The School of Economics, Management, and Political Science of the University of Minho - EEG|UMinho - welcomed the University of Maynooth as part of the Twinning 2.0 mobility program, promoted by the Arqus Alliance.

The initiative took place between April 21 and 24, 2025, and marked the second phase of an academic exchange between the two institutions, following an initial face-to-face collaboration in December in Ireland.

The meeting focused on the theme “Multi-level Challenges for the European Union and the Challenge to the Global International Order,” bringing together postgraduate students—five students from Maynooth University, two master's students in Law and three doctoral students in Sociology, and five doctoral students from EEG|UMinho, from the areas of Administrative Sciences and Political Science and International Relations - researchers and lecturers in an environment dedicated to scientific debate and intercultural exchange.

The program was attended by experts from different European universities, with presentations focused on the exchange of knowledge and comparative analysis of public policies.

In this regard, Professor Isabel Estrada Carvalhais, from EEG|UMinho, addressed the challenges facing the European Union in the contemporary international order, and Professor John O'Brennan, from Maynooth University, analyzed the evolution of European security in light of recent changes in US foreign policy. Professor Denita Cepiku, from Tor Vergata University (Rome), led a session dedicated to co-production in the public sector, offering a comparative and applied perspective on governance practices. On the social and cultural side, the event included a themed tour of Braga city center, led by PhD student Filipe Silva Fernandes, a visit to Bom Jesus do Monte—a UNESCO World Heritage Site—and an official reception at Braga City Hall, promoting cultural enrichment and closer ties between participants.

This edition of Twinning Arqus 2. 0 strengthened the strategic collaboration between the University of Minho and Maynooth University, promoting interdisciplinary research and the construction of international knowledge networks, reflecting EEG|UMinho's commitment to postgraduate training geared towards major global challenges, preparing researchers and professionals to work in demanding and constantly changing international contexts. Professors Marco Paschoalotto and Luís Mota, from EEG|UMinho, and Professor Brian Conway, from Maynooth University, were direct participants in this edition of Twinning Arqus 2.0.