The Arqus Rectors’ Council expresses its support for the candidacy of Granada to be the European Capital of Culture 2031 at its 14th Arqus Rectors’ Council meeting

Yesterday, 19 February, the rectors of the Arqus universities or their delegates met online for the 14th Arqus Rectors’ Council meeting. Chaired by President Eeva Leinonen of Maynooth University, the meeting focused on key topics for the mid and long-term strategy of the Alliance. One of the main points of the meeting was the motion made to support the candidacy of Granada as the European Capital of Culture 2031, coinciding with the V Centenary of the University of Granada.

The meeting started with a brief update by the Alliance Coordinator, Dorothy Kelly, on diverse issues related to the European Universities Initiative, the Polish presidency of the Council of the European Union, the European Degree and the FOREU4ALL Community of Practice.

Internal issues such as the mid-term review, the possible future legal identity for Arqus, the bridge funding 2026-28 and the amendments of the Arqus Governing Principles and Provisions were also discussed.

As a highlight of the meeting, a motion was made to support the candidacy of Granada as the European Capital of Culture 2031, coinciding with the V Centenary of the University of Granada. The City of Granada has announced its candidacy to become the European Capital of Culture in the year 2031, when it will be the turn of Spain and Malta to be the two countries hosting this European Union initiative. The year 2031 also marks the V Centenary of the foundation of the University of Granada. The University of Granada is working in close collaboration with the City Hall in the preparation of the bid, for which former UGR Rector Pilar Aranda is one of the three official Commissioners.

The next Arqus Rectors’ Council meeting will be held in April at the 2025 Arqus Annual Conference in Leipzig. Preparations are well underway. The three panels planned will address the issues of governance and legal entity, digital infrastructure and services, and the research dimension. As has been custom with NUK Mohyla Academy, Durham University members have also been invited to join the conference as the new associate university partner.

*The picture of this article corresponds to rectors and delegates that met at the 2024 Arqus Annual Conference held in Braga.