Role and mandate

The DIVERSE Student Council (SC) is the highest representative body of the student community within the DIVERSE Alliance, representing more than 150,000 students across 12 partner institutions. It ensures that student perspectives are actively included in the governance, activities, and development of the Alliance.

The Council acts as a bridge between the student community and the Executive Board, strengthening the democratic participation of students in the construction of the European Universities Alliance.

Its main responsibilities include:

• Student representation: ensuring that student perspectives are considered in decision-making processes, including joint policies, curriculum development and campus life initiatives.
• Advocacy: promoting and protecting the rights, interests, and well-being of students within the Alliance.
• Participation and engagement: organising forums, surveys, and meetings to gather feedback, proposals and concerns from the student community.
• Promotion of values: supporting European values such as inclusion, diversity, gender equality and democratic participation.
• Consultation and collaboration: contributing to committees and task forces on topics such as flexible curriculum design, mobility and student services.
• Dissemination: helping communicate Alliance initiatives, activities, and opportunities to students across partner institutions.

 

Student representatives also benefit from their participation through leadership development, international networking opportunities, and the acquisition of skills in advocacy, intercultural dialogue, and democratic governance. At the end of their term, members receive a certificate of commitment recognising their contribution to the Alliance.

Decisions within the Council are generally taken by consensus, with a 51% majority required for formal votes. The Council also conducts an annual self-assessment, the results of which feed into its Annual Report and recommendations to the Executive Board.

Members

The Student Council is composed of 24 members, with two student representatives from each of the 12 partner institutions of the Alliance.

The Council elects a President and Vice-President from among its members to coordinate activities and represent the Council within the Alliance governance structures.

Membership aims to reflect the diversity of the student community, including differences in gender, academic background and study cycle (Bachelor, Master, and Doctoral levels).

Eligibility and Selection

• Any student enrolled at a partner institution may be eligible to join the Council.
• Representatives are selected through the procedures established by each institution’s student bodies, ensuring transparent and democratic processes.
• Members are expected to have sufficient English proficiency to participate effectively in international meetings and collaborative activities.
• The duration of the mandate is one academic year, with the possibility of renewal.

Activities

The Student Council plays an active role in shaping the student dimension of the Alliance.

Meetings and Coordination

The Council meets approximately every two months, mainly online to ensure participation from all partner institutions. Whenever possible, at least one in-person meeting per year is organised, with hosting responsibilities rotating among the partners.

The DIVERSE Secretariat provides logistical and operational support for organising meetings and facilitating collaboration.

Work Planning and Contributions

Each year, the Council develops a work plan and contributes to several key initiatives of the Alliance, including:

• Developing a student engagement strategy for the Alliance
• Contributing to the design of mobility pathways, joint study programmes, and micro-programmes
• Supporting the co-creation of the DIVERSE Student Charter
• Providing input to quality assurance processes and institutional policies
• Preparing an Annual Student Council Report with recommendations for the Executive Board

Through these activities, the Student Council ensures that students play a meaningful role in shaping the future of the DIVERSE Alliance.