Together with eleven other universities, six of them from EU countries and six from Ukraine, Georgia, and Moldova, the University of Cologne has founded the Eastern Partnership University Cluster (EPUC). The consortium of cooperating universities from the European Union and the Eastern Partnership countries will systematically expand cooperation in education, science, and research. The pilot project will initially run for three years and then be evaluated.
As EU universities, the network includes Charles University in Prague, the University of Milan, the University of Warsaw, the University of Cologne and Eötvös Loránd University in Budapest. Partner universities from associated countries are Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, Uzhhorod National University, the Ivan Franko National University of Lviv, Oles Honchar Dnipro National University, Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University, and the State University Moldova. The University of Cologne already cooperates intensively with two of these universities, Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv and Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University.
The Vice-Rector for International Affairs at the University of Cologne, Professor Dr Johanna Hey, commented on the cooperation: ‘We are pleased that we can intensify the existing connections with our long-standing Coimbra partner, Charles University, as well as our partners at Taras Shevchenko National University and Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University. Possibly, the cluster will lead to further successful international collaborations.’
The university partnership provides a fund for joint research projects as well as joint workshops and events. The presidency of the cluster will rotate. The project was initiated by Charles University in Prague, which wants to strengthen the development and integration of the Eastern Partnership states during the Czech EU presidency. In the future, the various institutions will jointly apply for EU grants, for example through Erasmus+ or Horizon Europe.
Media Contact:
Professor Dr Johanna Hey
Vice-Rector for International Affairs
+49 221 470 89293
prorektorat-internationales
verw.uni-koeln.de
Press and Communications Team:
Robert Hahn
+49 221 470 2396
r.hahnverw.uni-koeln.de