Maastricht University is looking for student members for the YUFE Student Forum!

Diversity and inclusivity are at the core of the YUFE identity. We strongly encourage students with all backgrounds and identities to apply for the Student Forum to truly foster an inclusive YUFE community.

What is YUFE?

The Young Universities for the Future of Europe (YUFE) alliance is a partnership consisting of ten young research-intensive universities from ten European countries. The YUFE alliance, together with its four associate partners from the private and NGO sector, aims at bringing radical change in European higher education by establishing itself as the leading model of a young, student-centred, non-elitist, open and inclusive European University. A unique ecosystem linking universities to communities, YUFE is based on cooperation between higher education institutions, the public and private sector, and citizens across Europe. The YUFE proposal has received the top-score as part of the European University Initiative (EUI) of the European Commission (97/100), which will pilot the development of revolutionary concepts such as European Degrees, the European Student Card and inclusive mobility for all.

What’s the YUFE Student Forum?

How will YUFE stay young, student-centred, and non-elitist? The YUFE Student Forum has a lot to do with this! The purpose of the Student Forum is to make sure that the perspective of the students is always present in the realisation of the YUFE vision. From the outset, students have played a central role in all stages of the alliance – from proposal preparation, to now the implementation phase. Each partner university of the YUFE alliance has committed to have of three students participate in the Student Forum and the working groups that will oversee YUFE’s implementation. The YUFE Student Forum representatives are important in co-leading and co-creating the YUFE project and vision. This is also reflected with the participation of students in the whole governance structure of YUFE, even on the level of the Strategy Board, where the President of the YUFE Student Forum acts as a co-chair. As a student-member, you will co-develop the YUFE Student Journey, YUFE in the city-initiatives, etc. The Student Forum will elect a steering Board that is responsible for the daily management of the Forum. 

What’s your role?

As a YUFE Student-member for UM, your role will take many forms. You will:

• actively work with your fellow UM student-colleagues and your Institutional Coordinator to communicate relevant YUFE activities to UM students and gather and communicate their input to the wider YUFE Student Forum;
• work with the representatives of all other YUFE partners as part of the YUFE Student Forum to ensure that the input of students is reflected in the development of the alliance
• actively participate in one of the eight thematic YUFE working groups, for instance in ‘Diversity and Inclusivity’ ‘YUFE in the city,’ or the ‘Student Journey’, which will make the YUFE vision a reality.

An ideal candidate would be able to communicate in English, has good communication and organisation skills (or be motivated to improve these) and is open-minded. Moreover, you need to be able to dedicate sufficient time (min. 10 hours/month as an indication) and be willing to engage in occasional European travel. An open and inclusive mind and the ability to take initiative is key. However, most importantly, you will need to demonstrate your motivation, enthusiasm and commitment to make truly European Higher Education a reality. Language guidance can be offered if necessary. It is important to keep in mind that this is a voluntary opportunity, but that all expenses due to YUFE (e.g. travel costs) will be compensated by your university.

Once you are selected, you will receive an invitation for a two-day ‘Welcome meeting’. This meeting will consist of an opportunity to get to know each other and to get a thorough introduction to the YUFE-project, its vision and its deliverables, but also to acquire useful skills like intercultural communication through training sessions. After this, an election of the Student Forum Board will take place. 

Are you ready to take part in making history and change the education landscape of Europe?

Send us your application, including a CV and a motivation letter (max. 1 page), by 1 June 2021 at veronique.eurlings@maastrichtuniversity.nl using the subject line “YUFE Student Forum Application”.

More information can be received via the YUFE website or by contacting YUFE institutional coordinator at UM: Veronique Eurlings.