By Dr. Eleni Gabriel

• Lecturer in International Economic Law at Neapolis University Pafos

What does a truly European university mean today? Is it enough for it to be accessible and to welcome students from different countries, or does it need to foster an environment where everyone feels they belong?

In an era of constant social transformation, participation and access to knowledge are becoming increasingly important. Modern universities are called upon to meet the needs of a multicultural, multilingual, and technologically evolving society by creating conditions that allow all young people to develop their potential.

For many years, the discussion surrounding equality in education focused primarily on which individuals could attend university. Today, however, the issue is broader. It is not enough simply to be physically present in the classroom; but an academic environment is required in which students feel that their voices are heard and that they are an integral part of the community.

Inclusivity involves removing barriers that limit participation and creating academic spaces that respect diversity and offer equal opportunities to everyone, regardless of their social, cultural, or personal background. It is an ongoing process, closely linked to the principles of social justice and equality.

It is precisely these issues that the European research project INES — INclusivity in European Studies — which examines how European Studies can become more open, more inclusive, and better aligned with the needs of contemporary society. The research findings highlight the need to shift from a perspective limited to access to a model that places greater emphasis on representation, dialogue, and a sense of belonging.

The discussions held as part of the project highlighted the need for a university that encourages collaboration, the exchange of ideas, and students’ active participation in academic life. A university where young people are not treated as passive recipients of knowledge, but as members of a vibrant learning community.

These principles are also reflected in the philosophy of the Department of History, Politics, and International Studies at Neapolis University Pafos, which invests in an international perspective, an interdisciplinary approach, and the connection of academic knowledge to contemporary social challenges.

At the same time, Neapolis University’s participation in the European University Alliance EMERGE takes on particular significance at a time when Europe is seeking new ways to shape shared values. Through collaboration among institutions from different regions of the continent, spaces are created for meeting, exchange experiences, and take joint action—where diversity is viewed as a source of creativity and a prerequisite for innovation.

Inclusivity, therefore, concerns the kind of societies we wish to build. Universities can serve as spaces for dialogue, collaboration, and mutual respect, preparing young people for a Europe that is more open and resilient to the challenges of the future. The INES – INclusivity in European Studies project is implemented under the Erasmus+ program and is coordinated by the Institut Catholique de Lille (France). The consortium includes Neapolis University Pafos (Cyprus), Europa-Universität Flensburg (Germany), the University of Piraeus Research Center (Greece), Uniwersytet Jagielloński (Poland), Università ta’ Malta (Malta), and the organization PA Partners for Skills Development (Cyprus). More information is available on the project’s official website: https://inesproject.eu/