Inside the Alliance: María-Eugenia Marín's Reflections on IE University’s Path with CIVICA

María-Eugenia Marín, as the General Director of International Relations at IE Business School and IE University in Madrid, embodies the role in global academic leadership. With an educational background from Harvard University and the London School of Economics, Marín has been instrumental in fostering international collaborations since joining the External Relations team in 2002. Her role in the Steering Committee determines ongoing CIVICA Research activities and provides a platform for the exchange of practices, strategic alignment, and decision-making between IE University and CIVICA. In an interview with María-Eugenia Marín, she delves into her journey with CIVICA, emphasizing the importance of a globalized education and the mutual benefits of IE University joining this strategic alliance.

Q: Can you describe your journey with CIVICA and your experience as one of the leading connections between IE and CIVICA?

A: IE University was invited to join CIVICA in October 2022. CIVICA was created in 2018 with six original members. The first CIVICA 4 -year cycle ran from 2018-2022. IE joined in the second cycle, running from 2022-2026. I currently represent IE University on the CIVICA Steering Committee which in essence, alongside the President's Committee and the Permanent Design Team (Research), is the governance body that defines CIVICA’s strategy and activities. My experience with CIVICA thus far has been enriching and challenging at the same time. Enriching because CIVICA brings together ten leading European social sciences universities that not only collaborate closely and share best practices on many fronts, but also create, brainstorm, and innovate together; challenging because the project itself is very demanding and requires an important institutional commitment. At present more than 30 people from IE University, including faculty and staff, are engaged with this alliance, not to mention the increasing number of IE University students that have participated or will participate)in a wide variety of CIVICA activities and initiatives that are offered on a regular basis.

Q: How does IE University work to contribute to the alliance? What benefits does IE University receive on the other end?

A: IE University is an active participant in ten CIVICA work packages and leads a very ambitious work package related to developing a global outreach strategy for the alliance. The work packages we participate in include activities for undergraduate, master’s and PhD students that involve short immersion periods at CIVICA member schools, research collaborations, seminars and events, cross-school collaboration of library services, campus life and sports initiatives, and activities around foresight and innovation in the social sciences, namely the creation of a CIVICA innovation hub and a CIVICA entrepreneurship hub. IE University's global outreach work package is already beginning to bear fruits. Last week we presented our first deliverable which consisted of a comprehensive analysis of strategic academic and non-academic partnerships across the alliance and made recommendations on how to leverage existing common partnerships for the benefit of

CIVICA as well as define a strategy to identify new potential external stakeholders, such as companies, foundations, multilateral organizations, think tanks, etc. for CIVICA engagement. In 2025, IE University will also host at the IE tower a CIVICA global forum that will bring together representatives from across a wide range of sectors to discuss the role of the social sciences in the future of higher education.

Q: How do you think the schools can further connect and work on the CIVICA efforts together? Are there any particular cases or examples that stand out?

A: More recently recruitment offices and careers management departments across the alliance have joined forces to cross-promote programs offered across this alliance, as well as share career opportunities for students. A sustainability board was also created to share best practices. Collaborations among research centers at member schools have also started to take shape. I am certain that more and more of these ad-hoc collaborations will organically develop within CIVICA.

Q: How can CIVICA play a role in enriching the experience of IE University students?

A: CIVICA offers a wide array of opportunities for students, ranging from mobility experiences, to becoming student ambassadors, participating in seminars, conferences, forums, and sports events, holding seats in CIVICA governance bodies (an IE university student currently sits on the CIVICA steering committee), among others. Although students receive CIVICA certificates for many of these activities, the CIVICA management and steering committees are currently developing a more comprehensive CIVICA certificate that will be awarded based on not only participation in a set number of activities, but will also consider civic engagement and service to society. These certificates and the activities they are awarded for offer an important value added for students and will provide valuable information for recruiters.

Q: Is there any specific note or detail about IE University’s alliance with CIVICA you’d like others to know?

A: An important new initiative and perhaps the most noteworthy at this moment with respect to European university alliances, is the action plan for a European university degree based on a common set of criteria agreed at the European level. The European university alliances, such as CIVICA, will provide one pathway for the degree. The European Union (EU) is currently assessing potential models, structures, legal and regulatory issues that would need to be in place for this plan to move forward. A European degree will offer more opportunities for students to study across multiple universities in Europe and offer innovative and transdisciplinary learning opportunities across campuses. At the EU level, a European degree will offer increased competitiveness and attractiveness of EU universities by offering a truly European experience of learning. At IE University we look forward to taking the next steps in this exciting initiative.