Rectors of Leading Research Universities in Europe Met in Heidelberg
21. November 2016
Representatives of LERU exchanged views on topical issues
Photo: Rothe
The members of the League of European Research Universities (LERU) came to Heidelberg to discuss topics of current interest in the landscape of higher education in Europe. The Rectors’ Assembly Meeting took place at Heidelberg University on 18 and 19 November 2016. As its Rector, and host of the meeting, Prof. Dr Bernhard Eitel underlined: “LERU advocates the interests of the leading research universities in the European research area, and is for us the most important network at the European level. LERU is a partner of the European Commission and gives expression and weight to our positions.”
The Rector of Heidelberg University welcomed his colleagues from other universities together with Prof. Dr Bert van der Zwaan, Rector of Utrecht University (Netherlands), who was elected chair of LERU during the meeting in Heidelberg. The keynote speech was given by David Allen Green, political commentator of the Financial Times, on the topic “Brexit and the future relations of the United Kingdom with the European Union”. Following that, participants discussed central university policies of the research universities in Europe, including the draft for the 9th Research Framework Programme of the EU. In the evening Theresia Bauer joined them. She gave the dinner speech in her capacity as Baden-Württemberg’s minister of Science, Research and the Arts. The agenda for the Board of Directors meeting the next day included various topics of LERU’s work.
The League of European Research Universities is currently an association of 21 and in the future 23 research-intensive universities in Europe. Heidelberg is a founding member of this network of prestigious universities, which was established in 2002. LERU’s aim is to sustainably influence university education and research policy with position papers, analyses and recommendations. The rectors of the member universities meet twice a year to discuss topical issues.
