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 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.
EUA Strategic Plan
The need for strong universities has never been greater in addressing societal challenges. The Covid-19 pandemic, climate change, resource scarcity, ageing populations, migration and managing artificial intelligence are among the many examples of areas where universities have a major impact.
The 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 moreThis publication focuses on geopolitical changes, digitalisation and artificial intelligence, as...
read 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 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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