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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 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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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 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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More Erasmus+ funds for academic mobility with non-European countries

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Alianza 4 Universidades (A4U) has secured 367,710 Euros of Erasmus+ funding in 2022. These funds will help continue student and staff exchange between 4 member universities of A4U (Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Universidad Carlos III de Madrid and Universitat Pompeu Fabra in Barcelona) and 53 partner universities in 13 countries: Russia, South Africa, Iran, Indonesia, Vietnam, Botswana, Kenia, Ethiopia, Ivory Coast, Namibia, India, Malaysia and Thailand.

Since 2015 A4U was awarded a total of nearly 2 million Euros of Erasmus+ funding, which enabled the exchange of almost 500 staff and students from A4U and its partner universities, with almost 90 more being planned for 2023-2024 academic year. 

As a result of the exchange, students improve their language and intercultural skills, increase their confidence and gain international experience that counts towards their qualification. A research stay abroad can help doctoral students jumpstart their career. 

Elizaveta Cherepovskaia is a Linguistics student of the Southern Federal University in Russia who visited the Universidad Autónoma de Barcelona in 2021. She relates: “Erasmus+ academic stay helped me greatly in all aspects of life. It enhanced my studies. I had never experienced how it feels to be an international student, cooperate with people from different countries, solve daily-life issues abroad speaking only foreign languages. Erasmus+ stay was the best period of my life that changed my mindset radically. I would certainly recommend others to consider going on Erasmus+ exchange.”

Staff also benefit from exchange as they learn and share best practice and have a chance to have a first-hand experience of a different educational system.

Dr Marcos Rodriguez Millan from the Polytechnic school of Universidad Carlos III de Madrid visited the Indian Institute of Technology of Delhi in India in 2019. He says: “The stay allowed me to learn about other research and teaching methodologies. I was able to share teachings with students from different countries close to India. It allowed me to establish new links with the researchers of the university.  I was able to produce a joint research paper and I am still in contact with them. The researchers showed me a portion of their culture in addition to their methodologies and potential synergies, which was personally very enriching.”

Students from disadvantaged backgrounds are welcome to take part in the programme and may receive top-up grants.

Through participation in Erasmus+ programme, universities have opportunities to forge cooperation in teaching and research, attract talent and increase the number of international students and staff, which in turn contributes to their diversity and internationalisation.

A compilation of stories from previous Erasmus+ participants can be consulted here.

More non-European countries available for Erasmus+ exchange

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Prof. Fernando Camacho Padilla of Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, during his stay at Allameh Tabataba’i University, Iran

In 2020 Alianza 4 Universidades (A4U) has once more been successful in securing Erasmus+ funding for student and staff exchange with non-European countries. This year the scope of the programme has been increased and 49 partner universities in 10 countries, Russia, South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Iran, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam, are now part of the scheme.

The inclusion of new partner universities is possible thanks to the ongoing support of the Spanish Institute of Foreign Trade, a governmental agency that co-finances A4U institutional visits. During these visits A4U representatives establish links with the leading universities, researchers have the possibility to know each other and explore possibilities of cooperation in teaching and research. Due to COVID-19 pandemic, the visits in 2020 took place online.

Since 2015 A4U has been awarded a total of 1.644.103 Euros of Erasmus+ funds, which has enabled the exchange of almost 500 staff and students from A4U and its partner universities. Funds obtained in 2020 will be used to support mobilities during 2021-2022 and 2022-2023 academic years. The calls for applications are now open and applications can be submitted via A4U webpage.

As a result of the exchange, students improve their language and inter-cultural skills, increase their confidence and gain international experience that counts towards their qualification. A research stay abroad can help doctoral students jumpstart their career. Staff also benefit from exchange as they learn and share best practice and have a chance to have a first-hand experience of a different educational system.

Through participation in Erasmus+ programme, universities have opportunities to forge cooperation in teaching and research, attract talent and increase the number of international students and staff, which in turn contributes to their diversity and internationalisation.

Erasmus+ continues during COVID-19 pandemic and mobilities can take place as and when the health situation and travel restrictions in the sending and receiving countries allow it.

Check Erasmus+ stories of exchange participants on https://alliance4universities.eu/en/erasmus-stories/

More Erasmus+ funds for academic mobility with non-European countries

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Alianza 4 Universidades (A4U) has secured 247.050,00 Euros of Erasmus+ funding in 2019. These funds will help continue student and staff exchange between 4 universities members of A4U (Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Universidad Carlos III de Madrid and Universitat Pompeu Fabra in Barcelona) and 27 partner universities in 4 countries: Russia, South Africa, Iran and Indonesia, and Vietnam*.

Since 2015 A4U was awarded a total of 1.302.093,00 Euros of Erasmus+ funds, which enabled the exchange of 328 staff and students from A4U and its partner universities, with 17 more being planned for 2020-2021 academic year.

As a result of the exchange, students improve their language and inter-cultural skills, increase their confidence and gain international experience that counts towards their qualification. A research stay abroad can help doctoral students jumpstart their career.

Viktoriia Khodyreva, a Bachelor student in Applied Mathematics and Informatics at Higher School of Economics spent a semester studying at Universidad Carlos III de Madrid. She says: “Erasmus definitely helped me to become more confident academically. I had an opportunity to study in a different environment, to try new courses and to experience life abroad.  What is more, I made good contacts useful in my career and while travelling: I have friends all over the world”.

Staff also benefit from exchange as they learn and share best practice and have a chance to have a first-hand experience of a different educational system.

Dr Maxim Anikeev, a Lecturer in Computer Security at Southern Federal University in Rostov-on-Don who visited Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, says: “Delivering classes abroad is a great experience. I would totally recommend it to all university teachers. This is a chance to bring your teaching materials to an audience with an unfamiliar background.  This is also a great insight into the higher education system of another country. I established contacts with several colleagues from UAB and hope we will have a chance to submit a joint grant proposal.”

Through participation in Erasmus+ programme, universities have opportunities to forge cooperation in teaching and research, attract talent and increase the number of international students and staff, which in turn contributes to their diversity and internationalisation.

Check more Erasmus+ stories of exchange participants on https://alliance4universities.eu/en/erasmus-stories/

*Universities that take part in A4U Erasmus+ programme

Russia: Lomonosov Moscow State University, Higher School of Economics, Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration (RANEPA), Moscow Power Engineering Institute, Russian State University for the Humanities, North-West Institute of Management branch of RANEPA (St. Petersburg), St. Petersburg State Polytechnic University, Southern Federal University.

South Africa: University of Pretoria, University of the Witwatersrand, Stellenbosch University, University of Cape Town, University of the Western Cape, and University of the Free State.

Iran: University of Tehran, Allameh Tabataba’i University, Amirkabir University of Technology.

Indonesia: Universitas Indonesia, Institute of Technology of Bandung, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Universitas Airlangga, BINUS University, Telkom University, Universitas Muhammadiyah Yogyakarta.

Vietnam: Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam National University in Hanoi, and Hanoi University of Science and Technology.


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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