The General Assembly of The Guild was organised on the occasion of the 410th anniversary of the University of Groningen. It was an opportunity to connect with the university’s most important international partners during the Strategic Partner Forum. An inspirational keynote on impact was delivered by Nobel prize winner Ben Feringa, Jacobus van 't Hoff Distinguished Professor of Molecular Sciences at the University of Groningen, followed by discussions on how to structurally organise interdisciplinarity at universities in order to serve society.
On the second day of the General Assembly, The Guild’s Presidents had the pleasure to welcome Manuel Heitor, Chair of the expert group on the interim evaluation of Horizon Europe and former Portuguese Minister of Science, Technology and Higher Education. The discussion focused on how the next framework programme for research and innovation (FP10) should be structured to further strengthen Europe's scientific excellence, while addressing major societal challenges more effectively. Presidents reiterated their call to include and highlight the roles of universities in discussions on EU R&I policy. As multifaceted institutions their crucial contribution to Europe's competitiveness and resilience must be fully recognised, hence the need to empower them via the framework and other EU programmes. The Presidents restated their call for an ambitious and stable budget for FP10 and welcomed that the Council conclusions on the ex-post evaluation of Horizon Europe and future outlook adopted on the same day also underlines this point.
Next on the agenda, Presidents discussed the universities’ role in developing the skills set to support the twin digital and green transition and build Europe’s resilience. They highlighted the growing importance of critical thinking skills in an increasingly digitalised society. The Presidents also emphasized the significance of skills that contribute to a robust democracy.
Presidents continued the meeting with a timely discussion on research security and dual-use research applications. Earlier this year, The Guild welcomed the opportunity to co-develop Europe’s approach to research security by providing recommendations. With the Competitiveness Council adopting a recommendation on enhancing research security, The Guild looks forward to engaging with national authorities and the European Commission to co-create a culture of responsible internationalisation.
As one of the University of Groningen’s Strategic Partners and as a partner in the #AfricaEuropeCoRE initiative, Wim de Villiers, Rector and Vice-Chancellor of Stellenbosch University, joined the General Assembly to provide insights into building equitable partnerships; stressing the importance of diversifying sources of funding, developing support networks within Africa and promoting non-academic careers to PhD holders.
The Guild elects a new Chair and Board member
At the General Assembly, The Guild said farewell to current Chair of the Board, Svein Stølen, Rector of the University of Oslo. Presidents elected former Board member Anders Hagfeldt, Vice-Chancellor of Uppsala University as the new Chair and Virginia Richter, Rector-elect of the University of Bern as new Board member. Thus, they will be joining our current Board members: Rachel Sandison, Vice-Principal of the University of Glasgow, Toomas Asser, Rector of the University of Tartu and Daniel David, Rector of Babeș-Bolyai University.
Anders Hagfeldt, Vice-Chancellor of Uppsala University said: “I am honoured and grateful for the opportunity to lead the Guild’s board during such a pivotal time. The coming years will bring significant debates on new EU rules and programs, which could profoundly impact the conditions for research-intensive universities. The Guild and its members will continue to champion fundamental principles such as academic freedom, institutional autonomy, and the critical role of fundamental research.”
Virginia Richter, Rector-elect of the University of Bern said: “The Guild is an important voice that speaks up on behalf of independent research. By joining the board, I want to contribute to strengthening universities’ autonomy, and to keep our core business at the centre of higher education policies: curiosity-driven research. In addition, representing a university from a non-EU country, my participation reflects the diversity of The Guild’s members that spans the entirety of Europe.”
30 May 2024
Cover image and images in the slideshow: © University of Groningen