The Coimbra Group

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European integration, in its academic and higher education aspect, involves increased bilateral and multilateral contacts among universities, as well as the creation of formal networks and institutions. There are several European university networks which promote the development of common research programmes, promote the development of mobility programmes for staff and students, and facilitate co-operation in all aspects of academic life. One of the best known networks of this type, is the Conference of European Rectors (CRE), which provides an important forum for contacts and the exchange of views, and assists with co-ordinating the actions of the directors of higher learning institutions.

There are also university networks, such as the Utrecht Network or the Coimbra Group, which are established according to specific criteria. The Coimbra Group, for example, was designed to strengthen co-operation among universities in the process of European integration. The Group was established in 1985, and took its name from one of the oldest universities in Europe, the University of Coimbra. Coincidentally, the University of Coimbra celebrated its 700th anniversary that same year.

The main idea which led to the establishment of the Group, was to create a network of traditional European universities that combine academic excellence of teaching and research with commitment, while promoting free thinking, unrestrained exchange of views, and involvement in social and cultural development. Invitations were primarily extended to old universities located in relatively small towns where the university plays a leading role in the community, thus creating a university town with all its characteristic features. As a rule, capital city universities were not included in the Group, though there were some exceptions. Initially, only universities from the European Communities member states were included: The Coimbra Group saw itself as a network within which universities would develop co-operation in many dimensions. Following the example of medieval university scholars who travelled freely from one learning centre to another to find knowledge, gain experience and create a borderless community of scholars, the Coimbra Group emphasised the importance of staff and student mobility in order to overcome parochialism and contribute to the development of a trans-European academic community.

The Coimbra Group is a network and an organisation, but one which allows for full autonomy of members. Member universities always have the right to remain passive even if others take a collective action. Members also have the right to abstain, and the right to pursue separate policy and develop their own traditions in their own way. For example, there is a great diversity in teaching style among members of the Coimbra Group and this has some influence on student exchange programmes, yet no university has been asked to give up its traditional system. As long as teaching standards are equivalent and the curricula is compatible, the Group perceives diversity as a value because it provides a chance for students to broaden their experience.

Currently, there are 33 members of the Coimbra Group: Aarhus, Barcelona, Bergen, Bologna, Bristol, Budapest, Caen, Cambridge, Coimbra, Trinity College Dublin, Edinburgh, Galway, Gottingen, Granada, Graze, Groningen, Heidelberg, Jena. Krakow. Leiden, Leuven, Louvain, Montpellier, Oxford, Pavia, Poitiers, Praga, Salamanca, Siena, Thessaloniki, Turku, Uppsala, Wurtzburg.

The first contact between the Jagiellonian University and the Coimbra Group occurred in June 1991, shortly after the Tempus scheme was established by the European Communities, and following the opening of Central and Eastern Europe which revealed the need to modernise higher education--especially in the view of envisaged membership by some of the post-communist EC states. In the summer of 1991, the Coimbra Group invited some Central European universities to a meeting in Heidelberg and proposed to apply for a number of Tempus projects in which the Group's members universities would be partners. This was an excellent opportunity for the universities that were invited, because the Coimbra Group provided great intellectual and organisational potential that promised a successful result from the application, and the Group represented some of the very best and most prestigious universities in Europe. The action was indeed successful, and the Group won two of the biggest Tempus projects for a three year co-operation with Central European universities. This was the beginning of co-operation between Kraków and the Group, although most people at the Jagiellonian University were not yet aware of the Coimbra Group's existence or its association with Tempus.

In the year that followed, the Jagiellonian University was invited to Heidelberg where the Coimbra Group was holding its yearly General Assembly. It was proposed that Kraków, and two other Central European universities which met the criteria of membership for the Group would be invited as observers and would remain as associates until the process of European integration allowed them to become full members--presumably after their countries join the European Union. But as it turned out, the meeting in Heidelberg developed in its own, dramatic way. The three Central European universities were given the observer's status, while the universities of Montpellier, Jena and Uppsala, representing the countries already in the EU (or just about to join) were offered full membership. In a surprise move, the Rector of Heidelberg made as speech that strongly suggested the old and established universities of the Coimbra Group should not wait for politicians to make their decision, but should lead the process of European integration. He proposed to admit the three Eastern European universities immediately as full members. The decision was confirmed by vote.

From the beginning of its membership, the Jagiellonian University was an active participant in many programmes of the Group, and became an initiator and co-ordinator of co-operation between East and West. The Group acts mainly through task forces organised to develop various lines of activity. The Kraków representative to the Coimbra Group was a member of the Task Force for Central and Eastern Europe, and was elected chairman of that task force two years ago. Kraków is also very active in other task forces which deal with new European mobility programmes.

Many people ask what benefit does a member university gain through membership in the Coimbra Group and why universities should pay a fee to maintain the office in Brussels. First of all, membership in the Coimbra Group is a matter of prestige. A great number of universities wish to become members, yet the Group will not extend its membership beyond certain limits so that the organisation can still function efficiently. Therefore, the Group is perceived as an exclusive club. This is strengthened by the criteria of membership: Tradition, high quality, age, and excellence. Another benefit of the Group involves networks. The Coimbra Group is first of all a network of old, prestigious universities of Europe, with a wealth of contacts and co-operation--and from that, arises a significant opportunity for lobbying. The Coimbra Group often acts as a lobby dealing with European and other institutions important to the academic world.

There is, of course, strong co-operation among Group members when applying for research grants, initiating student and staff exchanges and creating internal organisations such as the new consulting unit. The Coimbra Group actively participates in European mobility programmes, initiating multilateral partnerships. First there was Erasmus, Lingua, and Commett, then Tempus and now Socrates. A few task forces develop co-operation with non-European universities. There are also activities which strengthen co-operation among Coimbra Group members. In addition to mobility and research co-operation, the Group promotes curricula development and teaching networks, a programme aiming at co-operation among centres of European studies, and an interesting initiative involving guest lecturer exchanges among member universities.

Membership in the Coimbra Group is extremely attractive to Central European universities. From the start, the Group was a "club" of universities in the European Union, and it still retains the character of a European organisation. The Group also includes at least one university from each EU country, and universities from countries such as Norway--which did not join the Union, but is generally treated as a European "insider". Most importantly, however, membership in the Coimbra Group is a symbol of belonging--a recognition of the contributions made to the European academic tradition and a recognition of the values, goals and principles shared with the rest of the European academic world. So from that point of view, membership in the Coimbra Group can be seen as a major step towards European integration for the selected Central European universities, especially since the invitation came at a moment when joining the EU seemed much more uncertain and distant than it does today.

There are numerous practical advantages which Central European universities may get from membership. The Coimbra Group may facilitate access to some European projects, through partnership and a kind of "corporate" participation, although many financial sources still remain closed. But it is perhaps most important simply to belong; to learn about the ways in which various institutions work, to meet people and establish strong contacts, and to be perceived as an insider, meeting all criteria for full participation, so that when Central European countries finally join the EU, some of their universities will already be inside the circles of European academic institutions.