Logo Uczelnia Badawcza
Logo Arqus
Logo Unii Europejskiej
zdjęcie przedstawiające gmach główny uczelni i fontannę szermierza
photo: Dominika Hull-Bruska

University of Wrocław joins the Coimbra Group!

The Coimbra Group (Coimbra Group Universities) has just announced that it “has increased its membership to 42. On Friday, 13 June 2025, the General Assembly approved the applications of the University of Leeds (United Kingdom), Newcastle University (United Kingdom), and the University of Wrocław (Poland). These are institutions with an established international reputation,” reads the official statement.

The Coimbra Group very rarely admits new members, and the approval process is both lengthy and demanding.

– We are very enthusiastic about the opportunities that come with joining the Coimbra Group. The network’s goals align closely with the strategy of the University of Wrocław – said prof. Robert Olkiewicz, Rector of the University of Wrocław. – Our university is actively involved in numerous research areas, including environmental sciences, digital humanities, artificial intelligence, and the social sciences. We believe our achievements in these fields can complement the strengths of other Coimbra Group members, and we are keen to contribute to interdisciplinary projects, knowledge exchange, and the advancement of academic discourse in these key areas – the Rector added.

Vice-Rector for Internationalisation, dr hab. Patrycja Matusz, prof. UWr, commented: I am delighted that the University of Wrocław has been admitted to the Coimbra Group. We are the second Polish institution, after the Jagiellonian University, to become a member of this prestigious network. This is another major step in building international cooperation. I sincerely thank all our partners from the ArQus European University Alliance for supporting our application, and I am also grateful to the authorities of the Jagiellonian University for their support and kind assistance throughout the membership process.

– We are excited about the opportunity to contribute to and benefit from the Coimbra Group –  said Professor Shearer West, Vice-Chancellor and President of the University of Leeds. – We share the network’s strategy, especially its outward-looking focus and its commitment to making an impact on the world beyond academia.

Professor Chris Day CBE, Vice-Chancellor and President of Newcastle University, added: “We feel a strong affinity with the Coimbra Group due to our shared values and our fundamental recognition of our responsibility to serve society. Newcastle shares many policy interests with the Coimbra Group, including open science and research, rankings, and academic freedom. We anticipate learning a great deal, but also contributing meaningfully in areas where we are proud to lead global innovation in higher education.”

Professor Ludovic Thilly, Chair of the Executive Board of the Coimbra Group since 2017, described the decision to invite the three new members as the outcome of a comprehensive strategic review conducted by the Board and its advisory panel of rectors in recent months.

– Like all other members of the Coimbra Group, Leeds, Newcastle, and Wrocław excel in research, innovation, and education, while also demonstrating strong societal engagement – commented prof. Thilly. – We warmly welcome each of them, confident that they will bring significant contributions to the network – new perspectives, expertise, and valuable connections and influence. We look forward to working with their academic, administrative, and student communities through our thematic working groups and a variety of initiatives.

The Coimbra Group, founded in 1985 and formally established under its Charter in 1987, celebrates its 40th anniversary in 2025, making it the oldest university network in Europe.

The association promotes internationalisation in higher education through academic collaboration and is particularly committed to advancing education and research in the service of society.

With its expanded membership, the Coimbra Group now unites 42 European universities with a well-established international profile, committed to forging special academic and cultural ties, sharing expertise, and influencing policy.

– We will provide further details on the University of Wrocław’s engagement in the Coimbra Group soon – added Vice-Rector Patrycja Matusz.

Ed. Katarzyna Górowicz-Maćkiewicz

Date of publication: 17.06.2025
Added by: M.K.

The project “Integrated Program for the Development of the University of Wrocław 2018-2022” co-financed by the European Union from the European Social Fund

NEWSLETTER
E-mail