In the context of an intensifying revolt against Nicaragua’s president Daniel Ortega, the European University Association (EUA) is particularly troubled by assaults launched by security forces on the campus of the National Autonomous University of Nicaragua (UNAN) in Managua. Several students are reported to have been killed and many injured in these attacks. Observers state that “the Nicaraguan government [has] adopted a strategy of violent repression not seen in the country for years” (Amnesty International, 29 May 2018).

EUA has expressed its concerns several times regarding the measures taken in Turkey since the attempted coup in July 2016 and continues to monitor the evolution of the political situation and its impact on the higher education sector.

EUA and 12 other university associations presented a series of amendments to the draft proposal of the European Commission, published on 7 June 2018, establishing the Ninth Framework Programme - Horizon Europe. In addition to the amendments submitted jointly, EUA has put forward further propositions, with a view to improving the EU research funding programme, make it simpler and enhance its efficiency.

On 1-4 July about 30 university presidents from Canada, Europe and the United States convened at the European University Institute (EUI) in Fiesole, Florence, for the 15th Transatlantic Dialogue. This event addressed the timely theme “Higher education and its communities: openness, democracy and engagement”.

The USTREAM project has successfully completed a series of three national policy dialogue events, organised jointly with local partners in May-June 2018. Each event was tailored to the specific needs of and the current developments in the higher education sector in three host countries – Latvia, Austria and Lithuania. The events brought together major stakeholders involved in the debate on the key higher education policy issues. Presentations from the three events can be consulted on the USTREAM webpage.

The university community will meet in Barcelona on 18-19 October to discuss the latest trends in funding and governance. The full programme, with confirmed speakers, has now been released.