Durham University joins Arqus
The meeting of the Arqus Council of Rectors ended with a new partner joining the Alliance of European Universities – Durham University from the UK.
The Rector of the University of Minho, Prof. Rui Vieira de Castro; the Vice-Rector of the University of Graz and Chair of the Arqus Executive Board, Prof. Mireille Van Poppel; the Vice-Rector for Partnerships of Vilnius University, Prof. Arturas Vasiliauskas; Coordinator of the Arqus Alliance and a member of the Rectorate of the University of Granada, Prof. Dorothy Kelly, and General Secretary of Arqus, Fernando Galán, went to Durham on November 4, where an agreement for the accession of Durham University to the Arqus European Universities Alliance was signed.
Durham University
According to QS World University Rankings 2025, this university is ranked among the top 100 universities in the world, with an international reputation, excelling in research and education. Durham University is a member of the Russell Group – an association of the leading, research-focused universities in the UK. This university is among the top 10 British universities according to Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide, Guardian University Guide and The Complete University Guide. Citing the words of Arqus Coordinator, Dorothy Kelly, “I’m sure that having Durham University as one of the members of the alliance will have a positive and valuable impact on the organisation and other members. We can’t wait for us to learn from each other and work together”.
Shaping higher education in Europe
The fact that Durham University joined Arqus only enables the alliance with possibilities of international cooperation outside of the European Union. Moreover, it extends the influence of Arqus to different areas of the continent.
Durham University’s actions will focus on Living Labs for Climate Change and Environmental Sustainability, and European Identity and Heritage. Not only that, but Durham University will also cooperate with several working groups of Arqus to work on the innovations in education, mentoring of doctoral students, the mobility of students and research support.
As Vice-Chancellor and Rector of Durham University, Professor Karen O’Brien have stated, “Durham is a university which knows the importance of international cooperation, but also focuses on the support of local growth and development.
Arqus members share this view; that’s why we agreed to this partnership. We look forward to further cooperation with research, education and students’ mobility”.
Translated by Julia Prażuch (student of English Studies at the University of Wrocław) as part of the translation practice.
