07.01.2021

Pompeu Fabra University joins The Guild of European Research-Intensive Universities

Pompeu Fabra University (Spain) has been admitted as the twenty-first member of The Guild of European Research-Intensive Universities.

Just three decades old, Pompeu Fabra University (UPF) has swiftly conquered a notable position among the best universities in Europe and the world. Named after Pompeu Fabra i Poch (1868 – 1948), engineer and grammarian who consolidated and systematised the Catalan language, the university was created in 1990 driven by the ambition to strengthen academic excellence and contribute to the development of society. Still at the core of its mission today, these aims guide UPF’s innovative teaching model addressing over 12,000 students, whilst reinforcing its commitment to tackling global challenges through the institution’s multidisciplinary expertise.

Delighted with UPF’s membership of The Guild, Rector Jaume Casals considers that “being part of The Guild is a clear statement of UPF’s drive to internationalisation and cooperation with some of Europe’s leading universities. Through The Guild we will leverage our excellence in teaching and research – both crucial to enhancing UPF’s capacity to address societal challenges – by sitting at the heart of social and cultural progress and policy debates that shape the future of Europe’s Higher Education research and innovation landscape”.

In extending their offer of membership, The Guild’s Presidents were impressed by the University’s very strong performance against all the membership criteria. Ranked 10th young university worldwide by the Times Higher Education Global Rankings (2021), Pompeu Fabra University is ranked as the top University in the Iberian Peninsula. Presidents were also inspired by UPF’s capture of European research-funding, particularly in breakthrough research, as UPF is the most successful Spanish institution in obtaining European Research Council (ERC) since 2014.

Vincent Blondel, Chair of The Guild, said: “We are extremely pleased to expand further the geographical diversity of The Guild with a member from the Iberian Peninsula. Pompeu Fabra University brings to The Guild a particular experience of achieving global distinction in research, teaching and public impact in a very short time, across the entire disciplinary spectrum. Four years since its creation, The Guild is now fully grown, at 21!” Following its creation in 2016 with 18 members, The Guild admitted the University of Bern in 2017 and Babeș-Bolyai University in 2020, bringing together research excellence from some the best universities from across the European continent. By welcoming Pompeu Fabra  University as The Guild’s twenty-first member, The Guild reiterates a commitment to representing Europe’s academic institutions, its students and researchers, in a comprehensive and thoughtful manner.

Jan Palmowski, Secretary-General of The Guild, commented: “Pompeu Fabra enriches The Guild as a young, comprehensive university that has managed to establish an outstanding reputation in a short period of time. It adds to the diversity of our membership – of universities founded in the medieval period to universities established in living memory – that all share a commitment to academic excellence in teaching and research, and a dedication to society – we look forward to working with colleagues from UPF!”

Press release by The Guild of European Research-Intensive Universities