Europa-Institut Opens the 2026–2027 Academic Year
On 6 November 2026, the Europa-Institut opened the 2026–2027 academic year for its master’s program in European and International Law with a ceremony in Saarland University’s assembly hall. Students, graduates, lecturers, and guests from academia and professional practice came together to welcome the incoming class and celebrate the graduates of the previous academic year.
Prof. Dr. Georg Borges, Dean of Studies of the Faculty of Law, and Dr. Deniz Alkan, Head of Division E for European and International Affairs and Franco-German Cooperation at the Saarland State Chancellery, delivered welcoming remarks. Meike Kartes, a member of the board of the ASKO Europa-Stiftung and managing director of the European Academy Otzenhausen, then presented the foundation’s Arno-Krause Prize to student teams in recognition of their exceptional commitment. Earlier in the year, the teams had participated in the Willem C. Vis International Commercial Arbitration Moot and in EuroSim, a simulation of European decision-making.
A highlight of the evening was the keynote address by Prof. Dr. Martin Selmayr, European Union Ambassador to the Holy See, the Sovereign Order of Malta, the United Nations agencies in Rome (FAO, WFP, and IFAD), and the Republic of San Marino. His address was titled “The European Union between geopolitics, geoeconomics and geofinance: Will we shape or be shaped by the new era of aggressive power competition?” He discussed the role of the European Union in a world increasingly shaped by geopolitical and geoeconomic rivalries.
The ceremony also honored longtime lecturers for their dedication to the Europa-Institut. The institute’s directors, Prof. Dr. Marc Bungenberg and Prof. Dr. Till Patrik Holterhus, then presented diplomas to the graduates of the previous academic year.
The opening ceremony brought the Europa-Institut’s international community together to reflect on current challenges facing Europe and recognize academic achievement.
The Europa-Institut wishes all students a successful and exciting start to the 2026–2027 academic year and all graduates the very best for the future!