MULTILATERAL COOPERATION - NETWORKS

UNICA – Network of Universities from the Capitals of Europe

Headquarters: Brussels, Belgium

President: Prof. Sorin Costreie

Vice-President: Sara López Selga

Website: www.unica-network.eu

UNICA is an institutional network of 53 universities from 37 capital cities of Europe, combining over 175,000 staff and 1,950,000 students. UNICA was established in 1990 and Comenius University in Bratislava joined the network in 1994.

The aim of the organization is academic cooperation between members, the development and implementation of the Bologna process and facilitating the integration of universities in Central Europe and Eastern Europe into the European Higher Education Area. The General Assembly is the highlight of the annual event, which, on the recommendation of the Steering Committee, elects, proposes future strategies and helps implement them. Its intention is to increase the number of foreign students, with an emphasis on the visibility of the university network. UNICA communicates the views and opinions of member universities to European institutions and national governments. It provides its members with information on European programs and initiatives and supports projects based on mutual cooperation.

For the first time in March 1996, Comenius University in Bratislava organized the General Assembly of the UNICA association, which took place at Smolenice Castle. At that time, UNICA had only 24 members. The second General Assembly took place at Comenius University in Bratislava in October 2004, with a membership base of 38 universities. The third, and so far last in a series of prestigious UNICA events, took place at Comenius University in Bratislava in November 2019, when the number of members reached 49.

Utrecht Network

Headquarters: Bologna, Italy

President: Kristin Skogedal 

Executive Secretariat: Silvia Mastrapasqua

Web: http://utrecht-network.org/

Contact: infoutrecht-network.org

Utrecht Network is a network of European Universities. Founded in 1987, the network promotes the internationalisation of higher education through summer schools, student and staff exchanges, and joint degrees. The Utrecht Network has 26 members in 24 countries.

The Utrecht Network is committed to initiatives that strengthen the international profile of its member universities. It carries many joint activities leading to further internationalisation of member institutions with a focus on international projects, summer schools, staff trainings, exchanges, university services and organisation. It also offers the Young Researchers Grant programme.

EUA  – European University Association

Headquarters: Brussels, Belgium

President: Josep M. Garrell

Web: www.eua.be

Contact:  info@eua.eu

EUA is one of the most influential organizations regarding higher education and scientific policies of the European Union. Its members are members of universities' higher management (rectors, presidents, vice-rectors, vice-presidents), national rectors' conferences, university associations and networks.

EUA is a non-profit organization that has around 850 members from all European countries. Its deep analysis and expertise is available to all its members. Conferences, seminars, workshops and web sites are the means by which their analyses, views, and visions are spread.

EAIE – European Association for International Education

Headquarters: Amsterdam, The Netherlands

President: Piet Van Hove

Vice-President: Sara López Selga

Website: www.eaie.org

EAIE is a non-profit organization founded in 1989 in Amsterdam. Its main objective is to contribute to internationalization both in Europe and worldwide, by meeting the needs of higher education professionals. At present, the EAIE has more than 2,500 members from more than 80 countries. It brings together staff from the field of international education - from rectors to teachers and coordinators of international relations - who are responsible for internationalization, implementation of the Bologna process, the use of European programs and other activities at their higher education institutions. During the year, EAIE organizes a number of activities and events, such as management courses, executive forums, academies, fairs and conferences.

As for the organizational structure of EAIE, their management consists of the President, the Vice-President, the Executive Director, the Board of Directors and the General Board. The highest session of the EAIE is the Annual Conference, the core of which consists of professional and specialist sections. These offer lectures and workshops throughout the conference. Each Annual Conference also includes an educational fair.

Since 1995 Comenius University in Bratislava has regularly participated in EAIE Annual Conferences. The annual EAIE conference and especially the participation in educational fairs brings CU the opportunity to make new contacts, expand the portfolio of potential partners, cooperation within the Erasmus+ program, promote study at Comenius University, the school's brand abroad, and much more.

The Magna Charta Observatory

Headquarters: Bologna, Itálie

President: Prof. Giovanni Molari

Web: www.magna-charta.org

The Magna Charta Observatory idea comes from Universita di Bologna, the oldest university in Europe and the EUA (European University Association). Its aims are to support and defend basic academic principles and values such as autonomy of universities and maintaining academic freedoms. Over 700 universities have signed the Magna Charta since 1998.