Nicolaus Copernicus University (UMK) in Toruń is the first Polish university to join the Young European Research Universities Network (YERUN) association. Together with 22 other universities from across Europe, it will participate in shaping European policies on research, innovation and education.

The YERUN network was established in 2016 as an association of young European universities with similar goals and values, such as openness, responsibility and inclusivity. The association’s core mission is to shape a higher education environment in which young universities have a real impact on its role and character.

“We believe that UMK can contribute to the fulfilment of YERUN’s mission by representing the perspective of a Polish university and also by strengthening cooperation in outstanding research and educational activities. Our strategy includes, among its main goals, engagement with society, both locally and in Europe. In this time of recent crisis, it is more important than ever to be united within the European academic community”, says the rector of Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, Professor Andrzej Sokala.

In addition to the Toruń university, the association includes: University of Rijeka, Université Paris Dauphine-PSL, UiT – The Arctic University of Norway, Universität Ulm, University of Essex, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, University of Eastern Finland, Universität Konstanz, University of Cyprus, Syddansk Universitet, University of Stirling, University of South-Eastern Norway, Maastricht University, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Brunel University London, Universität Bremen, Tor Vergata University of Rome, Universidad Carlos III de Madrid, University of Limerick, University of Klagenfurt, University of Potsdam, University of Antwerp.

Arkadiusz Słomczyński