On June 18 and 19, 2026, the Center of Excellence UNITe hosted the international conference “Visible and Invisible Universities”, which brought together scholars, researchers, and higher education experts from Europe, Asia, Africa, and South America to discuss the evolving role of universities in contemporary society.
The choice of venue was no coincidence. The Center of Excellence UNITe is part of a broader strategy for advancing scientific research and developing modern research infrastructure that supports scientific excellence, international collaboration, and interdisciplinary exchange.
The conference served as the concluding public event of the European Values and Social Challenges (EUVASC) research group under the SUMMIT (Sofia University Marking Momentum for Innovation and Technological Transfer) project. The forum also showcased the group’s achievements while outlining new opportunities for future international academic collaboration.
Organized by the Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski” in partnership with LAREQUOI – Université Paris-Saclay and international academic partners, the two-day event explored the diverse dimensions of university visibility – from international rankings, governance, and academic freedom to artificial intelligence, digital transformation, civic engagement, and the public mission of higher education.
The conference was opened by Prof. Sonya Mileva, Prof. Maria Stoycheva, and Prof. Gilles Rouet, who welcomed the participants and emphasized the importance of interdisciplinary dialogue for the future of universities in an increasingly dynamic and complex global environment.
Prof. Maria Stoycheva, Head of the European Values and Social Challenges (EUVASC) research group, highlighted in her opening remarks the importance of the SUMMIT project for advancing research and increasing the international visibility of Sofia University’s research results. In turn, the University’s Vice Rector, Prof. Sonya Mileva, stressed that universities should be assessed not only by their publications and positions in international rankings, but also by their societal role, academic values, and contribution to society.
Finally, Prof. Gilles Rouet of LAREQUOI – Université Paris-Saclay recalled how the idea for the conference first emerged and highlighted its growing international recognition, including the interest of Springer in launching a future book series dedicated to the topic. According to him, one of the most important – yet often invisible – functions of universities is the creation of international academic networks and long-term partnerships that underpin the development of modern higher education.
The conference continued with four thematic sessions, during which participants presented research on topics including internationalization strategies, university rankings, open science, algorithmic governance, the application of artificial intelligence in higher education, institutional communication, the civic mission of universities, and the societal value of higher education. The discussions highlighted the need to strike a balance between global visibility and local relevance while preserving the core academic values of autonomy, openness, and social responsibility.
The participants also pointed out the importance of the less visible dimensions of academic life, including knowledge transfer, civic engagement, cultural heritage, democratic participation, and the broader societal impact of higher education institutions.
The conference concluded with a roundtable discussion entitled “Beyond Visibility? Public Legitimacy, Democracy and the Future of Universities”, during which the participants summarized the forum’s main conclusions and outlined future directions for collaborative research on the governance and development of higher education.
