The RUN-EU launch event was hosted by Ambassador Pedro Lourtie, Deputy Permanent Representative of Portugal to the EU. It was attended by around 70 representatives from the eight higher education institutions, but also the Portuguese Secretary of State for Science, Technology and Higher Education, João Sobrinho Teixeira, by the diplomatic representatives from Ireland, Hungary, Finland, the Netherlands and Austria, and also had the participation of some accredited assistants of the European Parliament.

About 24 student representatives, coming from all member universities, also played a leading role in this event, with a presentation in which they shared their vision for the creation of the new European university.

During the launch ceremony, the presidents, rectors and official representatives of the eight RUN-EU alliance members signed a mission agreement that will govern the creation of the consortium and establish the lines of action of this alliance.