" Universities and Cities" is the title of the paper presented by the UPF rector, Jaume Casals, at the annual summit of academic leaders organized by Times Higher Education in the University of Melbourne from 30 September to 2 October 2015.

In his presentation, the rector referred to three models of research universities on the basis of their ties to their cities. An 'identity' model, in which the university and the city are virtually the same (such as the case of Oxford or Berkeley); a 'sky' model, in which universities have become, in themselves, large neighbourhoods that are extensions of the city (Harvard, Georgetown, or in a more immediate context, the Autonomous University of Barcelona); and, lastly, a 'territorial cooperation' model, in which the universities have become integrated into the city and, at the same time, exercise their influence on it. The Johns Hopkins University, the University of Melbourne, or UPF itself form part of this third group.

For the rector, the academic programmes of the universities that form part of the third category should take into account the fact that they are essential elements of the cities they are located in and that their academic programmes should, somehow, reflect this status. In other words, when it comes to formulating their academic strategies, universities with a territorial cooperation model should take the city they form part of into account; a requirement that it is not necessary for universities in the other two categories to fulfil. Thus, for the rector, urban studies, the social sciences, or the fields of health and of culture should not only be integrated into the programmes of these universities but should in fact guide their needs.

Once the individual presentations were over, the panel discussed different strategies to combine the international profile of a university with its ties to its closest territory. The debate was moderated by Simon Gaskell, principal of Queen Mary University of London, and also enjoyed the participation of Derek Douglas, vice-president of civic engagement for the University of Chicago, and Cheryl de la Rey, vice-chancellor of the University of Pretoria.

The strategies and challenges of young research universities, under debate in UPF

UPF celebrates its 25 ^th anniversary over the course of this year with an activities programme that revolves around three main pillars: internationalization, alumni, and the public presentation of the Strategic Plan. In the framework of the first of these pillars, on 6 and 7 April 2016, UPF will host the third young universities summit, also promoted by Times Higher Education.  

Hosting the annual young universities summit in UPF is an excellent opportunity to substantially increase the international visibility of the institution and, at the same time, to frame the debate on the challenges and opportunities that, specifically, the youngest universities face.