The agreement will lead to the setting up of a European Centre for Advanced Studies to be based in Leuphana. It will aim to assist with ‘the advancement of science, research and education’ with a mixture of joint courses, research collaborations, and student and staff exchanges.
Professor Sir Anton Muscatelli said, "I am absolutely delighted to sign this agreement with our friends and partners in Lüneburg. The creation of a European Centre for Advanced Studies builds upon existing collaborations between our institutions and will allow for even closer relationships going forward. We know that working together can produce more effective and more impactful research and with Brexit on the horizon it is essential that we continue to be heavily involved in successful collaborations. This new European Centre for Advanced Studies is an important milestone for both the University of Glasgow and Leuphana University."
Professor Sascha Spoun said, "We are extremely pleased to sign this agreement with our friends and partners from Glasgow. Building on academic areas in each of the two universities and on existing successful collaborations, the creation of the European Centre for Advanced Studies will significantly increase our joint research activities. Furthermore, it brings the opportunity to send out a strong political signal for the idea of Europe and the future development of academia in times of Brexit. We are convinced that the Centre has a great potential to promote the integration of Scotland and Lower Saxony through the inclusion of regional networks and activities, which will bring about a prosperous ex-change of know-how and ideas and create additional added value for both sides."
Both the Principal of the University of Glasgow and the President of Leuphana University also held talks with Dr Sabine Johannsen, State Secretary for Science and Culture of the German State of Lower Saxony on how to further deepen educational links between Scotland and Northern Germany.
The University of Glasgow is the fourth-oldest university in the English-speaking world and is ranked in the top 1% of universities globally. Therefore, Leuphana Vice President for Internationalisation and initiator of the Centre, Professor Jörg Philipp Terhechte, is very pleased about the cooperation’s intensification: "With the University of Glasgow we have a first-class partner for the further internationalisation and the overall development of Leuphana University at our side. The European Centre for Advanced Studies will bring together outstanding scientists for excellent research projects."
