The Aurora Universities Network has expanded beyond Europe with the admission of Simon Fraser University (SFU) in Vancouver, Canada, as a new Global Partner. The partnership was formally established at the end of last year, marking an important milestone in the development of Aurora as a globally connected alliance of universities committed to societal impact through academic excellence. For Aurora members including UP, SFU’s inclusion in Aurora brings new opportunities for international research cooperation, or engagement with leading North American research environments.
SFU’s membership strengthens Canadian–European collaboration in higher education and research. In times of global uncertainty, this partnership reflects a shared commitment to academic cooperation, democratic values, and societal engagement. Together, Aurora and SFU will advance work on sustainability, equity-driven inclusion, and educational innovation, connecting regional strengths with global impact.
“Strengthening our relationship with SFU is a major milestone in expanding our global partner network,” said Veronika Sexl, Aurora President and Rector of Universität Innsbruck. “We share not only values and visions but also many thematic intersections and opportunities for growth. United by our mission to build bridges and positively shape societal change, we are reinforcing transatlantic cooperation during challenging times.”
A Strong Partner for European Universities
Founded in 1965, Simon Fraser University is one of Canada’s leading public research universities. It is internationally recognised for its interdisciplinary approach, strong community engagement, and focus on applied research addressing real-world challenges.
SFU offers a broad spectrum of study programmes across fields including social sciences, natural sciences, environmental studies, education, business, and applied technologies, and hosts numerous research centres dedicated to cross-cutting societal issues. Within the Faculty of Science, the university places strong emphasis on Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, covering areas such as molecular genetics, cell biology, bioinformatics, and structural biology, which closely correspond to research strengths at Palacký University.
From left to right: Veronika Sexl, Aurora President and Rector of Universität Innsbruck; Dugan O’Neil, SFU Vice-President Research and Innovation; and Ramon Puras, Aurora Secretary General
Shared Priorities and Future Collaboration
“Within the framework of the European Universities Initiative and Palacký University Olomouc’s engagement in the Aurora Alliance, cooperation with Simon Fraser University represents a strategic extension of our global partnerships. SFU’s expertise in sustainable development, climate action, urban studies, digital transformation, innovation ecosystems, and life sciences closely aligns with UP’s strengths across the natural sciences, medicine, humanities, and social sciences. Together, these shared priorities open new pathways for transatlantic research collaboration, joint doctoral training, and innovative education addressing global societal challenges,” says UP Rector Michael Kohajda.
Looking ahead, SFU is preparing to open a new School of Medicine, with the first cohort of students expected to begin their studies in 2026. The programme will focus on community-based and equity-oriented medical education, further strengthening opportunities for cooperation in health sciences and medical research.
Aurora Universities Network was established in 2016, bringing together research-intensive universities that share a strong commitment to societal engagement and academic excellence. Alongside its nine members, the network also cooperates with associate partners, particularly from Central and Eastern Europe. Palacký University Olomouc has been a member of Aurora since 2019. Although Aurora is primarily European in focus, the inclusion of global partners reflects the conviction that many contemporary challenges — such as sustainability, health, social inequality, and digital transformation — are inherently global and require cooperation beyond continental borders. Global partners therefore enrich the network with new perspectives, research capacities, and opportunities for transatlantic collaboration, further strengthening the international impact of Aurora and its member universities.
Aurora at UP website