and research, and in the coming years we will continue transforming our campus into a vibrant, green, and future-oriented place of learning and collaboration.
What does EU GREEN mean for your institution?
We are extremely proud to be part of this ambitious alliance. We lead Work Package 9 on Communication, Dissemination and Impact and co-lead Work Package 1 on Innovative Management and Coordination.
With GREENWORK — the infrastructure idea of our Alliance and part of our Work Package — we support all EU GREEN members and aim to enable exchange and collaboration, allowing for the sharing of ideas, awareness of research and learning opportunities, and the creation of a large network of researchers, students, and staff.
For our research staff, participation offers numerous advantages. External perspectives have always been catalysts for innovation. The problems of climate change and sustainability know no borders, and collaborative approaches are the only way to tackle them effectively.
Can alliances like EU GREEN also strengthen regional ties?
We believe that this initiative can absolutely strengthen ties between our regions. Magdeburg and the other cities in this alliance have similar socioeconomic profiles and thus face similar challenges on a regional level. Research and innovation that aids one partner university will benefit all of us. We want this alliance to extend beyond the universities and into the streets of the cities we are rooted in.
The university values its relationship with local industry, facilitating collaboration between our researchers and businesses, as well as dual study programs where students can pursue a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree and apprenticeships at the same time, benefiting from local expertise alongside their theoretical studies. This is an asset for all members of the alliance.
How do you connect research with society?
We are a university that fosters an entrepreneurial spirit, and knowledge transfer and social engagement are very important to us. We see Otto von Guericke University as a key partner in the cultural, social, and economic life of the region and Saxony-Anhalt.
The university’s academic ventures contribute significantly to local projects, advising and supporting various sectors such as city planning, state initiatives, and regional businesses. Moreover, our diverse student body, representing over 100 countries, is deeply involved in social, cultural, and ecological projects that extend beyond the campus and strengthen the community in the region — for example, by helping with refugee support and integration.
How is EU GREEN shaping the citizens of tomorrow?
In my view, the EU GREEN project is shaping the citizens of tomorrow both directly and indirectly. The infrastructure and technologies we are contributing to through this alliance will hopefully be woven into the fabric of their daily lives. Directly, our project is teaching people about the Sustainable Development Goals and their significance, especially in our regional cities, and providing them with the tools to implement sustainability. One motivating factor for our alliance was to increase the scientific literacy of citizens. By fostering diversity and mobility in our alliance, we also hope to create tolerant citizens who are aware of how internationalism benefits them and wider society.
🇮🇪 Atlantic Technological University – President Dr. Orla Flynn
What has shaped your journey to becoming ATU’s inaugural President?
I was appointed President of Atlantic Technological University in April 2022. Before that, I served as President of Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology and as Vice President for External Affairs at Cork Institute of Technology. I hold qualifications in Mathematical Physics and Computer Science, an MA in Management in Education, and a PhD from the University of Limerick.
How does your region define ATU’s identity?
ATU is situated on the western seaboard of Ireland and Europe — making us the most westerly university in the EU. Our campuses span Donegal, Sligo, Mayo, and Galway, covering a vast, predominantly rural and remote region characterised by rugged coastlines, mountainous terrain, and dispersed populations.
The region has historically been viewed as peripheral and is classified as “in transition,” yet it offers strategic opportunities in renewable energy, automation, advanced manufacturing, pharma, medtech, tourism, and the creative industries.
With over 29,000 students across more than 600 undergraduate and doctoral programmes, ATU is committed to bolstering economic, social, and cultural development across the west and northwest. We are deeply rooted in industry engagement and offer courses aligned with workforce needs. ATU is also Ireland’s leading provider of online education, offering flexible learning pathways for people of all backgrounds.
What role does ATU play within EU GREEN?
We see the European Universities initiative as transformative — a vital step in reimagining what it means to be a European university: connected, inclusive, and future-oriented.
ATU leads Work Package 5 on Engagement for Sustainable Societies and Economies. This focuses on strengthening collaboration between universities, organisations, communities, and industry to address shared sustainability challenges. We have hosted alliance workshops, contributed to the development of joint challenges, and supported the creation of a shared Engagement Hub.
More than 100 ATU staff members are actively engaged in EU GREEN activities, and student involvement continues to expand through the Student Council and Blended Intensive Programmes.
Does this collaboration extend beyond universities?
Yes. One of the most compelling aspects of EU GREEN is its ability to connect regions, cities, organisations, and communities. At ATU, we are deeply embedded in our local and regional economies, and we see EU GREEN as a platform to share challenges and solutions across borders — particularly in sustainability, innovation, and social inclusion.
How does research at ATU connect with societal impact?
Research at ATU is closely tied to social and economic impact. We work in partnership with industry, government, and communities on projects in renewable energy, rural healthcare, marine science, and digital transformation.
Our Research and Innovation centres translate knowledge into practice and support entrepreneurship. Living labs on our campuses — including green and blue spaces — enable staff and students to run citizen science activities with local communities. Engagement with society is central to our research ethos.
How is EU GREEN shaping future European citizens?
Through joint programmes, collaborative research, green initiatives, and mobility opportunities, EU GREEN supports students and staff in developing sustainability awareness, inclusivity, and cultural understanding. It helps prepare environmentally conscious and globally minded citizens for an interconnected Europe.
🇷🇴 University of Oradea – Rector Prof. Constantin Bungău
You have been part of your university for decades. How would you introduce yourself?
My name is Constantin Bungău. I am Rector of the University of Oradea, a full professor and PhD supervisor in Engineering and Management. I have been part of the university’s academic staff since 1990 within the Faculty of Managerial and Technological Engineering.
What defines Oradea and your university today?
The University of Oradea is the only public university in the city of Oradea, located in Bihor County, a region at Romania’s north-western border. Economically, Bihor is a multi-sectoral developed area, where industries based on innovation and new technologies coexist with public health services and companies across various sectors. Geographically, Oradea is positioned in a region that has been harnessing geothermal water resources for nearly a thousand years. Right near the city, we have a world-renowned spa resort—Băile Felix.
Our university has an integrated campus, located close to the city center, with all the necessary facilities, including beautiful buildings in the art nouveau style. We currently have over 21,000 students, around 900 teaching staff and about 500 support staff involved in the educational process.
The most popular study programs today are in engineering, medical sciences, and social sciences. But I would like to emphasize that we are a comprehensive university, covering all academic fields, and we train graduates capable of integrating into any economic or social sector, both locally and across Europe.
What does EU GREEN represent for your institution?
The University of Oradea enthusiastically joined the European Universities initiative and we are proud to be part of the EU GREEN Alliance. Within the alliance, we coordinate WP7dedicated to access, inclusion and diversity, contributing to the development of policies and actions that promote equal opportunities in higher education. At the same time, we are actively involved in all the main areas of cooperation within EU GREEN, including sustainability-oriented education, research collaboration, mobility, innovation and engagement with society. At the University of Oradea, these initiatives are implemented with the active participation of both staff and students.
Can EU GREEN strengthen ties between regions?
Absolutely, yes.
How does your university connect research with social engagement?
Definitely. I must say that the University of Oradea is fully aware that without strong performance in innovation transfer and research, it will never reach its target status as a truly European university. That’s why, in our strategic development plan, we invest significantly in innovation transfer and enhancing research performance. These are clearly top priorities for our university’s current leadership. We’ve already made significant progress and investments in our own Technology Transfer Center, Industry 4.0, which we are very proud of. We’ve also developed interdisciplinary research platforms and worked closely with local authorities on the development of the county’s Technology Transfer Park. These are the benchmarks we aim to improve year after year.
How does EU GREEN shape the citizens of tomorrow?
EU GREEN implements modern forms of education that promote sustainability, inclusion, and well-being. The programmes developed within the alliance are aligned with sustainability, economic performance, and social inclusion. In this way, the alliance contributes to shaping responsible and well-prepared European citizens.
