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What is CIVIS?

What does it mean to travel in uncharted territory and co-create the university of tomorrow, today? CIVIS is a journey that evolves with every project, every collaboration.

CIVIS Alliance is a multicultural, multilingual endeavour that thrives in the personal encounters and the professional development of each member, each "civizen". Discover CIVIS!

A European University alliance shaping the future of higher education

CIVIS is Europe's Civic University Alliance, a pioneering initiative under the European Universities initiative of the European Commission. It unites 11 leading research-intensive higher education institutions across the continent, forming a dynamic academic community of over 470,000 students and 58,000 staff.

CIVIS is determined to underpin a strong European identity while building bridges beyond Europe. Through our projects and initiatives, we promote connections with the Mediterranean region and Africa, opening new pathways for cooperation and mutual understanding. Our alliance benefits from a well-balanced geographical distribution across the European Union, ensuring representation and diversity at every level.

European Member Universities

CIVIS brings together 11 leading research higher education institutions across Europe, a strong academic community: Aix-Marseille Université, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, University of Bucharest, Université libre de Bruxelles, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Sapienza Università di Roma, Stockholm University, University of Tübingen, University of Glasgow, University of Salzburg and University of Lausanne. They collaborate to advance excellence in education, research and societal engagement.

Associate Member Universities in Africa

Recognising the deep interconnection between Europe's and Africa's futures, CIVIS signed a landmark partnership agreement on 11 March 2022 with six prestigious African universities: Université Hassan II de Casablanca, Université Cheikh Anta Diop de Dakar, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, Makerere University, Eduardo Mondlane University and Université de Sfax. Since September 2024, these institutions have become Associate Members of CIVIS, committing to a shared agenda that fosters cooperation in education, research and societal outreach.

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What is CIVIS? Our people say it best