University autonomy and student mobility are key factors for a modern, high-quality and internationally connected higher education system. Autonomy gives institutions the freedom to design their own study programmes, manage resources and build international partnerships. This flexibility enables innovation in teaching and research, strengthens institutional accountability and supports responsiveness to global challenges.
Student mobility, both physical and virtual, allows students to acquire intercultural skills, improve their employability and experience different academic systems. Programmes such as Erasmus+ have demonstrated how mobility strengthens European identity and promotes social inclusion. These two dimensions are deeply interconnected: only autonomous universities can fully support flexible learning pathways, recognise credits across national borders and offer joint or double degree programmes.
Promoting both autonomy and mobility means investing in a more open, inclusive and resilient higher education area. “Autonomous institutions, mobile students: building knowledge without borders”.
