Closer cooperation between the University of Luxembourg and the EIB

The EIB and the University of Luxembourg have decided to strengthen and develop their cooperation. EIB President Werner Hoyer and the President of the University, Rolf Tarrach, signed on 13 June 2012 at the EIB’s head office a Memorandum of Understanding, governing all the activities developed by the two institutions in areas such as academic research, knowledge transfer through teaching and conferences, sharing of documentary resources, governance and social entrepreneurship. The conclusion of this Memorandum will enable the University and the EIB to enhance their cooperation in any field covered by their expertise. At the EIB, all such activities will be supervised by the EIB Institute. This collaboration has developed rapidly over the past few years. In 2008, the EIB decided to transfer its documentary resources to the University, and less than three years later, the “European Studies Library” opened its doors in May 2011, providing access to all the Bank’s collections of historic documents. At the signing of the Memorandum, EIB President Werner Hoyer emphasized the fact that the EIB’s activities were not strictly limited to the financing of projects (it has injected more than EUR 20 billion into around 200 Knowledge-related projects in the EU over the last 15 years), but that the Bank has a wider responsibility. “Our support can also be integrated into workplaces and communities, by providing training opportunities, for example, or by forging close ties with teaching facilities. This is precisely what we have undertaken to achieve here in Luxembourg and this is what we would like to reinforce”, he commented, while thanking President Tarrach and the University of Luxembourg for this opportunity. “As the President of the very young and European University of Luxembourg, I am particularly proud of this Memorandum which will generate new synergies between our institutions. The EIB is an outstanding partner whose staff possesses a wide range of skills and will hopefully help to raise the profile of our university which strives for openness, relevance and high quality,” Mr. Tarrach commented. Reflecting the relationship between the two institutions, the signature ceremony provided a platform for exchanges between the participants: Harry Seerden, from the Bank, reported on his teaching experience at the University and Professor G. Caruso from the University outlined his contribution to the ERSA/UNILU Summer School. Our colleague L. Ferreira, head of the EIB Institute’s Knowledge Programme, made a short presentation on the importance of “Education: a Cornerstone for Europe’s Growth”