11 colleges from the Meuse-Rhine Euregio strengthen their cross-border network for higher education

Eleven institutions of higher professional education located in the border region of the Netherlands, Belgium, and Germany have agreed to further facilitate cross-border studies and experiences. To this end, they signed a cooperation agreement during the international OECD conference in Maastricht.

Concretely, this means that students will have the opportunity to complete part of their education and gain practical experience across the border.

With this cooperation agreement now signed, the Haute École de la Province de Liège (HEPL), the Haute École Charlemagne (HECh), the Haute École de la Ville de Liège (HEL), the Haute École Libre Mosane (HELMo), Zuyd University of Applied Sciences, Fontys University of Applied Sciences, PXL University of Applied Sciences and Arts, UCLL, Katholische Hochschule NRW, FH Aachen, and the Autonome Hochschule Ostbelgien are joining forces to further open up education and research in the border region.

Spotlight on the Einstein Telescope

Although this concerns several sectors, the development of this trinational cross-border cooperation cannot be separated from the Einstein Telescope and the broader need for young people trained in technical and scientific fields.

More than a sign of interest

This signature aligns with the objectives of the policy framework “Working towards a resilient economy”, in which trinational education is explicitly identified as a pillar for the development of a sustainable educational infrastructure. For reference, in March 2025, five universities in the Meuse-Rhine Euregio had already signed a joint cooperation agreement entitled “The Art of Working Together”, bringing together the University of Liège, Maastricht University, Hasselt University, RWTH Aachen University, and the Open Universiteit.

As emphasized by Elianne Demollin-Schneiders, Provincial Deputy for Education and Labour Market, this cross-border collaboration represents “much more than a formal agreement” and aims to “truly open borders for learning, working, and innovation”.

Thus, within the framework of the creation of the Einstein Academy — the cooperation between secondary and higher professional education in the Dutch province of Limburg — the door has been explicitly opened to higher professional education in the Euregio, attracting strong interest from Belgium and North Rhine-Westphalia.

Future internships

The now formalized cooperation aims to enable students to cross borders without barriers to study, undertake internships, or participate in international research projects. In the coming months, the institutions will explore how to intensify exchanges of students and staff, as well as the development of joint degree programmes, minors, research projects, and exchange programmes.

Closer links will also be established with regional businesses and societal partners. This strengthens the network, increases clustering opportunities, fosters innovation, and gives both employers and students access to more opportunities. It also contributes to the availability of skilled talent, addressing current challenges such as population ageing and labour market shortages.

To underline the regional importance of this initiative, the Dutch Province of Limburg, the Province of Liège, the Belgian Province of Limburg, the Zweckverband Region Aachen, and the German-speaking Community of Belgium have signed a letter of support. At the same time, euregional employers’ organisations have also signed a letter of support.

OECD conference

The signing of this cooperation agreement took place during the international OECD conference “Global Forum on Local Development”, which was inaugurated on Thursday 28 May in Maastricht. More than one thousand policymakers, researchers, and experts from dozens of countries gathered in a region where cross-border cooperation is at the core of practice.

During the conference, special attention was also given to the Einstein Telescope, including visits to the ETPathfinder in Maastricht and the Einstein Telescope Education Centre (ETEC), attached to the Discovery Museum in Kerkrade, as well as a presentation of the ET-CRISTAL laboratory by Professor Christophe Collette (ULiège). Throughout the day, pitches were held and a stand was also present in the conference hall at the MECC in Maastricht.