The heads of national university associations in 24 European countries have released a joint statement calling for continued ¡°international cooperation and exchange¡± after last month¡¯s Brexit vote.

Following the UK referendum result on membership of the European Union, questions have been thrown up over the UK¡¯s continued participation in EU research frameworks, and UK academics have reported that this uncertainty has scuppered joint bids for funding.

The statement, signed by the presidents of the German Rector¡¯s Conference and the French Conference of University Presidents, along with many other leaders, does not explicitly mention the uncertainty over grant applications.

But it says: ¡°We are strongest when we tackle issues collaboratively, when we exchange ideas and people, and when we open our hearts and minds to new perspectives and new knowledge.¡±

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¡°The outcome of the UK's referendum on EU membership will mean a new relationship between the UK and the rest of Europe, but we will work together to ensure that the long-standing research and exchange relationships between Europe's universities continue, for the benefit of people across the continent."

Rolf Tarrach, president of the European University Association, also said that ¡°isolating the UK from European cooperation structures would not just have negative consequences for the UK, it would also undermine the profile and impact of European research more widely¡±.

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Dame Julia Goodfellow, president of Universities UK, said that it was a ¡°welcome statement¡± and reiterated that it was ¡°important that we get long-term guarantees that the UK will continue to benefit from opportunities to collaborate with partners on groundbreaking research¡±.

david.matthews@tesglobal.com