Go8 | 18 October 2013
Four of the world’s leading research university associations have made a joint statement on the characteristics of contemporary research universities. The four associations – the Association of American Universities (AAU), the Consortium of China 9 Research Universities (C9), the Group of Eight Australia (Go8), and the League of European Research Universities (LERU) issued the statement at the annual meeting of the C9 universities in Hefei, China. The associations have committed to work together to advance the 10 characteristics described in the joint statement and also explore prospects for additional collaborations.
The four groups say they are keen to extend commitment to the research university characteristics by inviting comparable associations of research universities to sign onto the Joint Statement – for example, the UK’s Russell Group.
Professor Jianguo Hou, President of The University of Science and Technology, China, and C9 convenor for 2013 said that the statement articulates the key characteristics of research universities that enable them to fulfil their research and education missions.
It outlines the shared values that underpin effective cross-national institutional collaboration. Research universities can work together across borders and across oceans to make far-reaching contributions to problem solving and innovation around the world.
Professor Fred Hilmer, Go8 Chair, said that the statement is the beginning of an important process of deepening community understanding of what research universities are and what they can be, and of their unique role in meeting global challenges.
See
Hefie Statement
