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.

Alliance 4 Universities (A4U) strengthens cooperation with South Africa to boost mobility and research

The Alliance 4 Universities (A4U) , has carried out a mission to South Africa in October 2024 with the purpose of strengthening academic cooperation and promoting new mobility opportunities for the university community of the member institutions; theAutonomous University of Madrid (UAM), theCarlos III University of Madrid (UC3M), thePompeu Fabra University (UPF) and the Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB). The delegation was led by the vice-rectors for internationalisation of the four universities, together with the A4U coordinator, who met with several South African academic institutions.

Institutional Mission to Namibia and Botswana The 4 Universities Alliance (A-4U) has carried out an institutional mission to Namibia and Botswana from the 30th of September to the 8th of October. Within the strategic framwork for internationalization of the 4 universities which constitute the consortium, the A-4U has developed the institutional mission to Namibia and Botswana in […]

1st ASEAN University Fair
During 6-7 March 2018, ASEAN Committee in Madrid in collaboration with Ministry of Education, Culture and Sport of Spain and the Universidad Politecnica de Madrid co-organized the 1st ASEAN University Fair in Madrid at the Escuela Tecnica Superior de Ingenieros Industriales, Universidad Politecnica de Madrid, with the aims of promoting networking among representatives of universities of ASEAN and Spain in order to develop double degree programmes and exchange students as well as scholars, and of providing a unique platform for Spanish students to meet and gain information from universities in ASEAN on entry requirements and the application process.
On the 1st day of the event, there was a seminar on “Opportunities to enhance educational linkage between ASEAN & Spain” and a forum for representatives from 9 leading universities to share their experience how to promote education linkage with ASEAN’s universities.
The International Relations Coordinator for the Alliance 4 Universities, Elena Acosta, was invited to share the A4U experience with the ASEAN countries.
There were 100 participants in the seminar comprising representatives from 20 Spanish universities, representatives from public and private sector in Spain as well as Spanish students. In addition, more than 150 Spanish students also participated in the ASEAN University Fair and Exhibition on the 50th Anniversary of ASEAN.