On 11 March, the General Assembly of the A4U was held at the UPF Barcelona, chaired by the Rector of the UPF, Dr Laia de Nadal, and with the Rector of the UAM (Amaya Mendikoetxea Pelayo), the Rector of the UAB (Javier Lafuente Sancho) and the Rector of the UC3M (Ángel Arias). Also in attendance were the Heads of Cabinet, Vice-Rectors for Teaching, Internationalisation, Research and Transfer/Innovation.

During the assembly, the results of the 3 joint A4U degrees, the results of the mobilities and international missions and the results of the OPERA activity and participation in Horizon Europe were presented.

Regarding the results of the3 joint degrees of the A4U, we continue with good results of demand, especially highlighting the Degree in Philosophy, Politics and Economics, with cut-off marks above 12 (out of 14) and the ratio of supply vs. demand above 300%.

In the field ofinternationalisation, the A4U’s capacity to attract funds from the Erasmus+ programme was highlighted, obtaining more than2 million euros to date, which has facilitated the mobility of more than600 people to and from more than15 countries outside the EU. TheMission to South Africa was also highlighted, where relations with strategic partners were strengthened and the First Spanish-South African Universities Symposium, entitled ‘Global Health at a Crossroad’, was held.

In addition, some preliminary results of theIUNE Report for the Alliance were presented. From this report we highlight that the teaching and research staff of the A4U universities (representing 6% of the Spanish University System – SUE) publish17% of the total scientific publications of the SUE and receive24% of the citations (Wos Indicators (Core Collection) – 2014 – 2023). In addition, our universities occupy the top positions in Spain in the indicator for attracting resources per teaching and research staff, both in the Spanish R&i Plan and in H2020. The full report will be published soon.

From OPERA’s report, the very positive results of participation inHorizon Europe were highlighted, with special emphasis on Pillars 1 and 2. During this 2024, the universities of the Alliance have raised72 million euros in143 projects of Horizon Europe.

Also the different visits to Brussels, as well as the meetings with different personalities of the moment. Finally, the Activity Plan 2025 and the budget were presented and approved.

Before the Assembly, the Vice-Rectors for Research and Innovation presented their strategies to the counterpart Vice-Rectors, in order to share good practices, ideas and look for synergies. Then, OPERA’s Director (Ignasi Salvado Estivill) explained them the current geopolitical situation (vision from Brussels), explaining the possible impacts for the universities of theEU Competitiveness Compass, theClean Industrial Deal, andThe Union of Skills. He also presented in detail the Business Plan 2025 and the associated budget.

OPERA is theA4U’s Office for the Promotion of the European Research Activities, based in Brussels since 2009.