CESAER Annual Meetings 2026

Dedicated CAM 2026 website

• >>> Click here for the dedicated CESAER Annual Meetings 2026 website with further details including descriptions and speakers for the events as well as all practical information

In addition to the detailed event page linked above, you can find an overview of CAM 2026 below.

Registration

The registration for CAM 2026 is now open!

You are kindly invited to register for CAM 2026 via the dedicated website at your earliest convenience and no later than 15 September 2026.

All Extranet users have received an invitation to register on 13 July 2026 and are invited to use the link provided in the email for the registration. Please note that the invitation is personalised and should not be shared with others.

If your colleague did not receive the invitation and would like to attend CAM 2026, they are kindly invited to register using this link or contact Indrė Antanavičiūtė.

About CAM 2026

Hosted by Instituto Superior Técnico under the theme “Critical technologies for Europe: From excellence to capability”, CAM 2026 will bring together leaders and representatives from CESAER Member universities to explore how universities of science and technology can help translate Europe’s scientific excellence into technological capability, industrial strength and resilient value chains.

The programme will open with a networking lunch on Wednesday 21 October and conclude with lunch on Friday 23 October. It will feature confirmed contributions from António Costa (President of the European Council), Carlos Moedas (Mayor of Lisbon and European Commissioner for Research, Innovation and Science 2014–2019), Juha Vartiainen (Co-founder and Chief Global Affairs at IQM Quantum Computers), Karin Markides (President of Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology 2023–2026 and former President of CESAER), Nicolas Peter (Senior Advisor to the Director General of the European Space Agency and President of the International Space University 2023–2024), Ricardo Conde (President of the Portuguese Space Agency), Diana Jabłońska (Director of Erasmus, Education and Skills at the European Commission),as well as leaders and experts from across the CESAER membership.

Highlights include:

• High-level conference “Critical technologies for European readiness, competitiveness and sovereignty”, exploring how Europe can strengthen its position in critical technologies while preserving excellence-driven research and building stronger technology ecosystems.
• Workshop on universities and Europe’s future space leadership, focused on engaging with the emerging European Space Agency University Initiative and the wider European space ecosystem.
• Workshop “From European initiatives to institutional impact”, focusing on the European degree label, the European Universities initiative, and how universities can align governance, quality assurance and funding streams in practice.
• General Assembly, bringing together CESAER Members for key discussions and decisions on the association’s work, priorities and governance.
• Welcome reception at Lisbon City Hall and conference dinner at Estufa Fria, offering exceptional settings for networking and exchange in the heart of Lisbon.

Some parts of the programme have limited capacity, so we encourage you to register early to secure your place.

Venue

All work meetings will take place at the Técnico Innovation Center (Google Maps). The building is fully equipped and was thoughtfully designed from the ground up to accommodate the needs of individuals with reduced mobility. All access points feature ramps, restrooms are adapted, and access to the second floor is ensured by an elevator.

Preliminary programme

Programme and timings are preliminary and might be subject to change.

Day 1 - Wednesday, 21 October 2026

Day 2 - Thursday, 22 October 2026

Day 3 - Friday, 23 October 2026

For more information or enquiries, please contact the Secretariat.

Photo by Felicia Varzari on Unsplash