The spring meeting of LERU and CE7 was held at the University of Warsaw from April 7–8, 2017. ELTE was represented at the conference by Péter Szalay, vice-rector responsible for scientific affairs.
The meeting was attended by Marcin Palys, rector of the University of Warsaw; Vladimir Bumbasirevic, rector of the University of Belgrade; Tomás Zima, rector of Charles University in Prague; Marco Kirm, vice-rector of the University of Tartu; as well as Péter Szalay, vice-rector of Eötvös Loránd University; and among LERU members, Beert van der Zwaan, rector of Utrecht University; Jukka Kola, rector of the University of Helsinki; Patrick Prendergast, provost of Trinity College Dublin; Serge Fdida, vice-rector of Pierre and Marie Curie University; and Michael Hengartner, rector of the University of Zurich.
During the two-day event, discussions included LERU's proposals and the upcoming FP9 program, which incorporates the specific needs of CE7 universities and their countries. Additionally, participants received a briefing on the work of the SAM – Scientific Advice Mechanism, an independent scientific advisory body to the European Commission. The consultation also addressed the impact of Brexit on the European higher education area, as well as long-term strategic issues related to universities' adaptation to accelerated changes. The next LERU and CE7 autumn meeting will take place in Dubrovnik from September 29–30.
In early 2017, three information days were also organized with an emphasis on sharing experiences – held in Prague in January 2017, in Budapest in February 2017, and in Belgrade in March 2017 –, where participants discussed issues related to innovation and best practices in innovation, details of the European Commission-supported "Open Science" program, doctoral education, researcher career paths and societal implications, various grant, research, and technology development framework programs, as well as current issues in education and student mobility.
LERU is an alliance of 23 leading European research universities, engaging in high-quality education alongside internationally competitive research activities. Established in 2002, the network aims to create a strategic community of universities leading in the advancement of innovation and research in relation to higher education, the economy, and society. The primary goal of the LERU-CE7 initiative is to create joint opportunities for institutional collaborations, considering the varying challenges and state differences present in each country.