UFI Becomes Part of New European Maritime Network

The University of the Faroe Islands is now part of EUNICoast, a new European university alliance with significant development opportunities

EUNICoast stands for the European Alliance of Islands, Ports, and Coastal Territories, and the European Commission has approved the alliance, granting substantial financial support to the collaboration.

There are 13 European universities in the EUNICoast partnership, all of which have the sea in common. The aim is to develop education, research, and innovation with a focus on the ocean. 

The universities in this maritime partnership share a common maritime vision: the sea is not a barrier but a link, as we are connected by sea both culturally and economically. The universities seek to pave the way for new research and collaboration between islands and ports, creating connections between students, teachers, researchers, and industries in these areas.

The European Commission has allocated 107.5 million DKK to support EUNICoast. However, since the Faroe Islands are not yet members of the EHEA or Erasmus+, the University of the Faroe Islands cannot benefit from the funding like the other universities in the partnership. Still, the university has the same opportunities to participate in the work of the collaboration.

If the Faroe Islands manage to gain membership in the EHEA and Erasmus+, the substantial EU funding for EUNICoast could become crucial for the future development of higher education and research in the Faroe Islands. This would especially benefit Faroese students, who could receive support for exchange studies abroad, helping to address the current trend where many young people leave the country to study.

The first EUNICoast conference will be held on September 27th, with all 13 universities in the partnership participating and with Faroese presentations on the programme.

Firouz Gaini, Professor at the University of the Faroe Islands, is part of the leadership group for the collaboration, and Martin Tvede Zachariasen, Rector of the university, sits on the board of rectors.

More information about the collaboration can be found on the EUNICoast website here.