European Commission has approved 5 million Euro funding: VU will implement International Alliance projects

The European Commission (EC) today approved funding for the ARQUS European University Alliance. Vilnius University (VU) is one of the founders of this Alliance.

5 million euros funding will be allocated to the Alliance's activities and main priorities – to enhance competitiveness of the high-standard European Universities and to improve studies’ quality. In total 48 applications were submitted in order to receive EC funding of which 17 were approved.

Rector of VU Prof. Artūras Žukauskas says that approved funding is extremely important for the whole region. “International collaboration with academic leaders is the way to achieve exceptional quality results. Nowadays we have to learn to work synergistically; in fact, ARQUS European University Alliance establishment was a critical breakthrough for such purpose. After EC has approved 5 million Euro funding, we can implement planned projects which will feel entire academia”, – states Rector of Vilnius University Artūras Žukauskas.

ARQUS European University Alliance initiative has begun two years ago when seven European Universities with extensive experience in research signed a cooperation Memorandum. It is an initiative designed to share the best practices of the seven institutions in their teaching, research, outreach and civic engagement missions.

It is expected that Alliance will become a leading model of integration for other European Universities.

Universities of Granada (Spain), Graz (Austria), Leipzig (Germany), Padova (Italy), Lyon (France), Bergen (Norway) and Vilnius University (Lithuania) are members of the ARQUS European University Alliance. Moreover, every university-member has defined responsibilities. For instance, VU is taking care of high quality student-orientated studies.

Part of 5 million Euro received funding from EC, VU will invest to the international projects related to pedagogical competencies and studies’ quality.