The European Universities Initiative as a Catalyst for Policy Change: The Case of Serbian Universities

This paper explores how the European Universities Initiative (EUI) influences university policy-making in Serbia. Using the lens of historical institutionalism, it examines how Serbian universities respond to strategic expectations coming from European University Alliances and how these external pressures shape internal policies. The study focuses on policies aimed at modernizing curricula, implementation of the EUI strategies, connecting study programmes with labor market needs, and fostering cooperation with actors outside academia. The research is based on a qualitative case study approach, combining content analysis of strategic documents, internationalization plans, regulatory frameworks, and EUI-related materials with semi-structured interviews conducted with university leaders, professors, EUI project coordinators, and policy stakeholders. This combination allows for an understanding of both formal and informal ways in which EUI-driven ideas influence university decisions. Preliminary findings suggest that the EUI does have an impact on Serbian universities, but this influence is uneven. Some institutions show clear policy changes, especially in areas like internationalization, governance, and external cooperation, while others adapt more slowly. Overall, the initiative appears to drive incremental rather than radical change, mainly through soft governance tools and institutional learning rather than direct policy enforcement. The paper contributes to understanding how transnational initiatives can shape university policies in non-EU contexts and offers insights for policymakers and university leaders seeking to engage with European University Alliances effectively.