The European University Association (EUA) and Universities UK (UUK) have published a joint statement affirming their strong support for the UK’s return to the Erasmus+ programme, subject to mutually agreed financial terms.
EUA and UUK’s statement urges negotiators to be ambitious in agreeing to long-term association and to do so swiftly, while calling for clarity and timely communication so that all stakeholders can successfully plan and deliver Erasmus+ partnerships and programmes at the earliest opportunity.
Joint statement
The European University Association and Universities UK – together representing more than 900 universities across Europe – strongly support the association of the United Kingdom to Erasmus+ subject to mutually agreed financial terms.
Exchanges of students build long-term bridges across our continent and enhance skills, competences and outcomes. Staff exchanges disseminate knowledge more widely and make higher education both more resilient and more innovative in times of change. Cooperation between higher education institutions enrich and strengthen institutional policies across the pillars of education, research, innovation and culture, and enhance learning opportunities and collaboration for everyone.
The UK rejoining Erasmus+ will open the door to all these benefits for all parties and would enhance the UK-EU relationship. For these reasons, the European family of universities is pleased to see that negotiations on association are advancing and looks forward to being able to welcome the UK back into the Erasmus+ programme.
However, time is of the essence. EUA and UUK urge negotiators to be ambitious in agreeing to long-term association and to do so swiftly. Our Associations also urge clarity and timely communication so that all stakeholders – governments, higher education institutions, students and staff – can successfully plan and deliver Erasmus+ partnerships and programmes at the earliest opportunity.
Welcoming the joint statement, Jamie Arrowsmith, Director of Universities UK International, noted that:
The Erasmus+ programme supports mobility and exchange that enrich the lives of students and strengthens ties between universities across Europe and beyond. We urge all parties to move swiftly to reach a mutually agreeable deal on the cost of association so that universities, students and staff can plan with confidence and realise these benefits in future. This would be in the best interests of the UK and our partners across Europe.
Jamie Arrowsmith
Director, Universities UK International
Thomas Jørgensen, Director of Policy Coordination and Foresight at EUA, added that:
Erasmus+ is unique in its ability to connect people and institutions across borders. Full association of the UK will give universities across the continent greater scope to grow together, and it will open new opportunities for learners to broaden their skills, as well as their cultural and intellectual horizons.
Thomas Jørgensen
Director of Policy Coordination and Foresight, European Universities Association
About Universities UK
Universities UK (UUK) is the collective voice of 141 universities in the United Kingdom. As part of UUK, Universities UK International (UUKi) represents UK universities globally.
About European University Association
The European University Association (EUA) represents universities across Europe, with over 900 members and affiliates in 48 countries.