European universities publish joint action plan

The European University Association (EUA) has published a political declaration underlining the importance of EU investment in education, research and innovation  to enable universities to play their full role in nurturing talented individuals and in contributing to the EU 2020 strategy for smart sustainable and inclusive growth.

The declaration is the outcomes of the EUA’s annual conference held last month at Aarhus University in Denmark, which focused on the role of universities in developing talent in Europe.

As Europe’s political leaders negotiations on the next EU budget cycle after 2013, the Aarhus Declaration begins by underlining the importance of investing in education, research and innovation to enable universities to play their full role in nurturing talented individuals and in contributing to the EU 2020 strategy.

The declaration also contains an action agenda for universities to develop skills, stressing that Europe cannot afford to run the risk of losing a generation of talented people, or of a serious decrease in research and innovation activity, while its competitors are investing heavily in universities and the innovators of tomorrow, “Europe’s universities collectively add value to European society and the European economy. Looking forward to the discussion on the EU budget post 2013, the considerable achievements of the last decade should not be wasted,” the declaration says.

“The [achievements] need to be consolidated in future by prioritising higher education, research and innovation - as every euro spent at European level on universities will add value by bringing people together, pooling knowledge and creating synergies that could not be achieved at national level alone.”

The Aarhus Declaration calls on universities to strengthen their role in nurturing talent by:

• widening access and increase capacity to respond to the needs of more diverse student populations;
• developing distinctive research portfolios;
• ensuring that university staff and students identify with the university and its specific mission as a basis for generating and maintaining a vibrant university environment.

The statement also calls for clear strategies to promote talent, including:

• strengthening the links between teaching and research from an early stage and building research capacity from the undergraduate level;
• building attractive and transparent career structures, tracks and opportunities for all staff;
• placing a special focus on doctoral education and training and prioritising the development of career opportunities for early stage researchers;
• developing and promoting the circulation of talent, in order to enhance research capacity and develop new knowledge.

Download the Aarhus Declaration here.