University of Glasgow hosted the second CoRE initiative conference in JuneThree years after its launch, the Africa–Europe Clusters of Research Excellence (CoRE) initiative is emerging as one of the most ambitious efforts to reshape international research collaboration, bringing together African and European universities to address global challenges through long-term, equitable partnerships.
The milestone was marked at the Second Africa–Europe CoRE Conference, held at the University of Glasgow from 14–17 June 2026, where university leaders, researchers, and policymakers from both continents gathered to assess progress and outline the initiative’s next phase.
Launched in 2023 by the African Research Universities Alliance and The Guild of European Research-Intensive Universities, CoRE was designed to move beyond traditional donor–recipient models of collaboration by establishing jointly led research clusters focused on shared scientific and societal priorities.
Since its inception, the initiative has expanded significantly. What began as 17 clusters has now grown to 22 active Clusters of Research Excellence, spanning public health, artificial intelligence, climate change, sustainable food systems, mathematics, engineering, peace research, and pandemic preparedness. The network now brings together more than 250 researchers from over 60 universities and research institutions across 42 countries.
At the Glasgow conference, speakers described CoRE’s evolution as a shift from an experimental collaboration framework to what many now consider a “credible institution” for transcontinental research cooperation. Discussions moved beyond early-stage implementation to focus on sustainability, scaling successful clusters, and strengthening institutional commitment across participating universities.
According to ARUA Secretary-General John Gyapong, the next phase of CoRE will require deeper institutional backing, stronger leadership engagement, and improved systems for communicating research outputs to policymakers, funders, and wider society.
The initiative aligns closely with the AU–EU Innovation Agenda and supports a ten-year vision aimed at advancing joint responses to shared global challenges through research, innovation, education, and capacity-building.
A defining feature of CoRE has been its emphasis on research equity. Each cluster is co-led by African and European academics, with governance structures designed to ensure shared decision-making, balanced leadership, and equitable recognition of contributions.
The conference also highlighted how shifting geopolitical realities are reshaping international science cooperation. Participants pointed to increasing global uncertainty, evolving funding landscapes, and rising concerns around research security as factors that make stable, trust-based partnerships more critical than ever.
Against this backdrop, CoRE is increasingly being viewed as a model for how universities can collaborate across continents to generate knowledge, strengthen innovation ecosystems, and address complex challenges that transcend national borders.
Leaders from both ARUA and The Guild reaffirmed their commitment to sustaining momentum, emphasizing that collaborative research remains essential to tackling pressing global issues, including climate change, public health threats, technological disruption, and sustainable development.
As the initiative enters its next phase, attention is now shifting toward consolidating gains, ensuring long-term sustainability, and translating research outcomes into measurable societal impact.
The next CoRE conference is scheduled to take place in 2028 at Mohammed VI Polytechnic University, where partners will once again assess progress and deepen Africa–Europe scientific collaboration.
Photo courtesy: Google
Article by Jed Mwangi
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