The missions and work of universities in Europe and elsewhere are underpinned by a number of fundamental values. EUA as an Association strongly believes in and works towards upholding these.
The Association’s activities include monitoring and promoting institutional autonomy as a core principle of university governance and advocating academic freedom as the single most important basis for meaningful academic research and teaching. EUA has a strong track record in standing up for freedom of expression and the protection of higher education and its communities from intimidation and attack.
In addition, the Association supports universities in nurturing a culture of openness, tolerance and dialogue by promoting diversity among students and staff, integrating refugees into their communities and acting as models of healthy democratic communities. EUA also encourages its members to fulfil their civic role by contributing to social and political debates, addressing societal challenges and contributing to sustainable development. EUA also focuses on the responsible and proper conduct of scientific work, as upholding research integrity and ethics is key to strengthening universities’ credibility and consolidating their role in society.
EUA works together with its members and a variety of partners, including Scholars at Risk, the Magna Charta Observatory and the International Association of Universities (IAU), to ensure that these values are respected and guide universities’ activities.
This publication focuses on geopolitical changes, digitalisation and artificial intelligence, as well as the course of democracy, and how they may impact Europe’s universities. It outlines possible scenarios for future developments, as well as pathways for universities to pursue common goals.
This seminal document is the result of extensive consultations and deliberations with EUA members and partners over a six-month period in 2020. It sets out a vision of resilient and effective universities, serving Europe’s societies towards a better future.
The European University Association has urged the European Commission to be mindful of not letting the notion of protection stand in the way of dialogue between a multitude of actors, both within European societies and globally. In EUA’s input to a European Commission public consultation on the...
view moreIn accordance with a December 2022 Council of the European Union decision to protect “the Union budget against breaches of the principles of the rule of law in Hungary”, the European Commission has ceased to enter into legal commitments with public interest trusts under Hungarian law and the...
view moreThe European University Association (EUA) has joined the “Improving Research Ethics Expertise and Competencies to Ensure Reliability and Trust in Science” (iRECS) project. The aim of this initiative, funded by the Horizon Europe programme, is to improve the quality of ethics review processes...
view moreFor over two years, Patrick Zaki, a student at the University of Bologna and human rights defender, has been detained and awaiting trial for publishing an article that refers to discrimination against Coptic Christians in Egypt. The European Students’ Union (ESU), the European University...
view moreSince Iranian-Swedish researcher Dr Amadreza Djalili was sentenced to death in Iran in 2017, the European University Association has repeatedly urged for his release. Amid reports that Iranian authorities intend to proceed with the execution of Dr Djalili in the coming weeks, EUA renews its call...
view moreThe workshop “Citizens and science as a tool to strengthen democracy” is organised in partnership with the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation within the Italian chairmanship of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe. The event will take place at...
view moreInternational Women’s Day provides an opportunity to reflect on the gender disparities in university leadership. This article, presenting the latest data and trends in female leadership in EUA member universities in 48 countries*, is part of EUA’s contribution to this important debate. More...
view moreOn the 16th of November 2021, from 10:00 AM, the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), the Norwegian Directorate for Higher Education and Skills (HK-dir) and the Polish National Agency for Academic Exchange (NAWA) are organising a joint online event titled “Defending academic freedom by...
view moreThis conference is organised by STOA (Panel of the Future of Science and Technology) in collaboration with EUA on 9 November 2021, at 15.00 CET. It seeks to clarify the definition of academic freedom, to frame the challenges it faces within the context of the EU and to identify options for...
view moreThe Gender Equality (GE) Academy project is conducting a survey to gauge demand for a Pan-European gender trainers network. The survey is targeting: (i)research institutions managers, (ii) HR staff, (iii) Equal Opportunities or E&D Officers, and (iv) Academic or Technical staff from...
view moreThe Global Task Force (GTF) on Third Country Education Pathways has released a Statement of the Afghan Students Crisis. EUA is among the GTF members and has endorsed the statement. The Global Task Force would like to call further attention to the plight of Afghan refugee youth, especially young...
view moreHigher education institutions are key actors in the transition towards carbon neutrality and...
read moreThe Inspireurope project will host an information session for higher education institutions and other employers across Europe on supporting scholars from Afghanistan. This 90-minute webinar will take place at 15:00 CEST on 30 September 2021. In response to the current crisis, many higher...
view moreEUA along with more than 50 higher education networks, associations and organisations has joined Scholars At Risk to urge European governments and EU institutions to take immediate action to secure the lives and careers of Afghanistan’s scholars, students, and civil society...
view moreThe European Union under the “EU4Belarus: Solidarity with the people of Belarus” programme is launching a call for proposals for EU4Belarus – SALT (Support for Advanced Learning and Training) scholarships for Belarusian students who are already studying at universities in Lithuania,...
view moreRUS, Rete delle Università per lo Sviluppo sostenible, in partnership with the Italian Pavilion at EXPO 2020 DUBAI and the Italian Alliance for Sustainable Development (ASviS), organise the Forum "Universities in action for the UN 2030 Agenda" on 18 January 2022. The Forum will be on hybrid...
view moreThe Council of Europe Education Department has opened a call for best practices in promoting academic integrity in higher education institutions in Europe, under its new Best Practice Programme. The deadline is 20 August 2021. The call focuses on solutions found to promote academic integrity...
view moreThe European Research Area and Innovation Committee (ERAC) “triangle task force” has recently published the guideline paper “Research evaluation in a context of Open Science and gender equality”. The ERAC “triangle task force” combines combines forces of the ERAC group on open science, gender and...
view moreThe Norwegian section of Scholars at Risk organises the event “Ten Years of Protecting Academic Freedom - What will the Future Bring?” to celebrate their 10th anniversary. The event will take place on 21 September from 12.00 to 16.00 CEST at the Domus Academica, Gamle festsal in Oslo, Norway....
view moreThe Alexander von Humboldt Foundation opened the applications period for the 10th call of the Philipp Schwartz Initiative. The Philipp Schwartz Initiative allows researchers who are no longer able to work in their own countries because they are threatened or persecuted to continue their...
view moreGreek higher education institutions are taking a step further to defend academic freedom and the rights of scholars worldwide. The Aristotle University of Thessaloniki has recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the international Scholars at Risk network (SAR), aimed at enhancing their...
view moreScholars at Risk (SAR) is pleased to announce a call for applications for remote research fellowships for early career researchers studying, writing and/or teaching on academic freedom and/or related higher education values, made possible by the generous support and partnership of the Andrew W....
view moreThe European University Association (EUA), the European Students’ Union (ESU) and Scholars at Risk (SAR) join together to condemn the criminalisation of students and academics in Belarus. They call on the Belarusian authorities to protect and promote academic freedom and related fundamental rights...
view moreScholars at Risk – Ireland and ALLEA, the European Federation of Academies of Sciences and Humanities, organise the online conference “Academic freedom and intellectual dissent” on 8 June, from 15.00 to 20.00 CEST. This conference will focus on the importance of intellectual dissent and...
view moreEuroScience, the European Association for the Advancement of Science and Technology, organises the 1st EuroScience Policy Forum “Opening new pathways to knowledge and the future” on 29 and 30 June. Registrations are now open and free of charge to anyone interested. The EuroScience Policy Forum...
view moreThe Magna Charta Observatory (MCO) will celebrate the 32nd anniversary of the Magna Charta Universitatum on 16 and 17 June, and will launch the new Magna Charta, the MCU2020, which makes the charter more global and more in line with today's world. EUA Secretary General Amanda Crowfoot will be...
view moreEUA member University of Vechta opened the nominations period for the annual Höffmann Academic Award for Intercultural Competence, sponsored by the Vechta-based travel company Höffmann Reisen GmbH. Deadline is 31 August. The Höffmann Academic Award is part of a long-term programme aimed at...
view moreThe Education Department of the Council of Europe launched the application period for Best Practice Programme in Promoting Academic Integrity during Covid-19, open until 20 August. The Best Practice Programme in Promoting Academic Integrity is in line with the ETINED mission, specifically...
view moreEUROSTUDENT organises the EUROSTUDENT VII final conference online on 18 and 19 May 2021. Registrations are now open and free of charge. The conference serves to showcase and discuss the results and insights achieved through EUROSTUDENT by bringing together the involved stakeholders,...
view moreNESET, the Network of Experts working on the Social dimension of Education and Training, has published the report “The impact of COVID-19 on higher education: a review of emerging evidence”. The report provides a synthesis of the emerging evidence on what impact Covid-19 has on three specific...
view moreThe German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) offers the scholarship programme “Hilde Domin Programme” to support students and doctoral candidates from across the globe who are at risk of being formally or de facto denied educational or other rights in their country of origin. The application portal...
view moreMagna Charta Observatory and the Global Student Forum organise the free webinar “Involving students effectively – what happens and how it improves universities: international perspectives” on 19 April from 17.00 to 18.30 CEST. Registrations close on 17 April. The webinar looks at the student...
view moreGhent University’s Research Department organises a MSCA Master Class for incoming postdocs on 20 – 21 May 2021. Applications are open until 19 April. The training programme will take place on 20 and 21 May, from 9.30 to 16.00, and focuses on various aspects of the research proposal: purpose of...
view moreScholars At Risk (SAR) organises the webinar “Free Universities: Putting the Academic Freedom Index Into Action Through the UN Human Rights Systems” on 15 April from 15.00 to 16.00 CEST. The webinar will present the Academic Freedom Index (AFi), which draws on contributions by some 2,000...
view moreSustainable learning and teaching was at the centre of the 2020 EUA Learning & Teaching Thematic Peer Groups, which have wrapped up their cycle of work. Focusing specific issues under this broader topic, the groups have released their reports covering: Approaches in learning and teaching...
view moreThe UK Mission to the EU, the League of European Research Universities (LERU) and the European University Association (EUA) organise the webinar “From Diversity STEMs Success: Promoting Gamechangers in Research and Innovation” on 23 March from 11:00 to 12:00 CEST. As part of the UK G7...
view moreThe International Association of Universities (IAU) launched the second IAU global survey on the impact of Covid-19 on higher education, open until 15 April. The survey is available in English, French, and Spanish. Aimed at gathering substantial data on the ways global higher education systems...
view moreTento kľúčový dokument je výsledkom rozsiahlych konzultácií a rokovaní s členmi a partnermi EUA...
read moreThe European University Alliance E³UDRES² (Engaged and Entrepreneurial European University as Driver for European Smart and Sustainable Regions) celebrates its official Online Opening Conference “Towards Future Universities for Smart and Sustainable Regions” on 22-23 March 2021, from 13:00 to...
view moreNESET, the Network of Experts working on the Social dimension of Education and Training, has published the report “Community engagement in higher education: trends, practices and policies”. The report found that universities play a crucial role in responding to societal needs, and can further...
view moreInternational Women’s Day, celebrated on 8 March, is an opportunity that EUA has been seizing every year to further raise awareness on gender disparities in universities. In 2021, again, the Association contributes to this important discussion by presenting the latest data on female leadership...
view moreOn 14 February, Frédérique Vidal, French Minister for Higher Education, Research and Innovation, announced plans to order the French research agency (CNRS) to conduct an enquiry into French university research focused on colonialism and race. The aim, according to Vidal, is to identify those...
view moreThe Centre for Excellence in Teaching and Learning (CELT), part of EUA member National University of Ireland Galway (NUI Galway), partnered with its Inclusive Learning project team to organise the online Inclusive Learning in Higher Education Symposium on 7 and 8 April 2021. This two-day...
view moreThe European University Alliance E³UDRES² (Engaged and Entrepreneurial European University as Driver for European Smart and Sustainable Regions) calls for scientific contributions, relevant concepts, inspiring ideas, and innovative approaches for a closer connection between science and higher...
view moreThe School of Human Rights in Turkey, an EU-funded project that started during the state of emergency in Turkey, organises the International Online Conference of Academic Freedom as a Human Right on 14, 15 and 16 December 2020. During the conference, there will be a discussion on the definition...
view moreLumina Foundation published a study entitled “COVID’s Lessons for Global Higher Education: Coping with the Present while Building a More Equitable Future”. The study offers a preliminary assessment of the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on higher education throughout the world, with a special...
view moreThe new European Commission “Action Plan on Integration and Inclusion” frames migrant integration under the overarching theme of “Inclusion for all”. Like the previous plan, there is a strong emphasis on the role of education and training (particularly early education) in the integration of...
view moreRecent months have seen important events regarding academic freedom, both in Europe and globally. There have been violations of democratic and human rights in Belarus, including threats against students and staff of universities – which were widely condemned. Last month, the Court of Justice...
view moreEUA member in Russia, Tomsk Polytechnic University, launched the Urban Greenhouse Challenge: Reforest, an international competition of student projects for innovative greenhouse complexes in urban environment. Registrations are open until 28 February 2021. The competition will run online...
view moreThe Institute for the Development of Education (Croatia), together with 22 partners/associate partners from six EU Member States including EUA, launched the Erasmus+ project SHEFCE – Steering Higher Education for Community Engagement. The project has been launched to support community...
view moreThe Refugee Education Initiatives 2 (REIs 2) consortium organises the online workshop “Recognising Learning and Promoting Inclusion: conversations on access to university in Europe for refugees and displaced people” on 30 October. The workshop is part of the EU-funded REIS2 project and it is...
view moreEUA partner Scholars at Risk (SAR) organises “Free to Think 2020: Responding to Attacks on Higher Education” on 19 – 20 November 2020. The virtual conference marks SAR’s 20th anniversary and the release of the SAR's annual monitoring report, Free to Think 2020. The event will also feature the...
view moreOn 6 October 2020, the Court of Justice of the European Union (ECJ) ruled that the Hungarian government violated EU law in 2017 when it changed its education legislation. The amendments made headlines as they ultimately led the Central European University (CEU), an EUA member, to move most of its...
view moreEUA member in Ukraine Vasyl Stefanyk Precarpathian National University, together with the NGO “Sustainable Development Landmarks”, organise the 1st virtual international conference on sustainable education (SEVIC 2020) on 11 – 13 December 2020. The event SEVIC 2020 encourages scholars and...
view moreThe nominations for the 2020 edition of the UNESCO King Hamad Bin Isa Al-Khalifa Prize for the use of Information and Communication Technologies in education are open until 18 December 2020 (midnight, Paris time). Funded by the Kingdom of Bahrain and established in 2005, the Prize rewards...
view moreInSPIREurope, the initiative to support, promote and integrate researchers at risk in Europe, organises the first InSPIREurope outreach workshop in Thessaloniki, Greece, on 30 September. The event will be organised in hybrid format: online and with face-to-face meetings at the premises of EUA...
view moreTo mark its 75th anniversary in 2020, the United Nations launched a global conversation on how to tackle the challenges we face and build a better future for all. The UN invites European universities to participate in the UN75 Initiative by hosting dialogues and responding to a one-minute...
view moreOn 10 July, Romanian President Klaus Iohannis submitted an appeal to the country’s Constitutional Court regarding an amendment passed by the Parliament that would prohibit gender studies in all education institutions. The Romanian Parliament approved the amendment to the education law on 16 June....
view moreThe European Commission has published the first report of the Eurograduate Pilot Survey, with insights on graduates’ education, skills, careers, mobility, and social outcomes, comparing eight pilot countries. EUA is member of the Eurograduate advisory board. The Eurograduate survey is a one-off...
view moreEUA is embarking on an initiative to develop a vision for Europe’s universities in 2030. This vision by the sector for the sector will serve as inspiration for EUA members, as well as for policy makers and other stakeholders. It will build on EUA’s new strategy, the Association’s long-standing...
view moreIn the context of the coronavirus crisis, the Secretariat of the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) Education Process would like to showcase and disseminate different types of initiatives and measures, with a focus on the inclusion of vulnerable or disadvantaged students in distance education and...
view moreThe 2020 InSPIREurope Stakeholder Forum, originally scheduled to take place at the Collège de France in Paris, will now take place virtually due to the coronavirus pandemic. Registrations are now open to the online event, which is the first of three annual fora taking place over the duration of...
view moreThe Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB) has created a Solidarity Fund in order to provide support for researchers who no longer have the freedom to pursue their research in their home country, where they are threatened due to the content of their scientific work or to the opinions they...
view moreSOS International launched the world’s biggest survey on students’ opinions on sustainability, open from 1 to 31 May 2020 to anyone currently enrolled in a higher education institution. The survey is available in Arabic, Bosnian-Croatian-Montenegrin-Serbian, Danish, Dutch, English,...
view moreInternational Women’s Day, celebrated on 8 March, is a moment to recognise the great achievements that women have made in history, as well as reflect on what still holds them back. Every year, EUA takes the occasion to present the latest data on female leadership among its 800-plus member...
view moreThe final results of the “Curriculum Guidelines 4.0” initiative are now available on the EU Publications: Final Report with detailed guidelines. Brochure with the key highlights. The initiative, launched in January 2018, aims to contribute to increasing the quality and relevance of...
view moreThe Centesimus Annus- Pro Pontifice Foundation (FCAPP) in Vatican City launched the 5th edition of the International "Economy and Society" Award, aimed at promoting the knowledge of the Social Doctrine of the Catholic Church. The Foundation offers:a) a prize worth 20,000 euro for...
view moreThe University of Bologna, an EUA member, has launched a powerful appeal to the European Union and its member states to take prompt action in the case of Patrick George Zaky, a graduate student at the University of Bologna who was arrested at the Cairo airport on 7 February. Zaky had travelled...
view moreEUA partner Scholars at Risk (SAR) released the report Free to Think 2019 analysing 324 attacks on higher education communities in 56 countries between 1 September 2018 and 31 August 2019. The report draws on data from SAR’s Academic Freedom Monitoring Project to identify trends related to...
view moreEUA is gravely concerned by reports of academics still being held in prison for having signed the Academics for Peace petition “We Will not be a Party to this Crime”, which addressed the situation in south eastern Turkey. On 26 July 2019, the General Assembly of the Turkish Constitutional Court...
view moreFor Research Europe, EUA’s Vinciane Gaillard and Stephane Berghmans weigh in on recent efforts to...
read moreCan, and should, quality assurance play a greater role in ensuring that common academic values are...
read moreThe widespread embrace of “university values” is problematic and distracts from the central value...
read moreThe European University Association reflects on how the higher education sector has responded to...
read moreAll universities need more autonomy to be innovative, not only those engaged in the European...
read moreOn the occasion of EUA’s 20th anniversary, Cardiff University President and Vice-Chancellor Colin...
read moreAs we look forward towards a future of “Universities without walls”, this article by EUA President...
read moreWhat will the future hold in terms of geopolitics, digitalisation and democracy? How will this...
read moreAs universities strive to realise human potential, preserve the planet and promote health and...
read moreA new EUA study reveals that higher education institutions in Europe are highly engaged in...
read moreSustainability is an important issue for universities. At Trinity College Dublin, the current...
read moreThe messages from science are clear: The coming decade will be crucial in combating the climate...
read moreThe preservation and development of culture is part of the mission of universities. This article,...
read moreThe Academic Freedom Index provides a robust assessment of academic freedom levels worldwide that...
read moreOn the occasion of EUA’s 20th anniversary, President Michael Murphy and long-time senior expert...
read moreStudents from disadvantaged and marginalised backgrounds still struggle to participate in higher...
read moreEurope’s universities are upping their game for the new decade, to meet the challenges of our...
read moreAs the world faces complex challenges, universities are taking the time to reflect about the...
read moreThe Covid-19 pandemic presents new challenges for inclusive teaching. This article shares the...
read moreThe radical digitalisation of higher education due to the Covid-19 crisis offers an opportunity to...
read moreAs reflected by the European Green Deal, the environmental revolution is likely the main challenge...
read moreProviding students with the skills for multidisciplinary collaboration and entrepreneurship...
read moreThe Bologna Follow-up Group has developed a new strategic document that defines ten principles and...
read moreThe coronavirus pandemic demonstrates the renewed importance of universities’ civic engagement,...
read moreRefugees bring with them skills, qualifications and experience – including in the medical field....
read moreGrants are important for researchers’ careers and only the best applicants receive them. So, what...
read moreA new year brings new opportunities to address global challenges. EUA President Michael Murphy...
read moreThe support for student engagement in volunteering, civic, cultural, associative and solidarity...
read moreThe Global Convention on Recognition will provide a strong instrument for higher education...
read moreUniversity autonomy and academic freedom should be more than topics of proclamation and...
read moreJón Atli Benediktsson, Rector of the University of Iceland, reflects on the future and why...
read moreUniversities are based on and guided by values. It is vital that each institution declares them as...
read moreHow can universities use the renewed attention to values to their advantage? A key step is to move...
read moreTo remain world leaders in research and innovation, Europe’s universities need more supportive...
read moreAcademic freedom is the latest of the many victims on Hungary’s path towards an illiberal state,...
read moreThe Hungarian government’s clampdown on gender studies and research into migration sets a...
read moreWe live in times of uncertainty and accelerated change. Pressure on political, economic and social systems is further increasing as we move from the pandemic...
Read moreThe past decade has seen an erosion of public debate, a radicalisation of parts of society and the spread of misinformation. Such phenomena often occur and...
Read moreAccording to EUA’s “Universities without walls – A vision for 2030”, “affirming the civic role of universities will be an increasingly important part of...
Read moreIn recent years, many countries have gone through a large-scale, societal reflection on democratic values. For universities, this development implies that...
Read moreThe 2021 EUA Annual Conference “Universities 2030: From vision to reality” took place online on 22-23 April. Against the backdrop of the ongoing climate...
Read moreEUA is pleased to invite university leaders from its membership to an online discussion on the impact of changing geopolitics on their institutions. Based on...
Read more3 November 2020, 14:00 - 15:00 CET. As part of its contribution to the Inspireurope project, EUA launched the report “Researchers at Risk: Mapping Europe’s...
Read moreEUA organised a focus group for university practitioners across Europe to discuss how to articulate and implement strategies for public engagement on 19...
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