14-16 October 2026
ZHAW Zurich University of Applied Sciences, Theaterstrasse 15c, 8401 Winterthur, Switzerland

The 2026 Integrating Content and Language in Higher Education Symposium will be held at ZHAW (Switzerland) on 14-16 October 2026. The symposium welcomes an international audience and is designed to foster exchange and collaboration beyond national contexts. It is dedicated to the evolving role of Integrating Content and Language in Higher Education (ICLHE) in fostering student-centered pedagogies that emphasise active, collaborative, and inquiry-based learning. The symposium also foregrounds the growing importance of empathy and relational engagement in higher education, exploring how ICLHE can support inclusive, supportive environments that enhance student well-being, autonomy, and deep learning.

Further information and registration: ICLHE Symposium 2026 | ZHAW Applied Linguistics

22-23 October 2026
Rue du Trône 98, 1050 Brussels
co-organised by the Swiss Global Competence Lab and SwissCore, with the support of UAS4EUROPE, and Universities of Applied Science Denmark

The European Universities Initiative has promised to transform the European higher education landscape through an ambitious vision for institutional cooperation. As the new programmes for research and education are taking shape, 2026 provides an important opportunity to assess the benefits and challenges of university alliances, specifically for the Swiss context. 

This two-day symposium is jointly organised by the Swiss Global Competence Lab (SGCL) and SwissCore, with the support of UAS4EUROPE and Universities of Applied Science Denmark. It brings together Swiss representatives of higher education institutions involved in the European University alliances or considering involvement in an alliance.

The symposium offers a space for open and critical reflection on definitions of success and the added value of the alliance model for Swiss higher education institutions. A joint pre-workshop for universities of applied sciences will further offer an opportunity to compare and discuss Swiss and international experiences, as well as to present key messages to invited decision-makers in charge of the future of the initiative.

During different thematic sessions of the symposium, participants will examine both current practices and future expectations for how alliances can serve the distinct needs of Swiss institutions, especially in light of evolving EU programmes, Switzerland’s anticipated association to Erasmus+ and in the current geopolitical landscape.

Some of the key questions posed during thematic sessions include:

• What scientific evidence exists concerning the impact of university alliances?
• What is the political relevance of university alliances for Swiss institutions?
• What does it mean for an alliance to be successful, and how can this be measured?
• What are the strategic reasons for Swiss higher education institutions to engage in the European Universities Initiative, and what unique benefits does the Initiative provide beyond those of existing international collaboration frameworks?

Target groups: Project managers of EUI alliances and senior staff responsible for institutional strategy. Both alliance members and those considering engagement are welcome.

Further information: The future of the EUI – from 22 to 23 October 2026
Registration Form: Symposium on the future of the EUI

Designed around the results of a needs analysis conducted in four Swiss Universities of Applied Sciences, the Swiss Global Competence Lab offered its Swiss Global Training Days from 2023 until 2025.

We are currently working on adapting the Swiss Global Training Days, with the goal of developing future offerings that are more responsive, flexible, and relevant for a broad range of audiences. Information about updated concepts and future opportunities will be available soon!

For more information on past Swiss Global Training Days, see the links below:

Swiss Global Training Days 2023-24
Swiss Global Training Days 2025-26