The Central Europe Leuven Strategic Alliance was established by seven universities, including Semmelweis University. The agreement laying down the foundations of the alliance was signed by the delegates of the seven universities during a ceremony at the Charles University in Prague. Semmelweis University was represented by Dr. Ágoston Szél, Rector and Dr. György Bagdy, Vice-Rector for Scientific Affairs. CELSA is made up of Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest University of Technology and Economics, the Czech Technical University in Prague, the University of Ljubljana, the Charles University in Prague and KU Leuven.
The aim of CELSA is to create an efficient cooperation between the member universities in the field of research, education and social service. Therefore, they will organise joint educational and research projects, exchange programmes and further investigate other possible forms of collaboration.
KU Leuven and Semmelweis University already signed a Memorandum of Understanding in February 2016, agreeing on working together on the realisation of joint international research and educational projects, which comply with the previously identified mutual areas of interest and which would be funded by grants from the European Union.
After signing the foundation document of CELSA, the so-called Prague Declaration was also signed in honour of the 700th anniversary of the birth of Charles IV, founder of Charles University in Prague.
“Since the beginning of their very existence, universities have always been important institutions in Europe. In the current globalized world, their role is by no means less important than before. In addition to science and research, the universities must be able to educate the people capable of a critical view of the world around, teach them to sort the overwhelming information and the ability to understand the world.”, said Charles University rector Tomáš Zima about the importance of the declaration.
DP
Photos: Attila Kovács – Semmelweis University
Charles University, International Relations Department
Translation: Ágnes Raubinek
