Networks
The University of Padua has joined several important international networks. The aim is to promote and implement international cooperation, stimulate dialogue among disciplines and develop joint projects in the field of education, foster cooperation among active groups with common interests, and encourage student, and teaching and technical-administrative staff exchanges.
Here are the networks the University of Padua has joined:
ARQUS - European University Alliance
The University of Padua is one of the founding members of the Arqus European Alliance, which currently brings together nine prestigious universities: Granada (Spain), Graz (Austria), Leipzig (Germany), Lyon1 (France), Maynooth (Ireland), Minho (Portugal), Padua (Italy), Vilnius (Lithuania), Wroclaw (Poland). In addition, the Alliance also comprises two associate partners: National University of Kyiv - Mohyla Academy (Ukraine) and Durham University (UK).
European Universities are the flagship initiative of the Erasmus+ Programme and represent the highest form of strategic cooperation between higher education institutions at European level. The initiative aims to establish European campuses where students can move freely and build a truly international study path, and defines a long-term strategy to achieve high levels of excellence in education, research and innovation through increasingly deep synergies between universities. There are currently 73 Alliances active in Europe, involving over 650 universities.
Arqus began its activities in 2019, as part of the first group of 17 funded Alliances. The University of Padua has actively contributed to the development of the Alliance since its inception, with a particular focus on inclusion and diversity, mobility and student engagement: Unipd coordinated and is currently co-leading the Work Packages / Working Groups at Alliance level which focus on these topics. The participation in the Alliance and the increasingly close collaboration between partner universities at all levels have made it possible to overcome bureaucratic obstacles, experiment with innovative practices in many areas of activity, exchange good practices, internationalise university structures and staff, share tools and develop joint strategies. The Alliance has also given a major boost to the establishment of Joint Programmes at Unipd, an increasingly strategic area for our University.
ASEA-UNINET
ASEAN European Academic University Network is a network of European and Southeast Asian universities. Founded in 1994 by universities in Austria, Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam, it has progressively expanded to involve other countries with the aim of promoting scientific collaboration between member institutions. In particular, within the network, joint research projects, joint research labs, scholarships for doctoral and post-doc students, seminars and conferences are promoted.
Coimbra Group
Formally constituted by Charter in 1987, the Coimbra Group is an association of European multidisciplinary universities of high international standard. The Group is committed to creating special academic and cultural ties in order to promote internationalisation, academic collaboration, and excellence in learning and research.
The Coimbra Group is organised in working groups dedicated to specific areas of the three main pillars: Research, Education, and Outreach. The Coimbra Group also aims to influence European education and research policy and develop best practice through mutual exchange of experience and information.
CUIA - Consorzio interUniversitario Italiano per l'Argentina
Funded by the Italian Ministry of Education, University and Research (MIUR), CUIA (Italian Interuniversity Consortium for Argentina) was set up in 2002 as a project for the internationalisation of the Italian university system. In 2004 the project turned into a consortium, gathering 27 Universities, to foster interuniversity relationship between Italy and Argentina.
CUIA aims at supporting joint research projects, encouraging study, research, and teaching mobility, especially at doctoral level, facilitating qualification recognition at all level of higher education in Italy and Argentina, and boosting interuniversity cooperation projects.
ESRUC – Eurasian Silk Road Universities Consortium
The ESRUC Consortium was established to enhance higher education and its key role in responding to challenges. The Consortium aims to involve and support institutions in better addressing the needs of a changing world, promote understanding and cultural diversity, and protect cultural heritage for academic development, while ensuring sustainability and reducing disparities among ESRUC member countries. In addition, the Consortium is committed to promoting intercultural exchanges and cultural activities to facilitate intercultural dialogue and bring together the Silk Road cultures towards peace and progress.
EUA - European University Association
Founded in 2001, the European University Association (EUA) is the result of the merger of the Association of European Universities and the Confederation of European Union Rectors' Conferences EUA. It represents more than 800 universities and national rectors’ conferences in over 48 European countries. EUA plays a crucial role in influencing EU higher education, research, and innovation policies.
As an EUA member, the University of Padua has the opportunity to share best practices by participating in projects, events, and other mutual learning activities involving a large number of universities.
Guangzhou International Sister-City Universities Alliance
The University of Padua is one of the founding universities. The alliance aims to strengthen the ties and exchanges between the international sister cities of Guangzhou and their local universities and to provide a platform for member universities to share international academic resources, encourage educational and scientific-technological cooperation, and promote urban development.
IAU - International Association of Universities
Founded in 1950, under the auspices of UNESCO, the International Association of Universities (IAU) is the world's leading association of higher education institutions and organizations around the world.
As a global forum for leaders of institutions and associations, IAU brings together more than 650 members from over 130 countries to identify, reflect and act on common priorities. It acts as the global voice of higher education for a wide range of international and intergovernmental organizations, especially UNESCO.
The IAU aims to be the most representative and influential global association in higher education by promoting a dynamic leadership role for higher education in society.
It also promotes collaboration between its Members by articulating the fundamental values and principles underlying the pursuit, dissemination and application of knowledge. The Association supports higher education policies and practices that respect diverse perspectives and promote social responsibility. With a particular emphasis on values and leadership and serving as a forum for sharing and joint action, IAU encourages innovation, mutual learning and cooperation between institutions.
International Coalition for Science, Research and Innovation in Ukraine
The International Coalition for Science, Research, and Innovation in Ukraine was officially launched in Rome today during the 2025 Ukraine Recovery Conference. The joint initiative by the Italian Ministry of University and Research, the Ukrainian Ministry of Education and Science, UNESCO and the European Commission, marks a significant step in placing science, research and innovation at the heart of Ukraine’s sustainable, inclusive and long-term recovery.
International Coalition for Science, Research and Innovation in Ukraine
MUR (Italian Ministry of University and Research) factsheet on the Coalition
SAR - Scholars at Risk network
Scholars at Risk (SAR) is an international network of higher education institutions, founded in 1999. It promotes academic freedom and protects scholars who are risking their lives or whose jobs are at stake. It also defends the rights of the academic community by offering lecturers, researchers, and scholars facing serious threats temporary asylum at its member universities and institutions.
The University of Padua is a member of SAR Italy, a partnership between Italian higher education institutions and research centres established to support all academic staff tackling restrictions on academic freedom and curbs on research, teaching, and training activities. SAR Italy lays its working principles on sharing information and good practices, cooperating on protection and advocacy activities, and organising awareness events.
T.I.M.E. – Top International Managers in Engineering
The T.I.M.E. Association focuses on engineering education and brings together 53 prestigious technical universities and engineering schools across 21 countries. Its members have a strong international dimension in research, teaching and industrial relations and are all committed to international cooperation, student mobility, and recognition of studies abroad.
One of the goals of the T.I.M.E. Association is to offer, through bilateral agreements, double degree programme opportunities in Engineering at Master's degree level.
UniAdrion - Association of universities and research centres of the Adriatic-Ionian area
UniAdrion is a network of universities and research centres in the Adriatic-Ionian Region set up in 2000 to establish a permanent connection among these institutions. UniAdrion aims to promote the collaboration between universities and research centres by strengthening international cooperation and fostering the development of culture, science, and research. The association and its 40 members encourage joint educational initiatives such as mobility, research projects, seminars, lectures, summer schools, and post-graduate diplomas.
UNIMED - Mediterranean Universities Union
UNIMED - Mediterranean Universities Union, founded in October 1991, is an association of 127 Universities from across 23 countries of the Mediterranean. It promotes academic research and education in order to contribute to scientific, cultural, social, and economic cooperation.
UNIMED has developed several collaborations and partnerships to boost the internationalisation of universities, study, research, and teaching mobility and the enhancement and preservation of cultural heritage. Through conferences, seminars, and forums at national and international level, and training of Universities teaching and non-teaching staff, UNIMED has become a point of reference for international university cooperation.
VIU – Venice International University
Venice International University, founded in 1995 by Ca' Foscari University of Venice, is a consortium of 20 universities from all over the world with an autonomous campus on the island of San Servolo, Venice, Italy. The mission of VIU is to foster cooperation among its member institutions by offering students and teaching staff from all over the world training opportunities in an international context, while facilitating the exchange of knowledge and ideas and promoting and organising academic, research, and training/capacity-building programmes.
VIU thereby contributes to and is an integral part of the internationalisation strategies of its member organisations.
https://www.unipd.it/viu-venice-international-university
https://www.univiu.org
Projects and Mobility Office
International Relations Division
Palazzo Anselmi
Lungargine del Piovego 1 - 35131 Padua, Italy
international.projects@unipd.it
