UA leads new Young European Research Universities network

Yerun brings together 18 universities from 12 EU countries. The Dutch University of Maastricht and the Spanish Autonomous University of Madrid join UA (pictured) as the co-founders of the initiative. All member universities were launched less than 50 years ago and belong to the best universities worldwide for their age category, according to the influential QS Top 50 Under 50-ranking.

The UA, which ranked in 14th on the most recent list, is the only Belgian university in the new network.

According to UA rector Alain Verschoren, the intensified co-operation between the universities will lead to joint projects in education and research such as the foundation of common study programmes. The network will also make it easier for academics, staff and students to work or study at one of the partner institutions.

Yerun also see their collaboration as a way to increase their influence on European policy. “A lot of decisions are taken on the European level that concern financing of scientific research,” said Verschoren. “It is difficult as a young, medium-sized university to really make your voice heard. If we speak together with our European colleagues, our voice will undoubtedly be louder.”