Rui Branco Lopes

Coimbra Health School - Polytechnic of Coimbra, Portugal

Rui Branco Lopes is the Head of the International Relations Office at Coimbra Health School, part of the Polytechnic University of Coimbra. With a rich background in languages, communication, and international relations, Rui holds a degree in Modern Languages and Literature (English and German studies) from the University of Coimbra and a Master’s in Business Communication from Instituto Superior Miguel Torga.

Rui began his professional journey as an English teacher before transitioning to the Portuguese Army, where he served as an officer for several years, specializing in translation, public communication, and civil-military affairs. During his military service, he participated in UN Peacekeeping Operations in East Timor and NATO missions in Bosnia and Herzegovina, earning several commendations.

Since moving to Coimbra Health School, Rui has led international exchange programs and fostered global cooperation, particularly through Erasmus+. He has also been actively involved with the EAIE, serving in various capacities including as a steering group member of the European Collaborative Programmes Expert Community and recently elected to the European-funded programmes Thematic Committee. Rui has demonstrated his commitment to effective governance and institutional development by previously representing non-teaching staff at the General Council of the Polytechnic University of Coimbra.

: ruibrancolopes/

Juan Rayon Gonzalez

University of Oviedo, Spain

Juan is the strategic manager of the INGENIUM European Universities alliance, led by the university of Oviedo in northern Spain. Before joining the alliance he worked in the policy  team of the higher education unit of the European Commission, with a focus on the joint European degree and quality assurance. Juan was also president of Erasmus Student Network international and ESN Spain, where he was responsible for the overall policy and advocacy coordination of the organisations. Juan led the involvement of ESN in the European Universities initiative, and collaborated with several alliances as associate partner. He has a law degree and is specialised in European law and higher education policy.

: jrayongonzalez/

Nikola Bakaric

University of Applied Sciences Velika Gorica, Croatia

Nikola Bakarić is the Erasmus+ Coordinator and a lecturer at the University of Applied Sciences Velika Gorica, Croatia. He graduated in English language and literature and information science at the University of Zagreb and is currently pursuing a PhD in information science at the same institution.

Nikola has been involved in international mobility and EU funded programmes for over 13 years, working in public and private Croatian higher education institutions. He worked as an international relations officer and later head of the international relations office at the Faculty of Transport and Traffic Sciences, University of Zagreb after which he moved to the University of Applied Sciences Velika Gorica. There he is currently living the double life of an Erasmus+ coordinator and a lecturer in IT courses. 

Apart from being involved in all things Erasmus+, Nikola is a member of the University Council, participates in conference organisation and serves as a consulting editor for the University's scientific journal.

: nbakaric/

Antoaneta Irikova

European Commission, Belgium

Antoaneta Irikova is Policy Assistant in the International cooperation unit of the Directorate General for Education, Youth, Sport and Culture (DG EAC), in the European Commission, where she focuses on Erasmus+ KA1 International credit mobility and fostering policy and programme cooperation with the Western Balkans region. Antoaneta holds a BA degree in Political sciences and MA degree in European studies. Before joining the European Commission, she worked in a consultancy elaborating project proposals for EU-funded programmes.

: antoaneta-irikova-01698994/