Q-Helix Alliance – a shared culture of quality in European higher education

On 12–13 January 2026, representatives of the Q-Helix International Center for Quality in Education and Research met in person at the headquarters of Instituto Superior Politécnico Gaya (ISPGAYA) in Vila Nova de Gaia (Portugal). The meeting constituted another stage of cooperation within the Q-Helix Alliance – a European university alliance operating for nearly three years, led by WSB University. 
During the proceedings, the Alliance coordinators worked on key strategic and operational documents aimed at ensuring high-quality education and scientific research across the entire Q-Helix Alliance. The discussions addressed, among others:

•  joint quality assurance frameworks,
•  uniform communication standards,
•  mechanisms for knowledge exchange and lifelong learning,
•  guidelines concerning the responsible and ethical use of artificial intelligence in education and research.

An important part of the meeting also involved planning the further strategic development of the Alliance, deepening cooperation among partners, and preparing joint activities for the coming months. 
The next meeting of the Q-Helix International Center for Quality in Education and Research will take place on 4–5 May 2026 in Prešov (Slovakia), and will be hosted by the University of Presov. 
The Q-Helix Alliance is one of the European university alliances implemented under the European Universities initiative, which constitutes a key element of the European strategy for higher education. Currently, the initiative includes 73 alliances, bringing together nearly 650 higher education institutions from across Europe. More information about the European Universities initiative can be found on the European Commission’s website: CHECK

Partners of the Q-Helix Alliance:

1. WSB University – Poland (Alliance leader)  
2. Reutlingen University of Applied Sciences – Germany
3. University of Presov – Slovakia
4. Public International Business College Mitrovica – Kosovo
5. Titu Maiorescu University – Romania
6. EPHEC University College – Belgium
7. European Humanities University – Lithuania
8. University of Artois – France
9. Dnipro University of Technology – Ukraine
10. Kyiv National University of Technologies and Design – Ukraine
11. Instituto Superior Politécnico Gaya (ISPGAYA) – Portugal  

The event was implemented with funding from the Polish National Agency for Academic Exchange (NAWA) on the basis of Agreement No. BPI/WUE/2025/1/00016/U/00001, concluded between NAWA and WSB University under the programme “Support for European Universities – call 2025,” financed from European Union funds. The project implementation period covers the years 2025–2027.