AAU has joined the League of European Research Universities, the Canadian U15, the United Kingdom’s Russell Group, the Japanese Research University 11, the German U15, and the Australian Group of Eight in signing on to the Leiden Principles on the role of research-intensive universities as the world emerges from the COVID-19 pandemic. The principles were finalized and adopted during a conference in Leiden last week to celebrate the 20th anniversary of LERU.
The principles reaffirm the 2013 Hefei Statement , which identified ten fundamental characteristics of research-intensive universities. The new statement looks ahead to how universities can continue to deliver solutions to some of the most pressing challenges facing our world in the post-pandemic world. It specifically identifies five principles that would prove critical in this endeavor – trust, diversity, openness, stewardship, and freedom. As the statement notes, these principles would “ensure the continued and valued contribution of research-intensive universities.” The statement outlines each principle in detail and commits AAU and our global partners to continue to collaborate on developing new treatments and interventions for diseases such as COVID-19; educate the next generation of leaders and researchers; create jobs and opportunities; and tackle global challenges including climate change.