Coimbra Group participates in launch of Global Innovation Circle on Higher Education in Hannover
27 October 2025
The Coimbra Group joined 20 key higher education networks in Hannover for the launch of GICHE, a new global initiative promoting innovation and collaboration
Executive Board Chair Ludovic Thilly represented the Coimbra Group at the inaugural Global Innovation Circle on Higher Education (GICHE) event in Hannover on 23-24 October 2025.
GICHE is a recently established international networking initiative that seeks not only to foster dialogue and knowledge-sharing, but also to develop collaborative solutions. It brings together leaders from major international higher education networks across the continents, thereby creating a true “network of networks”. Its objectives are to facilitate a sustainable, long-term, and inclusive global discourse on strategic issues shaping the development of the international academic and higher education landscape.
The inaugural event focused on “Building innovative networks in complex times: what lies ahead for international collaboration in higher education?”. Leaders from 20 networks – including the EUA, LERU, The Guild, UNICA, and AUGM – participated in this meeting, contributing to dedicated workshops on the following four main topics:
- Building common ground: Core values and shared responsibilities in global academic partnerships (1)
- The role of knowledge equity, diversity, and inclusion in international collaboration (2)
- Innovative areas of collaboration (3)
- Innovative formats of collaboration (4)
Ludovic Thilly contributed to discussions in Workshop 3, presenting the Poitiers and Durham Declarations as flagship initiatives advancing the Coimbra Group concept of the “University in the City.”
The networks representatives reaffirmed in Hannover the indispensable role of universities in tackling global challenges. They also stressed their importance to civic, cultural, economic, and social life. All of which are essential for building a resilient and sustainable future.
University networks are also playing a key role in bridging local initiatives with global agendas, thereby amplifying their impact while upholding core values such as academic freedom, institutional autonomy, integrity, equity, diversity, and inclusion.
The GICHE partners agreed to continue developing common cooperation themes to strengthen their global impact on higher education policy and practice.