The Historical Archives of the European Union (HAEU) has formalised an ongoing collaboration with the University of Haute-Alsace through a partnership agreement signed in January. The agreement builds on previous cooperation, through which students from the master’s programme in History, Civilisations and Heritage – Contemporary Archival Management (GCA) at the University of Haute-Alsace (UHA) have joined the Archives as trainees.
By establishing a formal framework, the partnership reinforces shared commitments to professional training, academic exchange, and the development of archival expertise at a European level. It also strengthens opportunities for students to gain hands-on experience in an international research environment; to expand their professional networks; and to gain a better understanding of the challenges associated with international archives management, all the while contributing to the work of the Archives.
“The agreement with the Historical Archives of the European Union is the official outcome of a successful and fruitful collaboration already underway between the Archives and the masters’ programme in History and Archival Science at the University of Haute-Alsace,” said Professor Luciano Piffanelli, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for International Relations and Director of the MA Programme in History and Archival Science at the Université de Haute-Alsace. “It is grounded in a professional and personal relationship founded on mutual trust, intellectual exchange, and a shared commitment to cultural dialogue… [it] enhances the master's programme by boosting its visibility and prestige, integrating it into European networks, offering interesting professional opportunities, and both confirming and expanding its highly professionalizing character. I offer heartfelt thanks to both my students and the HAEU team for their commitment.”
Welcoming the agreement, the Director of the HAEU Dieter Schlenker highlighted its value for both institutions: “This partnership formalises a dynamic relationship that has already brought highly motivated and well-prepared students into our teams. It opens new avenues for collaboration in research, training, and outreach, while strengthening our shared role in shaping the future of European archival studies.”
Nicolas Kernel, a recent MA graduate from UHA, and Corentin Penot, now an MA student, are currently in training with archivists at the HAEU. Enthusiastic about being among the first trainees to benefit from the collaboration, they emphasise the relevance of their degree programme to the Archives’ role in preserving the history of European integration.
“We are convinced the agreement will significantly strengthen academic links with the EU Historical Archives by promoting training in contemporary archival management. Mulhouse and the UHA embody a transnational history that is particularly valuable to European integration. We will follow the future of this collaboration with great interest and extend our warmest thanks to everyone who has made it possible,” they expressed in a joint comment.