As a core principle of the EU, academic freedom must be protected vigorously and decisively by the European Commission and all EU institutions. The Guild urges for the creation of a European Ombudsperson for the defence and support of academic freedom.
At the Guild’s General Assembly, convened on 8 June 2021, Presidents discussed how to strengthen universities through the European Research Area with Commissioner Mariya Gabriel.
The Guild, together with European Science, Technology and Innovation organisations, calls for a full association of Switzerland to Horizon Europe.
The Guild launched its third Insight Paper on 4 June 2021, bringing together representatives from academia, the European Commission, and university associations to discuss how higher education can embrace the digital transformation that is sweeping through the sector.
Higher education across Europe needs to cut red tape, engage with lifelong learning, and accelerate pedagogic innovation in a sustainable way to enable students to receive strong research-led education and develop relevant skills for the 21st century, according to the new Insight Paper published by The Guild of European Research-Intensive Universities.
The Guild joins other groups of research-intensive universities in Europe in voicing its concern regarding proposals to restrict the UK’s, Switzerland’s and potentially other countries’ access to parts of Horizon Europe.
In 2021, Universitat Pompeu Fabra joined The Guild as its twenty-first member. The Guild interviewed Rector Casals about the university, its vision for the future, and its passion for strengthening the pursuit of knowledge.
The Guild’s Vice-Presidents gathered on 8 January to discuss priorities for the new European Research Area (ERA) whilst welcoming the network’s 21st member: Pompeu Fabra University. Alongside academia-industry collaboration and promoting the diversity of university staff, topics such as Brexit and foreign interference were also part of the highly-attended meeting.
Just three decades old, Pompeu Fabra University (UPF) has swiftly conquered a notable position among the best universities in Europe and the world. By welcoming UPF as its twenty-first member, The Guild reiterates a commitment to representing some of Europe’s leading academic institutions, its students and researchers, in a comprehensive and thoughtful manner.