Pompeu Fabra University joins The Guild of European Research-Intensive Universities
Contra el genocidi i contra la violació dels drets humans, a Gaza i arreu del món
Peace comes when you talk to the person you most hate. And that’s where the courage of a leader comes.
Desmond Tutu (1931-2021), first recipient of an honorary doctorate from UPF
These words, spoken by Desmond Tutu, the first person ever to be awarded an honorary doctorate by UPF, are more applicable today than ever. The UPF condemns, and will always condemn, the use of violence to settle disputes. At UPF, we advocate approaching political or territorial conflicts based on dialogue and respect for all peoples and minorities.
As a university, we also want to show our support to the academic community in countries at war. Universities and scientific institutions are more necessary than ever in these regions. Access to education and the promotion of critical thinking, in the context of strong independent institutions, are the way to ensure the informed debate and reflection that can open the door to new avenues for finding solutions.
At UPF, we are aware of the university community’s concern for the human rights violations we are seeing in the conflicts around us. That is why on this website you will find information about campaigns and actions related to current conflicts, as well as opinion pieces and institutional statements. We also offer a dedicated e-mail address – [email protected] – to contact the university and let us know about your interests and concerns.
Pompeu Fabra University joins The Guild of European Research-Intensive Universities
In this way, it will become the twenty-first member of one of the most important networks of European universities today, with a presence in sixteen countries.
Founded in 2016, The Guild includes, with the incorporation of UPF, twenty-one of Europe’s most distinguished research-intensive universities in fifteen countries, and is dedicated to enhancing the voice of academic institutions, their researchers and their students. The Guild is committed to the pursuit of excellence, the importance of truth-seeking and trust-building as the foundation of public life, and the creation of new knowledge for the benefit of society, culture, and economic growth.
Members include institutions such as the University of Warwick (UK), the University of Bologna (Italy), the University of Tübingen (Germany), the University of Paris (France) or the University of Bern (Switzerland).
Jaume Casals, Rector of the UPF, considers that “being part of The Guild is a clear statement of UPF’s drive to internationalisation and cooperation with some of Europe’s leading universities. Through The Guild we will leverage our excellence in teaching and research – both crucial to enhancing UPF’s capacity to address societal challenges – by sitting at the heart of social and cultural progress and policy debates that shape the future of Europe’s Higher Education research and innovation landscape”.
"Being part of The Guild is a clear statement of the University’s drive towards internationalization and cooperation with some of the most important universities in Europe."
For her part, Isabel Valverde, Vice-Rector for Internationalization Projects of the UPF, says that “The Guild is the network that, due to its program and vision, the quality of its members and its political dimension in the construction of the European area of education and research, corresponds to the UPF project of consolidating itself as an international university with all that internationalization implies in terms of prestige and global projection."
The Guild’s Presidents have been impressed by the University’s very strong performance against all the membership criteria. Ranked 10th young university worldwide by the Times Higher Education Global Rankings (2021), Pompeu Fabra University is ranked as the top University in the Iberian Peninsula. Presidents were also inspired by UPF’s capture of European research-funding, particularly in breakthrough research, as UPF is the most successful Spanish institution in obtaining European Research Council (ERC) since 2014.
Vincent Blondel, Chair of The Guild, said: “We are extremely pleased to expand further the geographical diversity of The Guild with a member from the Iberian Peninsula. Pompeu Fabra University brings to The Guild a particular experience of achieving global distinction in research, teaching and public impact in a very short time, across the entire disciplinary spectrum.”
"Pompeu Fabra University brings to The Guild a particular experience of achieving global distinction in research, teaching and public impact in a very short time, across the entire disciplinary spectrum."
Jan Palmowski, Secretary-General of The Guild, commented: “Pompeu Fabra enriches The Guild as a young, comprehensive university that has managed to establish an outstanding reputation in a short period of time. It adds to the diversity of our membership – of universities founded in the medieval period to universities established in living memory – that all share a commitment to academic excellence in teaching and research, and a dedication to society – we look forward to working with colleagues from UPF!”
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