The partnership unites complementary missions to support learner mobility and quality higher education through cooperation in professional development, research, and community engagement.
November 21, 2025 – The European University Foundation (EUF), a network of more than 90 universities, and the Groningen Declaration Network (the GDN Network) have officially signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), marking the beginning of their partnership. The signing took place during the 14th Annual Meeting in Oslo, Norway. United by their commitment to advancing learner mobility and modernizing higher education, this cooperation will bring significant benefits to institutions, governments, and organizations within both networks.
This strategic collaboration aims to deepen the mutual understanding of each organization’s role in global higher education, contribute to the development of shared professional development opportunities that strengthen both communities, and collaborate on joint projects and activities, such as educational webinars and support for the GDN Network’s annual meetings and regional events. This formal partnership is also committed to advancing research initiatives that further the professionalization of the broader higher education ecosystem.
“The GDN Network is an important strategic partner for advancing student mobility worldwide and helping interconnect the systems that power it”, says João Bacelar, Executive Manager of the EUF. “Europe has taken a huge leap forward in this regard over the last few years and the EUF and its universities have been in the driver’s seat of this transformation. This is the right time to join forces with the GDN Network and partners from across the globe to build something that adds to more than the sum of its parts”.
“The EUF has a long standing history with the GDN Network which demonstrates our shared values,” says Jelger de Boer, Immediate Past-President of the GDN Network and Senior Advisor, Strategy and Innovation at Dienst Uitvoering Onderwijs (DUO). ”I am personally very excited to see the partnership deepen as we work together to solve real challenges for study abroad. The expertise in both communities will be important to harness as we evolve support for learners.”
“The EUF is engaging in important work to advance the study abroad experience for learners, many of which align with the digitization and recognition efforts of the GDN Network,” says Joanne Duklas, Executive Director of the GDN Network. “As a former registrar who’s seen intimately the experience of learners who seek approval and recognition for their study abroad courses and who struggle with recognition, access and administration, it’s important to support partners like EUF that work hard every day to improve the mobility pathway. We are excited to help and look forward to extending GDN ‘Network of Network’ efforts to the EUF community in the study abroad area.”
By leveraging its strengths in policy development, the European University Foundation will bring valuable insights and forward-thinking initiatives to the GDN Network’s community, aiming to expand and enhance student mobility. Both organizations will champion best practices, promote globally recognized standards, and strengthen confidence in the global higher education sector.
About
About the Groningen Declaration Network (The GDN Network): The GDN Network is an international, non-profit federated trust located in the Netherlands. It represents a voluntary network of like-minded organizations and individuals that seek to make digital student data portability happen. Its network of thought leaders from around the globe are collaborators who seek to support, advise, and offer innovative changes in the ways we share artifacts of academic learning. The GDN Network seeks common ground in best serving the academic and professional mobility needs of citizens worldwide by bringing together stakeholders in the digital student data ecosystem. It seeks to develop and support best practices and globally accepted standards for safe and citizen-oriented convenings and information exchanges. Learn more at: www.groningendeclaration.org
About European University Foundation: The European University Foundation (EUF) is one of Europe’s most prominent and influential university networks. Its core mission is to foster a modern, strong, and competitive European Higher Education Area while advocating for a substantial increase in both the quantity and quality of student mobility.
With extensive expertise in policy innovation and a long-standing history of shaping the Erasmus+ programme, the organisation continues to play a key role in advancing European higher education. Learn more at: www.uni-foundation.eu
Media Contacts
Debora Lucque, Communication Officer, European University Foundation, debora.lucque@uni-foundation.eu
Maya Hardy, Outreach Lead, GDN Network, outreach@groningendeclaration.org
