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Scientific excellence of the A4U: with 6% of the teaching and research staff, A4U contributes more than 17% of the publications and receives more than 23% of the citations, according to the IUNE Report.

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The report on the scientific activity of the universities of the 4U Alliance has been prepared using data from the IUNE 2025 Observatory, which corresponds to the period of scientific activity 2014-2023.

Read more: Scientific excellence of the A4U: with 6% of the teaching and research staff, A4U contributes more than 17% of the publications and receives more than 23% of the citations, according to the IUNE Report.

We highlight the following conclusions:

  • Regarding WOS publications (Main collection), A4U makes a large contribution to the Spanish University System (SUE) in all indicators; for example, with 6% of the faculty it contributes 17.39% of SUE publications and receives 23.59% of citations.
  • A4U’s international collaboration is high and growing. In 2023, 59.76% of its publications are in international collaboration (compared to 54.89% of SUE).
  • In relation to compliance with open access policies, the AU4 presents a very high level (74.61%) and a growing trend.
  • In terms of attracting funding per permanent teaching and research staff, the A4U is highly competitive, with its universities ranking among the top universities in the SUE in both the Spanish R&i Funding Program and in H2020.

The IUNE Observatory is a good source of information for analyzing the scientific activity of Spanish universities. In the case of the A4U universities, it provides precise information on the characteristics of the research activity of the Spanish universities.

A4U Strengthens Its Presence in Asia Through Its Institutional Mission to India During the APAIE 2025 Conference

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Internationalization continues to be one of the fundamental strategic pillars of the Alliance 4 Universities (A4U). In line with its commitment to strengthening its global outreach, A4U carried out an institutional mission to India to coincide with the Asia Pacific Association for International Education (APAIE 2025) conference, held in New Delhi.

This mission, framed within A4U’s joint internationalization strategy, had as its main objective the strengthening and deepening of already established relationships with strategic partners in India, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, and Indonesia. In addition, it aimed to expand A4U’s network of collaboration with key institutions in the region, such as the Instituto Cervantes and the Embassy of Spain in India.

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The UAM hosts the conference ‘The Spain-Africa Strategy 2025-2028 and its implications for Spanish universities’ organised by the A4U.

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On 1 April, the Autonomous University of Madrid (UAM) hosted the conference ‘The Spain-Africa Strategy 2025-2028 and its implications for Spanish universities’ organised by the Alliance 4 Universities, a key event to analyse the impact of international mobility and research. At this event, institutional representatives, academics and experts discussed the challenges and opportunities posed by this strategic framework for university cooperation.

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A4U Annual Assembly: 2024 report and 2025 Action plan approved

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On 11 March, the General Assembly of the A4U was held at the UPF Barcelona, chaired by the Rector of the UPF, Dr Laia de Nadal, and with the Rector of the UAM (Amaya Mendikoetxea Pelayo), the Rector of the UAB (Javier Lafuente Sancho) and the Rector of the UC3M (Ángel Arias). Also in attendance were the Heads of Cabinet, Vice-Rectors for Teaching, Internationalisation, Research and Transfer/Innovation.

Read more: A4U Annual Assembly: 2024 report and 2025 Action plan approved

During the assembly, the results of the 3 joint A4U degrees, the results of the mobilities and international missions and the results of the OPERA activity and participation in Horizon Europe were presented.

Regarding the results of the 3 joint degrees of the A4U, we continue with good results of demand, especially highlighting the Degree in Philosophy, Politics and Economics, with cut-off marks above 12 (out of 14) and the ratio of supply vs. demand above 300%.

In the field of internationalisation, the A4U’s capacity to attract funds from the Erasmus+ programme was highlighted, obtaining more than 2 million euros to date, which has facilitated the mobility of more than 600 people to and from more than 15 countries outside the EU. The Mission to South Africa was also highlighted, where relations with strategic partners were strengthened and the First Spanish-South African Universities Symposium, entitled ‘Global Health at a Crossroad’, was held.

In addition, some preliminary results of the IUNE Report for the Alliance were presented. From this report we highlight that the teaching and research staff of the A4U universities (representing 6% of the Spanish University System – SUE) publish 17% of the total scientific publications of the SUE and receive 24% of the citations (Wos Indicators (Core Collection) – 2014 – 2023). In addition, our universities occupy the top positions in Spain in the indicator for attracting resources per teaching and research staff, both in the Spanish R&i Plan and in H2020. The full report will be published soon.

From OPERA’s report, the very positive results of participation in Horizon Europe were highlighted, with special emphasis on Pillars 1 and 2. During this 2024, the universities of the Alliance have raised 72 million euros in 143 projects of Horizon Europe.

Also the different visits to Brussels, as well as the meetings with different personalities of the moment. Finally, the Activity Plan 2025 and the budget were presented and approved.

Before the Assembly, the Vice-Rectors for Research and Innovation presented their strategies to the counterpart Vice-Rectors, in order to share good practices, ideas and look for synergies. Then, OPERA’s Director (Ignasi Salvado Estivill) explained them the current geopolitical situation (vision from Brussels), explaining the possible impacts for the universities of the EU Competitiveness Compass, the Clean Industrial Deal, and The Union of Skills. He also presented in detail the Business Plan 2025 and the associated budget.

OPERA is theA4U’s Office for the Promotion of the European Research Activities, based in Brussels since 2009.

A4U Research and Innovation Delegates Meet in Brussels to Strategize for the Future Following EU Competitiveness Compass Publication

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From February 24th to 26th, a delegation from Alianza 4 Universidades (A4U) convened in Brussels to delve into the most pressing topics in Research and Innovation (R&I). The delegation included Vice-Rectors for Research and Innovation, Directors of R&I, and Heads of EU Grants Offices from the four universities that comprise A4U: the Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB), the Autonomous University of Madrid (UAM), Carlos III University of Madrid (UC3M), and Pompeu Fabra University (UPF).

The meeting began with a warm welcome from Elena Domínguez, the CSIC delegate in Brussels. Montserrat Badia Serrano (EC – DG RTD) provided insights into the European Commission’s preparations for the next R&I Framework Program. Slaven Misljenčević (EC – DG RTD) then outlined the strategy for consolidating EU-level initiatives to attract and retain scientific talent through the ERA Talent Platform. Agustín Calvo highlighted the EC’s efforts to establish a pan-European pension fund for mobile researchers, known as the RESAVER program.

The agenda continued with interactive sessions led by Mila Bas and Josefina Enfedaque on the European Research Council (ERC), followed by a session on the European Innovation Council (EIC) with Ewa Kocińska-Lange. While A4U universities have achieved notable success in ERC grants, the focus now is on improving performance in EIC initiatives to amplify the societal impact of their research. Catherine Berens delivered a practical session on shaping the next Life Sciences Strategy.

Marina Martínez (SOST-CDTI) addressed the political developments impacting universities and their R&I activities, proposing actionable steps to ensure proactive engagement. Additionally, Dirk de Craemer (UGhent) shared organizational best practices in research management, offering valuable insights into Ghent University’s internal structures and strategies.

The meeting was organized by A4U’s Office for the Promotion of European Research Activities (OPERA) at the CSIC facilities in Brussels.

About Alianza 4 Universidades (A4U):
A4U is a strategic alliance of four leading Spanish public universities: the Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB), the Autonomous University of Madrid (UAM), Carlos III University of Madrid (UC3M), and Pompeu Fabra University (UPF). Established to strengthen collaboration, A4U aims to enhance the research profiles of its member universities, foster internationalization, and promote mobility for students, faculty, and researchers. The alliance also prioritizes quality teaching, interuniversity degree programs, and online training.

In 2009, A4U launched OPERA to support its universities in securing European research funding and influencing R&D policy. OPERA’s objectives include:

  • Enhancing the competitiveness of A4U research at European and international levels.
  • Identifying new funding opportunities and policies relevant to A4U universities.
  • Influencing European R&D and innovation policymaking.
  • Providing personalized support in Brussels for researchers involved in European projects.

Participants from A4U Universities:
Vice-Rectors: Vanesa Daza (UPF), Cristina Pujades (UPF), Daniel Jaque (UAM), Maite Blázquez (UAM), Assumpció Malgosa (UAB), Rosa M. Sebastián (UAB), Guillermo Carpintero (UC3M).
Directors: Iván Martínez (UAB), Núria Claver (UAB), Clara Gómez (UAM), Rafa Oliveros (UAM), Eva Martín (UPF), Regina García (UAM), Cristina Velasco (UC3M), Mònica de Forn (UPF), Ana Sagardoy (UPF), Chelo Morán (UC3M), Isabel Ballesteros (UC3M), Florencia Giunta (UC3M).

Institutional mission to South Africa 2024

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During this mission, the A4U delegation visited six South African universities: the University of Stellenbosch, the University of the Western Cape, the University of Cape Town, the University of the Witwatersrand, the University of Pretoria and the Free State University. These meetings explored various forms of collaboration, including academic mobility programmes, joint research projects and the possibility of strengthening partnerships in key areas such as sustainability, social justice and artificial intelligence.

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Institutional mission to South Africa 2024

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Alliance 4 Universities (A4U) strengthens cooperation with South Africa to boost mobility and research

The Alliance 4 Universities (A4U) , has carried out a mission to South Africa in October 2024 with the purpose of strengthening academic cooperation and promoting new mobility opportunities for the university community of the member institutions; the Autonomous University of Madrid (UAM), the Carlos III University of Madrid (UC3M), the Pompeu Fabra University (UPF) and the Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB). The delegation was led by the vice-rectors for internationalisation of the four universities, together with the A4U coordinator, who met with several South African academic institutions.

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UAM hosts a seminar on climate change

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During the works of the Conference of Parties (COP) 28 on Climate Change (Dubai 2023), it was recognized that culture, from arts to heritage, has a fundamental role to play in helping people to imagine and to realize low carbon, just, climate resilient futures and that culture has unparalleled capacity for enabling a powerfully inclusive response to create the systemic change needed to tackle the climate crisis.

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The A-4U strengthens collaboration ties with the Cervantes Institute

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Last January, the A-4U signed a new framework agreement with the Cervantes Institute to express the will of both signees to collaborate in the creation of joint actions to develop and strenghten the learning of Spanish as a foreign language and the internationalization of Spanish higher education.

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The Alliance of 4 Universities (A-4U) and the Cervantes Institute organize a seminar of Spanish Language and Culture in Kenya

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The Alliance of 4 Universities (A-4U) and the Cervantes Institute organize a seminar of Spanish Language and Culture in Kenya

Within its strategic framework for internationalization, the Alliance of 4 Universities has organized from the 23 to the 25 of October 2023 a seminar about Spanish language and culture in Kenia together with the Cervantes Institute, the Spanish Embassy in Kenya and the United States International University-Africa.

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The Alianza 4 Universidades (A4U) project has been funded by Erasmus+ programme of the European Union. This publication reflects the views of only A4U. Erasmus+ programme or the Spanish National Agency for the Internationalisation of Education (SEPIE) cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.

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