UofG joins European university alliance
Published: 1 February 2021
The University has secured associate member status of CIVIS, an alliance of eight leading research HEIs across Europe
The University has become an associate member of CIVIS, an alliance of eight leading research higher education institutions across Europe.
Among other shared objectives, CIVIS member universities aim to work together to boost international student exchanges, contribute to European civil society and increase cooperation with institutions in Africa.
The alliance aims to tackle the big social challenges of the 21st century, to carry out relevant research, and to work responsibly and sustainably with an eye to the future.
It focuses specifically on five thematic areas:
- health
- cities, territories and mobilities
- climate, environment and energy
- digital and technological transformation
- society, cultures and heritage.
“Like the CIVIS alliance, the University of Glasgow is a collaboration-oriented civic university with its roots in our local community, but with global ambitions and impact,” says Principal Professor Sir Anton Muscatelli. “We are an institution which has always been, and will always remain, proudly European. We celebrate our international outlook, while committing to social transformation and civic engagement at a local level.”
“Being part of the CIVIS European University alliance means growing our international collaborations and partnerships in Europe, providing many opportunities for both staff and students to engage,” says Rachel Sandison, Vice-Principal, External Relations. “In this post-Brexit landscape, Glasgow continues to consider itself a proudly European institution with much to contribute to, and many benefits to be had from, collaboration with European partners.”
“The eight pioneer universities of CIVIS are positively delighted to welcome the University of Glasgow as an associate partner,” says Professor Marian Preda, Rector of the University of Bucharest and President of the Board of Rectors of CIVIS. “The amount of talent, experience and reach of the University of Glasgow will significantly strengthen the alliance at a time when CIVIS is developing a range of ground-breaking initiatives in education, research, innovation, and links with society.
“Moreover, we find that welcoming a Scottish university into a European alliance (with partners from Belgium, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Romania, Spain, and Sweden), at this particular time in European history is, by itself, utterly significant.”
First published: 1 February 2021