As a student representative for the European Engineering Learning Innovation and Science Alliance (EELISA) at Istanbul Technical University, I had the privilege of representing our alliance at the European Universities Student Ambassador Forum (EUSAF) 2025, hosted by the SGH Warsaw School of Economics in Poland. The experience went far beyond a typical conference, it was a genuine lesson in the impact of collective student engagement and the value of international collaboration.
From September 4th to 6th, I joined student ambassadors from European University Alliances across the continent. The forum, organized as part of the EUC Voices project, is designed to ensure that student ambassadors have a meaningful and lasting role in shaping the European University Initiative. Our shared purpose was clear: to exchange best practices, identify mutual challenges, and define the student perspective in the future of European higher education.
Throughout the sessions of poster presentations to interactive workshops, the forum provided a space where ideas met action. I presented EELISA’s initiatives and community projects, including examples of how our alliance connects education, research, and societal impact. Engaging with representatives from other alliances revealed how diverse yet interconnected our approaches are, and how collaboration can amplify our individual efforts.
What stood out most was the sense of unity that emerged among participants. Despite representing different alliances and academic backgrounds, we shared a common understanding of the importance of active student participation in shaping institutional and European-level policies. Discussions naturally evolved into concrete proposals and recommendations aimed at strengthening student involvement, communication, and representation within the European University framework.
The experience offered more than insights, it reaffirmed how initiatives like EELISA are reshaping the way students engage with their universities and with Europe as a whole. Being part of EELISA is not simply an extracurricular commitment; it is a practical and strategic opportunity to develop leadership and teamwork skills while contributing to a shared European vision of education.
These experiences also highlight a broader message: the success of alliances such as EELISA depends on the active participation of their students. Every new project, idea, or event contributes to building connections that transcend borders and disciplines.
İlker Kayra Orman is a double major student in Electrical Engineering and Control and Automation Engineering at Istanbul Technical University (ITU). He also holds a degree in Culinary Arts from Istanbul Bilgi University. As a student representative for the EELISA Alliance, he works to strengthen student engagement and international collaboration, and he also represents EELISA in FOREU4All. Alongside his studies, he works part-time at Siemens Türkiye in the Sustainability & Efficiency Services department, focusing on sustainable energy solutions.