Ana Duplava is the new Policy and Project Officer of EURASHE. Get to know her better through this interview, where she shares her views about EURASHE, inspirations, and interests.
Hello Ana, could you please introduce yourself to the EURASHE community? Who are you?
Thank you! I am Ana, I have been working for a while on European and Higher Education (HE) policies. I started my journey at the grassroots level, within a local student union, and then I joined the Romanian National Students’ Union (ANOSR) as Educational Vice-President. Later, I joined the European Parliament (EP) as a trainee and then as a Policy Advisor for the Chair of the EMPL Committee.
Born in a small Moldovan village to an engineer and a teacher, I have always been fascinated by people and the world around me. Growing up in a young democracy and witnessing how societies evolve, I wanted to understand and learn how we can shape the world we live in. This motivation brings me here, where I hope to invest my expertise in policy development, higher education policy and quality assurance in achieving EURASHE’s mission.
How do you think your past experiences will support you in your new role?
I built a solid background in policy analysis and development. In the European Parliament, I drafted policy reports, briefs and amendments on topics such as skills for the twin transitions, employment and the European Child Guarantee. Closely collaborating with EP colleagues and European and national stakeholders, I contributed to the legislative work of the EMPL Committee under its Chairship and addressed key priorities like employment and skills development.
As the ANOSR’s Educational Vice-President, we scrutinized and developed HE policies, especially concerning HE funding and regulation, Quality Assurance, and inclusion. I had the chance to work on large-scale projects, moderate working groups, and practice building consensus. I hope my experience in grassroots advocacy, and my deep understanding of European institutions will be beneficial for shaping policies at EURASHE.
Additionally, having studied in Moldova, Romania and Portugal, I experienced the unique challenges and solutions within different educational systems. It brought me insights into how policies can be adapted to local contexts while following broader European goals.
Now that you’ve spent a few days at EURASHE, what are your first impressions of the association?
I believe EURASHE is playing an important role in bridging education at local and European levels. The constant dialogue and feedback channels are the basis of a strong democracy and a strong legislative process, and EURASHE is at the centre of this exchange. Additionally, EURASHE is connecting educational actors, regional authorities and companies around similar issues and can build and implement comprehensive solutions.
What are the key objectives you hope to achieve at EURASHE?
I will be working on representing the voice of EURASHE’s members in European policy discussions, especially on skills development, lifelong learning, inclusion and access to education. Moreover, to prepare people for current and future challenges, I will work on expanding the cooperation between higher education institutions and the labour market through expanding vocational training partnerships and improving communication channels.
What are the initial projects or tasks you are focusing on?
I will focus on projects aimed at skills development, HEI and the labour market collaboration, and promoting inclusion, namely on projects HUCO Labs and EngageAll. Also, I will ensure that EURASHE is at the centre of policymaking and policy implementation in these areas.
In your view, what should be EURASHE’s top priorities moving forward?
The current EURASHE priorities are well-placed and should remain its focus while moving forward. EURASHE should continue serving as a bridge between HEI, the Bologna process and European institutions, addressing challenges associated with policy implementation, funding mechanisms, regulatory gaps and skills shortages.
Additionally, to address broader societal challenges such as digital transformation and sustainability, EURASHE should continue fostering partnerships with and between diverse stakeholders, both inside and outside higher education.
What do you see as the main challenges facing Higher Education Institutions today?
HEIs face challenges in keeping pace with technological change and rapidly evolving labour market needs, particularly with a rising demand for advanced digital skills. Resource constraints represent another challenge, which stifle innovation and impact broader access to education.
Who or what is your greatest source of inspiration?
For me the greatest source of inspiration is witnessing the dedication and sacrifices of educators/mentors/teachers, their continuous commitment to sculpting their students’ knowledge and motivation, their commitment to improving society through education, and their resilience in the face of challenges.
I deeply believe that “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” (N. Mandela).
What does a perfect day look like to you?
A perfect day would result in positive impact, even in small proportions, it adds to significant changes, for example having a meaningful exchange with our members and partners on innovative solutions and good practices. In other words, a perfect day would be a busy day spent with great value.
If you could make one wish, what would it be?
Being able to teleport, preferably to sunnier locations, wink wink Brussels.
What is a song that resonates with you?
“Lean on Me” by Bill Withers cherishes the importance of community, compassion and mutual support, principles that I follow and value in my work.
