A group of world leading universities met on 1 June 2016 in Brussels to found the Guild of European Research Intensive Universities.
The Guild brings together universities that have demonstrable excellence in teaching, research and policy formation from across Europe to collaborate on the creation of innovative solutions to some of Europe's most intractable scientific and social challenges.
Amongst the institutions that met in Brussels were the universities of Bologna, Glasgow, Göttingen, Groningen, Oslo, Tübingen, Uppsala, Warwick, and Kraków. The Jagiellonian University was represented by Prof. Stanisław Kistryn, JU Vice-Rector for Research and Structural Funds. Other members will be announced when the Guild is formally launched on 21 November 2016, an event that will also be held in Brussels.
Rector of the University of Oslo and Chair of the Board of the Guild of European Research Intensive Universities, Prof. Ole Petter Ottersen, commented that the Guild offered an exciting and rich resource to European Higher Education and spoke for all the members when he said, "The Guild represents a fresh approach to engagement and capacity building across Europe. We are excited by the prospect of engaging closely with the European Commission, European and national parliamentarians, officials and others to secure outstanding strategic and practical outcomes that will benefit the myriad communities of Europe".
During the meeting, the Guild chose its officers. They are: Prof. Ole Petter Ottersen (Oslo) – Chair; Prof. Anton Muscatelli (Glasgow) – Vice-Chair; Professor Stanisław Kistryn (Kraków) – Treasurer and Prof. Jan Palmowski (Warwick) – Secretary General.
