Over 200 scientists are calling to strengthen the African research capacities in environmental sciences, voicing their support for the joint initiative of The Guild and the African Research Universities Alliance (ARUA). The signatories emphasise the importance of safeguarding biodiversity and Africa’s natural resources, and highlight the critical role the new generation of African scientists will play on this.
In this issue: highlights from The Guild and ARUA info session on doctoral training opportunities and our virtual seminar with Aarhus University on standards. See also our statements on the ERA governance and Afghanistan as well as opinion pieces from Secretary-General Jan Palmowski on the State of the Union speech, the European strategy for universities, and the Competitiveness Council of 28 September.
On 7 October, the African Research University Alliance (ARUA) and The Guild organised a virtual info session on EU calls focused on funding opportunities for strategic partnerships, collaborative doctoral training and institutional mobility schemes open for researchers and students in African and European universities.
Responding to the Competitiveness Council meeting of 28 September, The Guild reaffirms its support for the draft Council Conclusions in three key areas. The Guild also joins 15 higher education networks in urging the Commission and the member states to include stakeholders in the co-creation and implementation of ERA governance.
Organised by Aarhus University and the Centre for Higher Education Futures (CHEF) on 23 September, The Guild’s second virtual seminar focused on new types of quality standards needed to address new educational challenges: standards that work for students, academics and policy-makers.
The European Strategy for Universities and The Commission’s initiative to reform the research assessment system were among the key topics discussed at The Guild’s Vice-Presidents’ meeting on 9 September.
The Guild joins 50 scholarly organisations in urging European governments and EU institutions to take immediate action and provide help for scholars, researchers, students, and civil society actors in Afghanistan.
In 2020-2021, The Guild network grew by one new member, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, the most highly ranked university on the Iberian Peninsula. Amidst the changes the pandemic has brought, the Guild’s Presidents reflected the key trends and challenges facing Europe’s universities in the coming decade.
The African Research Initiative for Scientific Excellence (ARISE) programme is currently open for applications. The Guild, together with the African Research Universities Alliance (ARUA), organised a webinar on 13 July to support and provide information for the researchers applying for the novel programme.
The Guild Summer School, hosted by the University of Glasgow, is taking place on 5-9 July. Bringing together almost fifty PhD candidates from multiple disciplines and from across Europe, this year’s Summer School zooms in on research communication.
Organised together with the University of Warwick, The Guild’s virtual seminar explored the potential of lifelong learning models, as representatives from European University alliances, the European Commission and EdTech providers debated the concrete benefits and challenges of flexible learning and micro-credentials. The seminar also provided a timely contribution to the European Commission’s public consultation on micro-credentials for lifelong learning and employability which is open until 13 July.
The Guild has issued its first newsletter, including the latest statements on academic freedom, European Research Area and the European Universities initiative as well as highlights from The Guild General Assembly meeting with Commissioner Gabriel and the launch of our third Insight Paper.
The Guild voices its concerns regarding the existing regulatory frameworks on health data which are putting medical research in Europe under a threat. Access to a large volume and diverse range of data is crucial for the improvement of diagnostic techniques and treatments, and for preventive and health strategies.
National Rectors’ Conferences, in cooperation with the European University Association, unite in calling for a European long-term commitment to strengthen the research excellence of African universities through ‘Clusters of Excellence’. This research capacity is essential, they argue, for the African Union’s Agenda 2063 to be realised.
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.