Annual message from the President of the Compostela Group of Universities 2025

Dear members of the Compostela Group of Universities (CGU),

As 2024 draws to a close, it is time to reflect on our collective achievements.

In this first year as president of the Compostela Group of Universities (CGU), I have had the privilege of closely following from inside all the regular activities our network runs every year, such as the General Assembly, the International Prize Grupo Compostela–Xunta de Galicia, the Stella programs, the research pitches contest, the Compostela Debate Academy in collaboration with the University of Pécs in Hungary, the CGU Chair in cooperation with the Cetys University in Mexico, and so on. This has reinforced my pride on our network and its firm commitment with internationalisation and academic cooperation and excellence.

This year we also made significant progress in laying the foundations for new projects that promote the exchange of knowledge and the strengthening of our member universities. For the first time in many years, the CGU is the proud leader of an Erasmus+ consortium that aims at promoting mobility between the Americas and Spain.

Cooperation with other networks with whom we have communalities and complementarity was another goal of our strategic plan. Therefore, we signed key agreements, such as the one established with the Union of Universities of Latin America and the Caribbean (UDUALC), and a few others are expected to follow as a result of intensive efforts with networks based in Latin America. The 1st International Conference on Cultural Routes, coorganized by the CGU and the Council of Europe in November was yet another initiative signalling this effort of uniting efforts with other organizations.

Sustainability, both environmental and social, has also been a key priority in 2024, guiding our existing and new initiatives and steps. This mindset and course of action will be fostered in the coming years so that a more responsible and lasting impact can be achieved from within and beyond the CGU. Soon exciting news regarding the upcoming General Assembly will be shared with all member institutions.

2024 was the year we celebrated our 30th anniversary and the nomination of Professor Dario Villanueva as Honorary President of the CGU. The launch of the digital book “Grupo Compostela de Universidades – Nacimiento y consolidación de una red” and the video of congratulations by our esteemed rectors and presidents were two other milestones of this special year.

Looking ahead to 2025, we will continue to work on initiatives that strengthen sustainability, digitalisation and academic mobility, key elements for our institutions as well as the development of leaders capable of meeting the challenges of a changing world. More than ever, it is time to bridge divides, nurture understanding, and work together toward a future rooted in mutual respect and compassion, and a global community where differences are celebrated and conflicts give way to unity.

I conclude by expressing my heartfelt gratitude for the trust placed in the Executive Committee, in me, and in the administrative team, and by wishing you all a peaceful festive season.

Carla Martins
President of the Compostela Group of Universities