Regional Snapshot: Europe

Locations: Frankfurt Germany & Słubice, Poland

Website: https://www.europa-uni.de/en/index.html

University Lead: European Studies Center (ESC)

Founded in 1506 and comprised of approximately 5,000 students from more than 100 countries, the European University Viadrina Frankfurt lies on the border of Germany and Poland in the twin cities of Frankfurt and Słubice. The institution boasts over 250 partner universities worldwide. The Viadrina prioritizes opportunities for foreign language courses and study and internships abroad. Students choose from a wide range of classes within the faculties of Law, Economics and Business Administration as well as Social and Cultural Sciences.

Featured Program:

The University of Pittsburgh partners with Viadrina on Critical European Culture Studies (CECS). This graduate program is a selective, rigorous, and forward-thinking investigation of the various languages, literatures, and cultures of Europe with a foundational focus on the idea of Europe. CECS is focused on a on critical approach to European Union policies and on sustaining networks on research on EU external policies.

Location: St. Etienne, France

Website: https://www.univ-st-etienne.fr/en/index.html

University Lead: European Studies Center (ESC)

With approximately 20,000 students in St. Etienne, France, Jean Monnet University (UJM) is a member of the University of Lyon, an academic site of excellence ranking as the 2nd largest research and training center in France (with nearly 150,000 students in total).

Its multidisciplinary education offering allows students to access a diploma in 4 major areas of education: Arts, Letters, Languages​​/Humanities and Social Sciences/Law, Economics, Management/Science, Technology, Health. UJM offers the widest range of academic degrees in the Rhône-Alpes region.

Active Formalized Agreements:

• Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the University Center for International Studies’ European Studies Center (ESC)

Featured Program:

Jean Monnet University (France) and Newcastle University (UK) partner with the University of Pittsburgh on the Jean Monnet Project Transatlantic Perspectives on Energy and Cities (TPEC). This grant advances cooperation among the University of Pittsburgh (USA), Newcastle University (United Kingdom), University Jean Monnet Saint-Étienne (France), and Sciences Po Lyon (France). The aim is to strengthen research and teaching actions in areas of mutual interest and build on existing institutional relationships to enhance cooperation in the fields of European Union studies, particularly as it intersects with topics and themes from transatlantic, urban, and energy policy studies. 

Location: Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom

Website: https://www.ncl.ac.uk/

University Lead: European Studies Center (ESC)

Founded in 1834, Newcastle University (University of Newcastle upon Tyne) is a UK public research university based in Newcastle upon Tyne in Northeast England with two overseas campuses in Singapore and Malaysia. Ranked 122nd in the world per the 2023 QS World University Rankings, Newcastle prides itself on excellence the areas of: Humanities and Social Sciences, Medical Sciences, and Science, Agriculture & Engineering.

Active Formalized Agreements:

• Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the University Center for International Studies’ European Studies Center (ESC)
• Undergraduate Exchange Agreement with the Global Experiences Office (PITTGEO)

Featured Programs:

Both the cities of Newcastle upon Tyne and Pittsburgh as well as our two institutions have showed an increased and dedicated interest in collaboration, in large part due to the similarities between our post-industrial cities and the challenges faced when supporting changing communities. Commitment from the Vice Chancellor for Global Engagement, Chancellor, UCIS Director’s Office and European Studies Center has been significant and leaders from Newcastle University and their local government have dedicated time and resources for both in-person and virtual collaboration.

This institution shares a focus Pitt’s current featured Impact Area: Health and Well-Being (Healthy Aging), as well as the additional areas of sustainability, and community engagement (place-based initiatives).

Two co-led conferences on place-based universities occurred between Pitt and Newcastle University in January 2021 and October 2022. Newcastle University also partners with both Pitt and Jean Monnet University (France) on the Jean Monnet Project Transatlantic Perspectives on Energy and Cities (TPEC). This grant advances cooperation among the University of Pittsburgh (USA), Newcastle University (United Kingdom), University Jean Monnet Saint-Étienne (France), and Sciences Po Lyon (France). The aim is to strengthen research and teaching actions in areas of mutual interest and build on existing institutional relationships to enhance cooperation in the fields of European Union studies, particularly as it intersects with topics and themes from transatlantic, urban, and energy policy studies. 

Faculty non-teaching exchange & delegation visits have been fruitful and in 2019, Chancellor Patrick Gallagher was made an honorary Doctor of Science from Newcastle University. This marked the first time that a University of Pittsburgh Chancellor received an honorary degree from an international institution.

Learn more about this unique partnership.

Location: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
Website: https://www.ucis.pitt.edu/global/pints
University Lead: Global Studies Center (GSC)

Administered by the Global Studies Center with support from the Provost's Office, the PiNTS network convenes diverse local and national partner organizations to bring threatened scholars, artists, and practitioners to Pitt and to Pittsburgh. The program aims to provide scholars with safe and stable working and living environments as a way of helping them to regain their footing, rebuild their professional networks, and reset their careers.

By leveraging the Provost's funding with GSC endowment monies and partnerships with national organizations like the Artist Protection Fund and the Scholar Rescue Fund, PiNTS provides its visitors with salaries, benefits, visa and other legal assistance, and help acclimating to University and local life. Through membership of the New University in Exile Consortium, PiNTS provides scholars with intellectual and professional development opportunities and a network for engagement with similarly situated colleagues around the world. Scholars work with Pitt faculty and students – as teachers, interlocutors, and colleagues – and contribute to the rich intellectual life of the University.

Past scholars include a political scientist from Turkey, a Vietnamese rock star and free speech activist, a Congolese documentary filmmaker, and a Cuban dissident couple (a writer and a women’s rights activist). PiNTS also has emergency efforts underway to assist scholars displaced as a result of the changing political situation in Afghanistan.

Location: Paris, France

Website: https://www.sorbonne-universite.fr/

University Lead: European Studies Center (ESC) and Dr. José-Alain Sahel

Sorbonne University is a public research university in Paris, France. Established in 1257 as Sorbonne College, the Sorbonne is a multidisciplinary, research-intensive, world-class university. With approximately 55,300 students and 6,400 academic and partner researchers, the Sorbonne offers a variety of degrees in a wide range of study. Known internationally for its rigorous research efforts, the Sorbonne is particularly celebrated for its focus on the natural sciences and medicine, consistently ranking among the best in the areas of biology, biochemistry, medicine, as well as mathematics and a wide range of physical sciences. The Sorbonne is consistently rated as one of the top global universities – both in Europe and in the world.

Active Formalized Agreements:

• Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the University Center for International Studies’ European Studies Center (ESC)
• Graduate Exchange Agreement with the School of Law

Featured Program: 

In 2017, the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and the University Pierre et Marie Curie of the Sorbonne Universités in Paris formalized a partnership agreement to focus on collaborative research and education in medicine and biomedical sciences – particularly in the areas of vision, ophthalmology, and neuroscience. This agreement also included two additional renowned French institutions: the Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (Inserm) and the Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS).

The University of Pittsburgh and University of Pittsburgh Medical Center are privileged to work with Dr. José-Alain Sahel formerly of Sorbonne University and founder and director of the Vision Institute in Paris.

Related articles:

• UPMC First in the US to Implant Wireless Retinal Device – 13 January 2020
• Pitt School of Medicine Signs Collaborative Agreement with World-Renowned French Research Institutions – 13 July 2017
• Quest to Cure Blindness: Pitt, UPMC Recruit World-Renowned Expert in Research and Therapies for Blindness and Vision Impairment – 5 October 2016

Location: Narva, Estonia

Website: https://narva.ut.ee/en

University Lead: Russian, East European, and Eurasian Studies Center (REEES)

The University of Tartu, Narva College is located in Estonia’s third-largest city and on Estonia’s border with Russia. Founded in 1999 as a regional unit of Estonia’s oldest and highest-ranking university (University of Tartu) Narva College is currently the only higher education institution in Estonia whose main task is to educate bilingual teachers for schools in the multicultural environment, with either Russian or Estonian as the language of instruction.

Active Formalized Agreements:

• Undergraduate Exchange Agreement with the Global Experiences Office (PITTGEO)

Featured Program:

The University of Tarti, Narva College works with the University of Pittsburgh’s Center for Russian, East European, and Eurasian Studies to provide Project GO scholarships. Project GO provides full scholarships to ROTC students enrolled at any accredited college or university in the US for 8 weeks of intensive summer language study in Russian (beginning through fourth-year). These programs provide students with the equivalent of one academic year’s worth of language training, in addition to opportunities to build their inter-cultural competence and travel abroad. Project GO is an initiative sponsored by the Defense Language and National Security Education Office and administered by the Institute of International Education.