An insight into the EULiST Student Board

Ellen Nordling from Sweden and Alise Vikele from Latvia are committed student representatives for EULiST. Alise, who studies Industrial Engineering and Supply Chain Management at JTH, has been involved since the project began. Ellen, who studies International Management at JIBS, was elected to the Student Board in December 2025. Both are very positive about the alliance and its opportunities. Here they share their views on what it is like to be involved in EULiST.

Describe EULiST in three words.

Ellen: – Innovative, Multicultural, Inclusive.

Alise: – Innovative, international, students.

What can the alliance offer you as students?

Ellen: – The opportunities are endless. Right now, we are just in the very beginning, building the foundation, but we are already seeing concrete benefits like joint courses and the development of a Digital Campus.

Alise: – EULiST offers different opportunities, mainly short-term courses which can be found on the EULiST website. In future there will be more joined degrees and other unique mobility options.

What does EULiST mean to you?

Ellen: – Collaboration that includes a diverse group of people from different countries with different levels and backgrounds. It is a place where we learn life skills and cross-cultural communication that you can’t get from a textbook.

Alise: – It´s an international community of people in academia who see the future of borderless European Education.

Why is student involvement in the alliance important?

Ellen: – We make sure the alliance stays student-centered. Before Christmas, I was elected as the new Co-Chair of the Student Board, and as chairs, our purpose is to ensure that student needs are heard by the top management within the alliance. In this way we are influencing decisions on everything from sustainability to digital tools.

Alise: – It gives us the opportunity to shape the future of European educational institutions aligned with our shared values and interests.

What does it mean to be on the student board?

Ellen: – Being part of a team that supports you all the way. It is a privilege to collaborate with, and be surrounded by, students from other universities who are so driven and ambitious. The culture is still inclusive and relaxed. It is easy to make friends because you share a common commitment. It also means responsibility and influence. Unlike many student organizations, we have two votes on the board. This means that we sit at the same table as the rectors from all ten universities and have the same voting rights. You represent over 200,000 students across Europe and ensure that the alliance remains inclusive, responsive, and student-centered. Finally, it is an incredible opportunity for personal development. You develop soft skills that you cannot learn in a classroom. You work in a professional, international environment that prepares you for a global career, and you are well equipped with an international network even before you graduate.

Alise: – For me it means to be part of community which I am very proud of and have been experiencing the best teamwork ever which continues to inspire me when looking back on how much we have achieved.

This summer, a student conference is being arranged in Brno in the Czech Republic. What are you most looking forward to?

Ellen: – Meeting new people and learning new things! I am also really looking forward to exploring a new culture, as I have never been to the Czech Republic before.

Alise: – Unfortunately, I will not be participating since I'm graduating this year, however, I hope that the participants will enjoy it, learn a lot about EULiST, meet our Student Board and develop new friendships. I have been a participant and an organizer of the previous Conferences, and the experience is priceless.

Read more about student engagement within EULiST (Studentwebben)