Rectors of Central European universities on the future of cooperation with LERU
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On 21 October the University of Ljubljana hosted a meeting of the Rectors of the seven Central European universities making up the CE7 group, which collaborates with the League of European Research Universities (LERU) on the basis of a partnership agreement. University of Ljubljana Rector Gregor Majdič highlighted the importance of cooperation within CE7 in the field of higher education and research and the addressing of key strategic issues. The focus of the discussion was on how to raise the profile of the CE7 group and make it even more proactive in its relationship with LERU.
Although all CE7 members are satisfied with the progress that has been made since signing the renewed agreement between LERU and CE7 in 2022, they still feel that the relationship needs to be improved, or that a different form of cooperation between the two bodies needs to be introduced, in particular with regard to the co-formulation of policy documents and statements in areas that are important to both LERU and CE7. The Rectors adopted an agreement on further steps that will improve the visibility and internal coordination of CE7 and strengthen its collaboration with LERU.
The last part of the meeting offered participants the opportunity to share their experiences and views on the topics of research security, open science, university rankings, artificial intelligence and internal recommendations for collaboration with international partners.
The other members of CE7 besides the University of Ljubljana are the University of Zagreb, the University of Belgrade, Tartu University, the University of Warsaw, Charles University (Prague) and Eötvös Loránd University (Budapest).