From Zagreb to Rotterdam: Strengthening City-University Partnerships for Resilient Societies

The event marked a continuation of the pivotal UNIC city Leaders Forum held in Zagreb in July 2026 , where Mayor Tomislav Tomašević hosted the UNIC City Leaders Forum. There, city leaders university leaders and the local Centre for City Futures representatives from across the UNIC alliance exchanged ideas on urban innovation, societal transformation, and the vital role of city-university cooperation in shaping Europe's future. Mayor Tomašević travelled to Rotterdam for EUR's academic year opening, reinforcing the growing partnership between cities and universities within the UNIC Alliance. 

During his visit, the Mayor met with UNIC Alliance Coordinator Professor Semiha Denktaş and delivered a keynote address on urban resilience, sharing Zagreb's experiences in sustainable transport, climate adaptation, and disaster preparedness. His message highlighted how cities can become more adaptable and future-ready through long-term investment, innovation, and students’ involvement. 

"Resilience is not built in isolation," was a recurring message throughout the day. Whether responding to climate challenges, managing rapid technological change, or strengthening social cohesion, durable solutions emerge when cities, universities, governments, and communities work together. 

UNIC Alliance Coordinator Professor Semiha Denktaş and Mayor of Zagreb Tomislav Tomašević

A Shared Vision for Resilient Communities

An important moment of the programme was the on-stage conversation between Mayor Tomašević and EUR President Annelien Bredenoord. Together, they explored how universities and municipalities can jointly address societal challenges and create meaningful impact for citizens.  

Building resilient societies requires combining scientific knowledge with public leadership, innovation with inclusion, and local action with international cooperation. 

This vision resonated strongly with the broader theme of the opening ceremony, "Utopia? Building Resilient Societies." Throughout the programme, speakers emphasized that resilience is not only about responding to crises, but also about creating the conditions that enable communities to thrive amid change. The mayor closed by noting that, alongside resilient cities, resilient citizens are the true cornerstone of a resilient society. 

Connecting Knowledge, Policy and Practice 

The contributions by Rotterdam Alderman Jeroen Postma and Yashar Ghiassi-Farrokhfal of Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University highlighted the unique value of city-university partnerships. Universities generate new knowledge and innovative ideas, while cities provide the real-world environments in which those ideas can be tested, refined, and translated into practical solutions for residents. 

The event also reflected the strong relationship between Erasmus University Rotterdam and the Municipality of Rotterdam, a partnership that continues to support innovation, policy development, and societal impact across the city. 

Alderman for Youth, Education and Sports Jeroen Postma, President of the Erasmus University Rotterdam’s Executive Board Professor Annelien Bredenoord, UNIC Alliance Coordinator Professor Semiha Denktaş, Mayor of Zagreb Tomislav Tomašević, Director of Social Development, Employment and Income at the Municipality of Rotterdam

Continuing the UNIC Journey

The Opening of the Academic Year was also an opportunity to strengthen the connections established during the UNIC City Leaders Forum in Zagreb. Among those present were Director of Social Development, Employment and Income Edim Hadžiavdić and Manager EU-affairs Murat Altunbaş from the Municipality of Rotterdam, who had been part of the Rotterdam delegation in Zagreb earlier this summer. Their participation underscored the importance of sustained engagement between local and European experiences. By bringing together local governments, academic communities, and societal partners, UNIC continues to create opportunities for collaboration, knowledge exchange, and mutual learning across Europe. 

As the new academic year begins, the message from Rotterdam was clear: resilient societies are built through partnership. From Zagreb to Rotterdam, the conversations taking place across the UNIC Alliance demonstrate the value of connecting academic expertise with urban leadership. At a time when cities face unprecedented social, environmental, and technological challenges, collaboration between universities and municipalities is becoming not just beneficial, but essential. By strengthening these partnerships and fostering dialogue across borders, UNIC is helping create the knowledge, networks, and collective ambition needed to build more resilient, inclusive, and future-ready communities throughout Europe.