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We have been informed that Pier Ugo Calzolari, former Rector of the University of Bologna 2000-2009, died last 15 October.
In his farewell words, the actual rector, Ivano Dionigi says:
“The fruitful partnership in the Networks and Associations of Universities, of which our Institution can benefit today, is the result of his strong commitment towards the development of International Cooperation among universities. His engagement in promoting excellence in research and international relations had its roots in his wide personal experience. Pier Ugo Calzolari was active in scientific networks on Microelectronics, his own field of studies, and represented Italy in several International Bodies dealing with the Information Society and High Technology for Industrial Development.
As Rector of the University of Bologna he was deeply involved in reaffirming the importance of quality and creative innovation in thetransformation of Higher Education Systems, as well as in promoting the values of academic freedom, autonomy and integrity. He did so not only for our academic community, but for the benefit of the much larger community of Universities. As Vicepresident of the International Association of Universities and former member of the Magna Charta Observatory he has been active in chairing a joint IAU-MCO Working Group which, over the past two years, worked to draft Guidelines for an Institutional Code of Ethics in Higher Education. This last contribution confirms his full dedication, his vision, wisdom and generosity of spirit. In all his activities he always brought not only a profound expertise but also an authentic love for science, for teaching, for culture and beauty and, not last, for the simple joys of life.
He will be sorely missed by all who had the privilege to know him, as we did.”
Pier Ugo Calzolari Biography
On 31 January 2011, the Executive Board Chair, Prof. Dorothy Kelly, responded on behalf of the CG to DG Development in a accompanying letter to the CG response already provided for the consultation from DG Education and Culture on a “Future EU programme for international cooperation in higher education and human capital development”. You will find the accompanying letter here:
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News
CG position on Horizon 2020
The Coimbra Group has published its comments on the Horizon 2020 proposal from the European Commission. The Coimbra Group welcomes Horizon 2020 because of its determination to strengthen the emphasis on research excellence, its support to open, basic research and the ambition to increase European and cross-sectoral research collaboration. The policy paper also contains the concerns of the Coimbra Group, in many cases serious concerns, in particular of the negative funding trend regarding the future Marie Skłodowska Curie actions and the virtual absence, yet again, of the social sciences and humanities in most of the defined societal challenges. The member universities of the Coimbra Group put a strong emphasis on fundamental and blue sky research and see the Humanities and Social Sciences as equal and integral parts not only of their teaching and research portfolio, but also of their contribution to society and economic development. With its particular awareness of regional differences and the varying impact of economic and financial instability on different higher education and research systems the Coimbra Group has also expressed its concern that the progress of the past decade and a half of creating a strong and cohesive ERA may be undermined in the present crisis and that this is not sufficiently taken into consideration.
This means that, unfortunately, comments earlier published by the Coimbra Group on the European Commission’s Green Paper From Challenges to Opportunities and in connection with the ERA consultation can only be repeated: “The Coimbra Group concludes that it has been a source of considerable concern that the complexity of innovation is underestimated and along with this the vital role and creativity of university research and the diversity of research disciplines. This has given rise to the concern that a future Common Strategic Framework might neglect the fundamental role in any innovation strategy of basic research, of the cross-feeding of ideas and knowledge through increased mobility of researchers, of the need to foster spaces for researchers to meet, exchange ideas and promote entrepreneurship”.
Coimbra Group position on Horizon 2020
Links strengthened with Brazil
A small group of Coimbra Group representatives participated in the Vth General Assembly of the Coimbra Group of Brazilian Universities, in Curitiba, at end of November 2012.
On this occasion a bilateral agreement was signed between the president of CGUB, Maria Lúcia Cavalli Neder (Universidade Federal do Mato Grosso) and the Chair of the Executive Board of the Coimbra Group, Dorothy Kelly (University of Granada).
The document is an open framework agreement to be followed up by specific, concrete activities and results. The Portuguese version was signed and is the legally binding text, but there is also an English version (in an unofficial translation).
Agreement (Portuguese official version) Agreement (English unofficial translation)
In Memoriam: Pier Ugo Calzolari
We have been informed that Pier Ugo Calzolari, former Rector of the University of Bologna 2000-2009, died last 15 October.
In his farewell words, the actual rector, Ivano Dionigi says:
“The fruitful partnership in the Networks and Associations of Universities, of which our Institution can benefit today, is the result of his strong commitment towards the development of International Cooperation among universities. His engagement in promoting excellence in research and international relations had its roots in his wide personal experience. Pier Ugo Calzolari was active in scientific networks on Microelectronics, his own field of studies, and represented Italy in several International Bodies dealing with the Information Society and High Technology for Industrial Development.
As Rector of the University of Bologna he was deeply involved in reaffirming the importance of quality and creative innovation in thetransformation of Higher Education Systems, as well as in promoting the values of academic freedom, autonomy and integrity. He did so not only for our academic community, but for the benefit of the much larger community of Universities. As Vicepresident of the International Association of Universities and former member of the Magna Charta Observatory he has been active in chairing a joint IAU-MCO Working Group which, over the past two years, worked to draft Guidelines for an Institutional Code of Ethics in Higher Education. This last contribution confirms his full dedication, his vision, wisdom and generosity of spirit. In all his activities he always brought not only a profound expertise but also an authentic love for science, for teaching, for culture and beauty and, not last, for the simple joys of life.
He will be sorely missed by all who had the privilege to know him, as we did.”
Pier Ugo Calzolari Biography
Call for applications: 2012-13 Arenberg-Coimbra Group Prize
The Arenberg-Coimbra Group Prize for Erasmus Students is now launched for its 2012-13 season, the seventh time that the call for applications is advertised. The Executive Board has updated the regulations for the Prize and has recommended the addition of a template to accompany each application. Both the revised regulations and the template are now available below together with an updated list of contact persons at the individual Coimbra Group universities.
The deadline for application is 30 November 2012 to the university contact person. Each Coimbra Group university can select a maximum of three candidates to submit to the Executive Board by 30 January 2013 at the latest. The Executive Board will appoint a selection committee to find a laureate among the submissions before 30 March 2013. The result of the selection will be published in the Newsletter and a Prize ceremony will take place at the 2013 General Assembly in the presence of the Duke of Arenberg.
For more information: http://www.coimbra-group.eu/index.php?page=arenberg-prize
The deadline for application is 30 November 2012 to the university contact person. Each Coimbra Group university can select a maximum of three candidates to submit to the Executive Board by 30 January 2013 at the latest. The Executive Board will appoint a selection committee to find a laureate among the submissions before 30 March 2013. The result of the selection will be published in the Newsletter and a Prize ceremony will take place at the 2013 General Assembly in the presence of the Duke of Arenberg.
For more information: http://www.coimbra-group.eu/index.php?page=arenberg-prize
In Memoriam: Simon-Pierre Nothomb
We have been informed that Simon-Pierre Nothomb died last Thursday after several days in a coma following a fall. Simon-Pierre became the founder of the Coimbra Group when he invited historic universities to attend a meeting at Louvain-la-Neuve and Leuven in 1985, and he has followed the development of the Group ever since, although in later years in a less active role. His contribution as a Steering Group member and as a steadfast supporter of the Coimbra Group over the years was recognised at the 20th anniversary of the Group, when he received an honorary doctorate at the University of Coimbra.
The Coimbra Group Executive Board and the Coimbra Group Office have forwarded their condolences to the family. Should any of you wish to pay tribute in a personal or official capacity the funeral will take place on Tuesday 3 April at 11 am at the Church of Saint-Nicolas in Habay-la-Neuve in the province of Luxembourg, where the family seat is located. You can also contribute to the family’s In Memoriam site: http://www.inmemoriam.be/fr/2012-03-29/simon-pierre-nothomb/, where there is a "carnet de condoléances".
The Coimbra Group Executive Board and the Coimbra Group Office have forwarded their condolences to the family. Should any of you wish to pay tribute in a personal or official capacity the funeral will take place on Tuesday 3 April at 11 am at the Church of Saint-Nicolas in Habay-la-Neuve in the province of Luxembourg, where the family seat is located. You can also contribute to the family’s In Memoriam site: http://www.inmemoriam.be/fr/2012-03-29/simon-pierre-nothomb/, where there is a "carnet de condoléances".
CG - AUGM Agreement
The Coimbra Group (CG) has renewed the cooperation agreement with the Association of Universities Montevideo Group (AUGM). This document aims at promoting and endorsing academic relations between the member Universities of the respective networks.
The Montevideo Group is a 20-year old network that gathers 28 Universities in Latin America (Uruguay, Paraguay, Chile, Brazil, Bolivia and Argentina).
The document wishes to promote the exchange of undergraduate and postgraduate students between AUGM and CG Universities as well as the exchange of professors.
The Montevideo Group is a 20-year old network that gathers 28 Universities in Latin America (Uruguay, Paraguay, Chile, Brazil, Bolivia and Argentina).
The document wishes to promote the exchange of undergraduate and postgraduate students between AUGM and CG Universities as well as the exchange of professors.
CG ERA Consultation Response
The European Commission published an on-line consultation on the ERA Framework: “Areas of untapped potential for the development of the European Research Area (ERA)” in September this year with a response deadline on 30 November 2011. The Coimbra Group response concentrated on three major issues, the training of doctoral candidates, the concept of mobility and the absence of the humanities and social sciences in the consultation document.
CG signs agreement on the student exchange scheme “Science without Borders”
On 4 November Dorothy Kelly, the Executive Board Chair, signed the agreement on the student exchange scheme “Science without Borders” with the Brazilian ministerial agency, Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) and the CoimBrazil group, the Association Coimbra Group of Brazilian University Rectors. The Coimbra Group Rectors and Representatives have been informed as have the international offices at Coimbra Group Universities.
The programme is based on CG Universities offering a number of places to Brazilian students who will be funded by the “Science without Borders” programme. The selection of students will be carried out by a joint Coimbra Group-CoimBrazil-CNPq committee, once students have secured at least a provisional offer of a place by the host university and approval from their home university.
The CG is currently involved in discussions with the CoimBrazil group and the CNPq to finalize the details of the selection process, but for Brazilian students coming to Europe it will involve at least the following:
- a call for applications issued jointly by the three signatories of the agreement in Brazil, based on the places on offer at Coimbra Group universities,
- a period for students to obtain at least pre-admission to a place from the host university plus approval from their home university, and for applications to be filed (on-line) in CNPq,
- a pre-selection screening by CNPq, and
- final selection for funding by the joint committee.
The students under this scheme are Brazilian bachelor level students and doctoral candidates. There are no provisions for Brazilian master level students in the scheme. It is important to underline that this joint committee will carry out the selection for funding only and that responsibility for the offer of a place at the host CG university will always lie entirely with the university and the department involved.
For Europe to Brazil student mobility, a similar joint process will be put in place and administered by the University of Coimbra, but in this case with no funding from Brazil, i.e. mobility is funded by the students themselves or their home universities.
Participation at national or bilateral institutional level is completely compatible with participation under this Coimbra Group scheme. CG Universities are of course entirely free to choose whether they prefer bilateral participation, participation in a national scheme, in this Coimbra Group scheme, or in any combination of these.
The Coimbra Group has negotiated other elements which were not originally contemplated in the “Science without Borders” scheme, such as bench fees per student-annum for receiving universities (a maximum €2,500, paid directly to the host university) or co-tutelle provision for temporary “sandwich” doctoral mobility, this at the request of several member universities in order to ensure greater return for the investment of resources in incoming temporary doctoral mobility.
The CG Universities are currently preparing their feedback on the number of students they will be interested in receiving, and it is the hope of the Executive Board Chair that all practical issues will be settled at the end of this month to enable the exchanges to start in the academic year 2012.
The Portuguese version of the agreement and an English translation are both available under “News” on the CG web site.
CG Position Paper on the European Commission's Green Paper “From Challenges to Opportunities: Towards a Common Strategic Framework for EU Research and Innovation Funding”
On 19 May 2011 the Coimbra Group Position Paper on the European Commission’s Green Paper, “From Challenges to Opportunities: Towards a Common Strategic Framework for EU Research and Innovation Funding” was submitted to the Commission. The Position Paper was prepared by an expert group, chaired by Prof. A. Manthos, and the DSR TF Chair, Prof. Johnny Laursen, and DSR TF member, Prof. Maria Cunha participated together with the Culture, Arts and Humanities Task Force Chair, Prof. Jürgen Barkhoff. The Executive Board discussed the paper on 4 May and decided to forward the document to the Rectors’ Advisory Group and the members of the DSR TF for comments.
The Coimbra Group concludes that “it has been a source of considerable concern to the Coimbra Group that the complexity of innovation is underestimated and along with this the vital role and creativity of university research and their diversity of research disciplines. This has given rise to the concern that a future Common Strategic Framework might neglect the fundamental role in any innovation strategy of basic research, of the cross-feeding of ideas and knowledge through increased mobility of researchers, of the need to foster spaces for researchers to meet, exchange ideas and promote entrepreneurship.”
DSR TF comments to the draft European Framework for Researcher Careers
On 28 February 2011 the Doctoral Studies and Research Task forwarded its comments on the European Commission draft, “Towards a European Framework for Researcher Careers”. The DSR TF raised a number of concerns and, in particular, underlined that as it stands the framework would not be useful for job descriptions or appraisal systems. The DSR TF has encouraged the Commission to develop the concept into a sector-neutral framework instead of the limited concept now under consideration, which covers careers in research institutions only. As a sector-neutral framework, however, it could become a useful tool in supporting researchers, promoting personal, professional and career development, and promoting cross- sectoral mobility.
Read the document.
Read the document.
CG Response to the DG Development consultation “What funding for EU external action after 2013?”
On 31 January 2011, the Executive Board Chair, Prof. Dorothy Kelly, responded on behalf of the CG to DG Development in a accompanying letter to the CG response already provided for the consultation from DG Education and Culture on a “Future EU programme for international cooperation in higher education and human capital development”. You will find the accompanying letter here:
.News
Arenberg - Coimbra Group prize 2013
Arenberg - Coimbra Group prize 2013
On 22 March the Executive Board approved the result of the selection committee for this year’s Arenberg-Coimbra Group Prize for Erasmus Students. The 2013 Laureate is Juho Terrijärvi from the University of Turku.
This year there were nineteen nominations from ten universities for the Arenberg-Coimbra Group Prize for Erasmus Students. The selection committee consisted of Professors Jean-Marie Boisson from the University of Montpellier, Ain Heinaru from the University of Tartu, and Dorothy Kelly from the University of Granada (chair). read more...
CG position on Horizon 2020
The Coimbra Group has published its comments on the Horizon 2020 proposal from the European Commission. The Coimbra Group welcomes Horizon 2020 because of its determination to strengthen the emphasis on research excellence, its support to open, basic research and the ambition to increase European and cross-sectoral research collaboration. The policy paper also contains the concerns of the Coimbra Group, in many cases serious concerns, in particular of the negative funding trend regarding the future Marie Skłodowska Curie actions and the virtual absence, yet again, of the social sciences and humanities in most of the defined societal challenges... read more...Links strengthened with Brazil
A small group of Coimbra Group representatives participated in the Vth General Assembly of the Coimbra Group of Brazilian Universities, in Curitiba, at end of November 2012. On this occasion a bilateral agreement was signed between the president of CGUB, Maria Lúcia Cavalli Neder (Universidade Federal do Mato Grosso) and the Chair of the Executive Board of the Coimbra Group, Dorothy Kelly (University of Granada). read more...
News
In Memoriam: Pier Ugo Calzolari
We have been informed that Pier Ugo Calzolari, former Rector of the University of Bologna 2000-2009, died last 15 October.
In his farewell words, the actual rector, Ivano Dionigi says:
“The fruitful partnership in the Networks and Associations of Universities, of which our Institution can benefit today, is the result of his strong commitment towards the development of International Cooperation among universities. His engagement in promoting excellence in research and international relations had its roots in his wide personal experience. Pier Ugo Calzolari was active in scientific networks on Microelectronics, his own field of studies, and represented Italy in several International Bodies dealing with the Information Society and High Technology for Industrial Development. read more...
In Memoriam: Pier Ugo Calzolari
We have been informed that Pier Ugo Calzolari, former Rector of the University of Bologna 2000-2009, died last 15 October.
In his farewell words, the actual rector, Ivano Dionigi says:
“The fruitful partnership in the Networks and Associations of Universities, of which our Institution can benefit today, is the result of his strong commitment towards the development of International Cooperation among universities. His engagement in promoting excellence in research and international relations had its roots in his wide personal experience. Pier Ugo Calzolari was active in scientific networks on Microelectronics, his own field of studies, and represented Italy in several International Bodies dealing with the Information Society and High Technology for Industrial Development. read more...
Call for applications: 2012-13 Arenberg-Coimbra Group Prize
The Arenberg-Coimbra Group Prize for Erasmus Students is now launched for its 2012-13 season, the seventh time that the call for applications is advertised. The Executive Board has updated the regulations for the Prize and has recommended the addition of a template to accompany each application. Both the revised regulations and the template are now available below together with an updated list of contact persons at the individual Coimbra Group universities . Read more...
University of Padova - Doctoral positions for foreign students
The University of Padova, sponsored by the Fondazione Cassa di Risparmio di Padova e Rovigo, has published a call for applications for 15 fully funded grants for foreign (non-Italian) graduate students starting doctoral courses in January 2013. Read more...
Arenberg-Coimbra Group Prize for Erasmus Students 2012
On 30 March 2012 the Executive Board of the Coimbra Group decided to endorse the recommendations of the selection committee established to assess the fourteen candidatures for the 2012 Arenberg-Coimbra Group Prize for Erasmus Students.
The 2012 Laureate is Ms Júlia Tóth-Czifra from the Eötvös Loránd University in Budapest. She will receive her Prize from the Duke of Arenberg at the General Assembly of the Coimbra Group in Göttingen on 30 May this year. Read more...
In Memoriam: Simon-Pierre Nothomb
We have been informed that Simon-Pierre Nothomb died last Thursday after several days in a coma following a fall. Simon-Pierre became the founder of the Coimbra Group when he invited historic universities to attend a meeting at Louvain-la-Neuve and Leuven in October 1985, and he has followed the development of the Group ever since Read more...
CG - AUGM Agreement
CG ERA Consultation Response
The European Commission published an on-line consultation on the ERA Framework: “Areas of untapped potential for the development of the European Research Area (ERA)” in September this year with a response deadline on 30 November 2011. The Coimbra Group response concentrated on three major issues, the training of doctoral candidates, the concept of mobility and the absence of the humanities and social sciences in the consultation document. Read more...
CG signs agreement on the student exchange scheme “Science without Borders”
On 4 November Dorothy Kelly, the Executive Board Chair, signed the agreement on the student exchange scheme “Science without Borders” with the Brazilian ministerial agency, Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) and the CoimBrazil group, the Association Coimbra Group of Brazilian University Rectors. The Coimbra Group Rectors and Representatives have been informed as have the international offices at Coimbra Group Universities. Read more...
CG Position Paper on the European Commission's Green Paper “From Challenges to Opportunities: Towards a Common Strategic Framework for EU Research and Innovation Funding”
On 19 May 2011 the Coimbra Group Position Paper on the European Commission’s Green Paper, “From Challenges to Opportunities: Towards a Common Strategic Framework for EU Research and Innovation Funding” was submitted to the Commission. Read more...
DSR TF comments to the draft European Framework for Researcher Careers
On 28 February 2011 the Doctoral Studies and Research Task forwarded its comments on the European Commission draft, “Towards a European Framework for Researcher Careers”. The DSR TF raised a number of concerns and, in particular, underlined that as it stands the framework would not be useful for job descriptions or appraisal systems. Read more...
CG Response to the DG Development consultation “What funding for EU external action after 2013?”
On 31 January 2011, the Executive Board Chair, Prof. Dorothy Kelly, responded on behalf of the CG to DG Development in a accompanying letter to the CG response already provided for the consultation from DG Education and Culture on a “Future EU programme for international cooperation in higher education and human capital development”. More information here.
Short specialised master courses for science students at Coimbra Group universities
The Coimbra Group Universities are centres of excellence in a wide number of fields, and their science faculties are among the best in Europe. The role of science goes far beyond mere application, and it is the knowledge of the real world, the awareness of methodologies and traditions that the CG Universities represent and provide which could make exchanges of master students attractive. It is therefore with pleasure that this overview of summer schools is now presented.
Scholarship Programmes 2011
The CG Office has just published the call for its three Scholarship Programmes for 2011.
- Scholarship Programme for young African researchers
- Scholarships Programme for Young Professors and Researchers from Latin American Universities
- Eastern Neighbouring Countries (ENC) Scholarship Programme
Please note that online applications should be submitted before 15 March 2011. All relevant information can be found here.
Response to two consultations launched by the European Commission's DG Education and Culture
On 30 November, the Executive Board Chair, Prof. Dorothy Kelly, forwarded the response to the two consultations launched by the European Commission’s Directorate-General Education and Culture on the “Future EU programme for international cooperation in higher education and human capital development” and on the “Future programme in the field of education and training (2014-2020)”. Read more