The idea of institutes of higher education actively working together is something we hear about often, yet exclusively, in specific fields of research, wherein there may be a need to collaborate based on required expertise or available facilities, but the U4Society Network takes a different approach.
U4Society Network is a European University Network of Ghent University (Belgium), University of Göttingen (Germany), University of Groningen (Netherlands), University of Tartu (Estonia), and Uppsala University (Sweden).
By just identifying themselves as partners for common goals, they set themselves apart from the majority of universities in Europe, and in the world for that matter. Further than this, through their action they promote the importance of partnership through the variety of values and principles the European universities are based on (see below for more details). These values and principles are not just for show either – they bear results. Powerful results. The network continues to produce ground breaking research and international impact through their partnership and it is inspiring to see this, as partnerships like these are what SDG 17 Partnerships for the Goals really refer to.
Mission
The first aim of the partnership is to provide a supportive platform for joint cooperative initiatives in the field of education, research and institutional management, as well as to offer a solid framework for cooperation as preferential partners in international projects and contexts.Vision
The ambition of the U4Society Network is to strengthen the international position and visibility of the individual partner institutions through intensive cooperation.The U4Society Network aims to broaden the partner universities’ educational offer, facilitate and enhance the U4Society students’ international experiences, strengthen the research output, and share knowledge and pooling resources within the field of university management.
It further seeks to provide education based on the overarching European values and principles of human rights, openness, and democracy, actively promoting universities’ rights to autonomy, academic freedom, and sustainability, as well as strongly advocating the notion of European citizens.
U4Society Network
Sustainability is certainly one of the areas that the U4 Society Network focuses on and not just because of this, but also through their colourful fruit-bearing partnership, they embody SDG 4 Quality Education and one target in particular; ensuring that all learners acquire the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development.
Another key feature, one that can often be taken for granted where it does exist, is the trust between the universities within the partnership and the open dialogue this facilitates between them. This trust is key to achieving true progress without the fear of losing out to a competitor, be it financially or as a matter of reputation. The network also prides itself on its unique governance shown in the diagram below, courtesy of the U4Society Network website. Each cluster is led by a particular university, but each institution is brought together as equals using the hub and spoke governance structure.
Credit: u4network.eu
Learn more about the U4Society Network on their website and be inspired by the power of partnership!
