VSNU joins statement of European Rectors' Conferences on collaboration with the UK
The Presidents of Rectors’ Conferences in 24 European countries have proclaimed their support for continued collaboration with UK universities, even after a Brexit. In the joint statement, also signed by Jan Mengelers, vice-president of the Association of universities in the Netherlands (VSNU), the presidents point to the great significance of collaboration and exchange of ideas and people.
The joint statement in full:
We as European university leaders wish to reaffirm our commitment to international cooperation and exchange in this turbulent time for Europe. We are strongest when we tackle issues collaboratively, when we exchange ideas and people, and when we open our hearts and minds to new perspectives and new knowledge.
Collaboration is also a cornerstone of innovation and excellence. It is by pooling infrastructure, data and expertise that we can best pursue ground-breaking research which improves people's lives and help to build strong and sustainable knowledge economies.
The outcome of the UK's referendum on EU membership will mean a new relationship between the UK and the rest of Europe, but we will work together to ensure that the long-standing research and exchange relationships between Europe's universities continue, for the benefit of people across the continent.
The Presidents of European Rectors' Conferences
|
Prof. Rolf Tarrach |
President |
European Universities Association |
|
Prof. Dame Julia Goodfellow |
President |
Universities UK |
|
Prof. Dr. Horst Hippler |
President |
German Rectors' Conference |
|
Professor Jean-Loup Salzmann |
President |
French Conference of University Presidents |
|
Prof. Dr. Oliver Vitouch |
President |
Universities Austria |
|
Prof. Dr. Tomas Zima |
President |
Czech Rectors' Conference |
|
Rector Per Michael Johansen |
Vice Chair |
Universities Denmark |
|
Professor Tiit Land |
President |
Universities Estonia |
|
Professor Jouko Niinimäki |
President |
Universities Finland |
|
Professor Luc De Schepper |
President |
Flemish Interuniversity Council |
|
Dr. József Bódis |
President |
Hungarian Rectors' Conference |
|
Dr Jon Atli Benediktsson |
President |
National Rectors Conference in Iceland |
|
Prof. Don Barry |
President |
Irish Universities Association |
|
Prof. Gaetano Manfredi |
President |
Conference of Italian Universities Rectors |
|
Professor Arvids Barsevskis |
Chairman |
Latvian Rectors' Council |
|
Professor Rainer Klump |
President |
University of Luxembourg |
|
Jan Mengelers |
Vice-President |
Association of Universities in the Netherlands |
|
Prof. Dr Vidar L. Haanes |
President |
Norwegian Association for Higher Education Institutions |
|
Professor Wieslaw Banys |
President |
Conference of Rectors of Academic Schools in Poland |
|
Prof. António M. Cunha |
President |
Portuguese National Conference of Rectors |
|
Prof. Dr Vladimir Bumbasirevic |
President |
Conference of the Universities of Serbia |
|
Professor Rudolf Kropil |
President |
Slovak Rectors' Conference |
|
Professor Dragan Marušič, PhD |
President |
Slovenian Rectors' Conference |
|
Mr. Segundo Píriz Durán |
President |
Conference of the Rectors of Spanish Universities (CRUE) |
|
Professor Helen Dannetun |
Chair of the Board |
Association of Swedish Higher Education |