Honouring doctoral researchers committed to European values

On 20 October 2025, four doctoral researchers from the University of Luxembourg were officially presented with the Pierre Werner Scholarship during a ceremony hosted by the Faculty of Law, Economics and Finance (FDEF). The event took place in the presence of Luc Frieden, Prime Minister of Luxembourg and President of the Fondation Pierre Werner, under the aegis of the Fondation de Luxembourg.

The 2025 laureates – Donatella Casaburo, Alexandre Mortelette, Javier Sanchez Bachiller, and Susana Isabel Teixeira de Matos Rosa – were selected for their outstanding academic achievements, civic engagement, and innovative research reflecting the values and vision of Pierre Werner.

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^{2025 Pierre Werner Scholarship Laureates with Prof. Marie-Hélène Jobin, Vice-Rector for Partnerships and International Relations, and Tonika Hirdman, Director of the Fondation de Luxembourg}

Shared European vision

Opening the ceremony, Prof. Marie-Hélène Jobin, Vice-Rector for Partnerships and International Relations, welcomed participants and thanked the Fondation Pierre Werner and the Fondation de Luxembourg for their continued support of the University’s doctoral community. She highlighted that the University of Luxembourg is honored to be associated with the Fondation and expressed gratitude for the scholarship fund established in 2017 to support brilliant students and researchers who carry forward Pierre Werner’s thinking. Prof. Jobin described the laureates as committed ambassadors, spreading the ideas and influence of Pierre Werner throughout Europe and around the world.

_{Prof. Marie-Hélène Jobin, Vice-Rector for Partnerships and International Relations at the University of Luxembourg}

Prime Minister Luc Frieden congratulated the scholars and spoke on Europe’s current challenges and societal transformations. “Among all these changes, the answer for me is clear: we need to strengthen Europe,” Mr Frieden said. “We must ensure that together we uphold certain values and achieve shared objectives – peace, stability, prosperity, human rights. Alone, no country can achieve this; together, we can.”

^{Prime Minister Luc Frieden, President of the Fondation Pierre Werner}

Research with impact

^{Prime Minister Luc Frieden, President of the Fondation Pierre Werner}

Addressing the laureates, Mr Frieden highlighted the relevance of their research topics – economic migration, hybrid threats, the green transition, and human rights – as “the topics of tomorrow,” all of which require a shared European perspective. “Together, we are stronger,” he concluded, encouraging the scholars to continue their research on European issues and to live the spirit of Pierre Werner and the European ideas.

Following the introductions, each laureate briefly presented their research. Susana Teixeira de Matos Rosa is researching central banking and environmental sustainability. Alexandre Mortelette examines the role of civil society in shaping human rights standards. Javier Sanchez Bachiller investigates the economics of international migration, while Donatella Casaburo analyses how EU law can adapt to emerging security threats.

^{Susana Teixeira de Matos Rosa presenting her doctoral research}

After the presentations, Prof. Vincent Anesi, Acting Head of the Department of Economics and Management, concluded the ceremony by expressing his gratitude to the Fondation Pierre Werner and the Fondation de Luxembourg for their continued support, as well as to the jury members for their contribution. He commended the laureates’ work, noting that the theme of European integration remains as relevant as ever. Linking the occasion to the 40th anniversary of the Schengen Agreement, he celebrated Europe’s freedom of movement and, despite current challenges and uncertainties, expressed optimism, drawing hope from the laureates’ forward-thinking research and their commitment to European values.

The event concluded with a cocktail reception, offering an opportunity for exchange between the laureates, members of the Pierre Werner family, the Prime Minister, and other guests.

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^{Cocktail reception}

The Faculty of Law, Economics and Finance congratulates this year’s Pierre Werner Scholarship recipients and extends its sincere appreciation to Prime Minister Luc Frieden for his presence and support, as well as to the Fondation Pierre Werner, under the aegis of the Fondation de Luxembourg, for their commitment to promoting academic excellence and advancing the values of European cooperation and integration.

About the Scholarship

The annual scholarship, awarded by the Fondation Pierre Werner, under the aegis of the Fondation de Luxembourg, is given to outstanding postgraduate students pursuing a PhD at the University of Luxembourg in the fields of either law, economics, finance, or political sciences. Inspired by the ideals of Pierre Werner, the Pierre Werner Scholarship fosters European integration. For more information about the scholarship, visit the Fondation de Luxembourg website.