The Guild of European Research-Intensive Universities has put forth a set of recommendations aimed at enhancing the alliances of European universities, with a particular emphasis on the need for “flexible funding” to support these academic partnerships[^1]. The Guild’s advice comes as part of its broader vision to remove barriers to transnational mobility and encourage innovation through competition, which is seen as essential for fostering high-quality education and addressing the increasing polarization that can lead to conflict[^1].
One of the key aspects of the Guild’s recommendations is the call for increased student mobility. This is in response to the challenges faced by international students, such as the recent restrictions on family members accompanying international students on taught masters courses in the UK[^1]. The Guild asserts that providing students with opportunities to move seamlessly across national borders is crucial for maintaining the hallmark of high-quality education[^1].
In terms of funding, the Guild suggests that more flexibility should be granted in choosing priorities for alliances to focus on. This includes budget flexibility and the types of activities that could be funded under various EU instruments, such as Erasmus+, Framework Programme, and EU’s structural funds[^1]. The Guild points out that current obstacles exist in the types of activities that can be funded with national funding for alliances compared to those funded by Erasmus+[^1].
Moreover, the Guild emphasizes the importance of fostering competition between research actors and experts to spur changes and implement policies to advance the European Research Area (ERA)[^1]. They advocate for future calls to be “less prescriptive” and allow for more bottom-up approaches to engage research communities[^1].
While Erasmus+ is identified as the primary financial source for European Universities alliances, the Guild notes that EU funding alone will not suffice if the alliances are to have a transformative potential for the sector[^1]. Therefore, they stress the necessity for additional investments from individual national governments and institutions themselves to invest in the success of these alliances[^1].
In conclusion, the Guild’s recommendations for European universities’ alliances underscore the need for flexible funding mechanisms, increased student mobility, and greater investment in research and innovation to ensure the continued excellence and collaboration within Europe’s higher education landscape[^1].
[^1]: https://thepienews.com/news/guild-recommendations-european-universities-alliances/
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[https://thepienews.com/news/guild-recommendations-european-universities-alliances/](https://thepienews.com/news/guild-recommendations-european-universities-alliances/)
