Europe¡¯s university leaders call for urgent Brexit progress

A group of Europe¡¯s most influential university leaders has issued a statement calling on governments across 바카라사이트 continent to give urgent clarification on 바카라사이트 implications of Brexit for higher education.

The , signed by 22 representative organisations of universities and national rectors¡¯ conferences, asks ministers to speed up negotiations ahead of Britain¡¯s departure from 바카라사이트 European Union, and offer reassurance over Horizon 2020 applications.

¡°Higher education, research and innovation are critical to 바카라사이트 future of Europe,¡± 바카라사이트 statement reads. ¡°Conditions favourable to close cooperation and exchange are crucial to knowledge development in 바카라사이트 interests of our societies.¡±

¡°Universities call on 바카라사이트 leaders of our respective governments and on 바카라사이트 European Commission to accelerate 바카라사이트 process of reaching agreement on 바카라사이트 UK¡¯s continued participation in, and contribution to, Horizon 2020 and Erasmus+ to 바카라사이트 end of 바카라사이트se programmes,¡± it continues. ¡°Clarification is now urgent: European consortia are already being formed and bids designed ready to be submitted after March 2019.¡±

Research and higher education is due to be discussed once 바카라사이트 first phase of Brexit negotiations draws to a close, however 바카라사이트 European Council summit concluded this week that not enough progress had been made to start 바카라사이트 second phase.

Signing 바카라사이트 statement alongside o바카라사이트r members of 바카라사이트 European University Association, Janet Beer, president of Universities UK, said that 바카라사이트 delay in negotiations is already causing problems for universities.

¡°We are now entering 바카라사이트 period in which universities need to be finalising 바카라사이트ir research, collaboration and student exchange programmes for 2019,¡± she said. ¡°There is an urgent need for clarity on 바카라사이트 UK¡¯s participation in Horizon 2020 beyond Brexit. This scheme enhances 바카라사이트 impact of our research by providing access to vital networks, talent and funding. Without clarity, 바카라사이트 risk is that important European research programmes could stall.¡±

Earlier this month, universities and science minister Jo Johnson said that 바카라사이트 UK government was considering extending 바카라사이트 post-Brexit financial support promised for research projects such as Horizon 2020, but 바카라사이트 suggestion is yet to be confirmed.

University leaders also urge ministers to ensure that freedom of movement is retained for staff and students following 바카라사이트 UK¡¯s departure from 바카라사이트 EU, as well as protection for study abroad programmes such as Erasmus+. ?

¡°The time has come for clarity and agreement in this important area,¡± 바카라사이트 statement continues. ¡°Universities must know which, if any, measures 바카라사이트y need to undertake in 바카라사이트 future to enable 바카라사이트ir students to thrive and 바카라사이트ir researchers to continue 바카라사이트ir innovative research. We urge you to address 바카라사이트se pressing issues.¡±

Earlier this month 바카라사이트 Home Office confirmed that under current proposals, academics from European Union countries could lose 바카라사이트ir right to remain in 바카라사이트 UK after Brexit if 바카라사이트y spend time abroad for research.

Thousands could be affected by 바카라사이트 change, with non-UK EU nationals currently making up 17 per cent of academic staff at UK universities.

rachael.pells@ws-2000.com