Leveraging collaboration: the power of inter-institutional partnerships
30 June 2025
Giovanni Molari, Rector, University of Bologna
In celebrating its 40th anniversary, the Annual Conference and General Assembly of the Coimbra Group just held in Bologna (10-13 June 2025) constituted a great opportunity to highlight the relevance the network has for each institution involved, and jointly reflect on its mission, future and priorities.
Over the past four decades, the constant and intense interactions among our universities, between academics, staff, and students, have allowed us to broaden our perspectives, sharpen our views and increase our collective impact. Collaboration among member universities has taken many forms and directions and has favored the sharing of best practices not only within academic communities, but also in shaping relations with institutions and society at large.
The conference in Bologna followed the Climate Symposium held last March at Durham University, which culminated in the signing of the “Durham Declaration on Climate Change and Sustainability”. The event focused on the role universities can play in tackling climate change and proposing solutions to protect the environment. In the same spirit – that is, to reinforce the social responsibility of universities – a panel debate in Bologna featuring Rectors of Coimbra Group universities and Mayors of cities explored current and future approaches to “Empower Local and Global Communities”, promoting “Academic Cooperation for a Sustainable Global Future”.
Inter-institutional partnerships increase impact: by sharing interests and complementing expertise, we become stronger in pursuing our goals – both locally and globally, more effective in defending our values, and more beneficial to our communities. Far from standing on their own, universities are called to reinforce their mutual connections and reaffirm the importance of synergies with societies, for the benefit of present and future generations. In an increasingly fragile international scenario, strengthening the synergies between our universities and their home cities amplifies our voices and helps us prepare for future challenges.
As prominent universities, we are committed not only to excellence in education, research and innovation, but also to the idea that these goals are best achieved through cooperation in education, research and outreach – fostering an environment where peaceful interactions can take place. As long-established institutions, we are aware that excellence needs to be accompanied by inclusion, and transformative visions must be grounded in sustainability. In times when collaboration in research and education is under pressure, when conflicts and tension are increasing, where mobility and democratic values are being questioned, Coimbra Group universities have gathered to stress their mutual trust and trust in strong alliances between universities and their municipalities.
By empowering and working closely with our local communities, and by building bridges founded on European culture and academic values, we are increasingly called upon to make a difference worldwide.
Only by emphasizing that science and culture exist in —and for — society, by learning from one another, and by strengthening our connections, will we be able to look ahead and shape long-term visions. Only by continuing to integrate our academic communities and joining forces with society can we truly defend our shared values, pave the way for innovation and lead through inclusion. Only by openly and strongly affirming that tolerance, dialogue and peace are constitutive of academic activities, will we be able truly fulfill our goal of making a lasting difference, promoting responsible internationalization and facilitating multicultural relations through critical times.