Simon Fraser University is proud to be the first Canadian member of the Aurora European Universities network, an alliance of research-intensive universities who are driving societal change and contributing to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals through academic excellence.
Like SFU, member universities of the Aurora network share a commitment to creating social impact, advancing entrepreneurship and innovation, and have a history of deep engagement with their communities.
(l-r) University of Innsbruck Rector Veronika Sexl, SFU VPRI Dugan O'Neil and Aurora European Universities Secretary General Ramon Puras
SFU also signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the University of Innsbruck, (UIBK), one of Austria's leading research institutions. SFU and UIBK share research strengths in emerging technologies like quantum and AI, as well as in humanities, and both have a strong focus on advancing research for the greater good of society.
Through the Aurora membership and the MOU with UIBK, SFU will have the opportunity to collaborate on research and educational partnerships within the Aurora consortium as well as within the Horizon Europe framework the world's largest research and innovation funding program.
"SFU is committed to collaboration across borders as we help build solutions to the global challenges affecting us all," says SFU President Joy Johnson. "Membership in the Aurora European Universities network allows us to pursue exciting partnerships with leading institutions in Europe, including the University of Innsbruck. I look forward to future partnerships that strengthen our international engagement while furthering our research and innovation impact."
"Strengthening our relationship with SFU is a major milestone in expanding our global partner network, for both Aurora and the University of Innsbruck," says UIBK Rector Veronika Sexl. "We share not only values and visions but also many thematic intersections and opportunities for growth. United by our mission to build bridges and positively shape societal change, we are reinforcing transatlantic cooperation during challenging times."
A European delegation that included Aurora European Universities Secretary General Ramon Puras, UIBK Rector Veronika Sexl, and Technical University of Vienna Rector Jens Schneider, met with vice-president research and innovation (VPRI) Dugan O'Neil and SFU faculty members at the Burnaby campus on Wednesday.
The delegation was formally welcomed at the First People's Gathering House, and were treated to a campus tour, which included a visit to SFU's Cedar Supercomputing Centre.
"We are very excited to join the Aurora network and sign the MOU with UIBK," adds VPRI Dugan O'Neil. "European and Canadian universities have much in common and we are looking forward to advancing research that shares our values and goals."
SFU was delighted to welcome a delegation from the Aurora European Universities network, the University of Innsbruck and the Technical University of Vienna to the Burnaby campus
