The Spirit and Strength of the SGroup Family

 

1. The Core Characteristics of the SGroup Network

The SGroup is a long-established, dynamic network of comprehensive research-intensive universities across Europe and beyond. United by a shared commitment to responsible internationalisation, global engagement, and the social mission of higher education, SGroup members collaborate in shaping the future of international higher education and research. At the heart of SGroup lies not only a strong professional focus but also a distinct collegial spirit—what many proudly refer to as the “SGroup Family.”

SGroup’s mission centres on fostering excellence through knowledge transfer, peer learning, and joint initiatives and projects supported by European and international funding. The network creates an inclusive and trust-based environment where member institutions contribute their complementary strengths, diverse experiences, and deep intercultural understanding. SGroup is recognised for its pioneering role in shaping transformative trends in higher education, most notably in the field of digital transformation through initiatives such as the European Student Card and Erasmus Without Paper (EWP).

SGroup is firmly rooted in internationalisation, and it is also profoundly engaged in areas such as digital transformation, responsibility, inclusion, and sustainability, reflecting the network’s broader commitment to academic freedom and European values.

As a responsive and future-oriented network, SGroup actively addresses emerging global challenges and opportunities in higher education. It promotes open debate on critical issues, drives innovation through collaborative projects, and develops practical tools that deliver societal impact. In doing so, it enhances the quality, relevance, and scope of international cooperation among its members.

A hallmark of SGroup is its openness and permeability—qualities that enable productive interaction not only among its members but also with other networks, institutions, and stakeholders in the global academic landscape. Belonging to the SGroup Family means having access to a broad and flexible ecosystem where institutions can choose the most suitable partners for each initiative—whether within or beyond the network—according to their strategic priorities.

SGroup is widely regarded by its members as:

1. A trusted, long-standing network with a proven record of achievements in international higher education (IHE);
2. A complementary component within their broader ecosystem of strategic partnerships and alliances, including European University Alliances;
3. A valuable platform offering access to a wealth of knowledge, practical experience, and institutional expertise;
4. An incubator for innovative ideas and collaborative projects;
5. An inclusive, collegial, and welcoming space for experimentation, co-creation and learning;
6. A network that expands global opportunities for students, researchers, and staff, both on campus and abroad.

The Think Tank Academy (TTA) is a cornerstone of the SGroup identity. The SGroup Think Tanks have emerged as powerful engines of thought leadership, policy development, and interdisciplinary collaboration. By fostering dialogue and generating evidence-based solutions, this knowledge-sharing platform aims to shape impactful strategies at the institutional and societal levels. It provides tailored capacity-building opportunities in key thematic and regional areas, including doctoral education, internationalisation, and engagement with the Americas, Africa, Asia and the Pacific. Through the TTA’s regular exchanges, joint initiatives, and knowledge-sharing events, members benefit from peer expertise, shared experience, and focused support that enhances institutional capabilities and strategic development.

The Think Tanks strengthen the intellectual fabric of the SGroup network and contribute to the broader European and international discourse. As engines of forward-thinking ideas and policy innovation, they embody the spirit of cooperation and excellence that defines the SGroup community.

The TTA is divided into Regional Think Tanks and thematic Think Tanks:

• Think Thank for Asia & Pacific (former TTChina)
• Think Tank for The Americas (former TTLatin America)
• Think Tank for Africa
• Think Tank for the Social Mission of Universities (TTSMU)
• Think Tank for PhD (former TTIDE)

Through its thematic and regional Think Tanks, SGroup supports joint research training, young researcher mobility, and international doctoral networks, thereby reinforcing its members’ capacity to engage in joint research initiatives on a global scale.

The SGroup’s Think Tank for the Social Mission of Universities was created to stimulate dialogue and learning around and engagement with Social Mission (SM) in Higher Education (HE). It is concerned with all the socially responsive and responsible engagements that Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) enact within their institutions and with collaborative partners to enhance the societal and human good. It aims to position the SGroup as a forum and an engine for innovative thinking and knowledge exchange in this critical area of HE endeavour.

The SGroup Think Tank for PhD (TTPhD) was created to stimulate dialogue and learning, as well as engagement with doctoral education, within the SGroup network and the wider HE sphere. Doctoral education is the foundation for the future of research and innovation, so this TT brings together the experience and vision of members across the SGroup to strengthen and enhance the experience and opportunities for PhD students in the areas of research culture, researcher development, and social impact.

With its focus on cross-border dialogue and evidence-based insights, SGroup fosters strategic partnerships between academia, research, and policy-making bodies to amplify its collective impact by translating academic expertise into actions that shape higher education, drive innovation, and contribute to societal well-being.

Through the SGroup Development Programme members have access to several initiatives that support their professional development and enhance their capacity to lead internationalisation, innovation, and collaboration within their institutions. SGroup plays a vital role in supporting professional services and strategic management within its member institutions. By providing guidance on project design, funding instruments, administrative coordination, and intercultural and science diplomacy competencies, the network helps institutions build and manage robust international initiatives.

This support is further strengthened by the active involvement of SGroup Liaison Officers, who act as institutional anchors, encouraging, mentoring, and enabling academic staff to successfully engage in competitive European funding opportunities.

 

2. The Distinctive Value of SGroup in the Broader European Landscape

As is common among leading academic networks, many SGroup members also participate in European University Alliances, other prominent networks (such as UNICA, the Coimbra Group, EUF, the Utrecht Network) and other consortia. In fact, over 30 SGroup Universities are currently involved in European University Alliances.

Rather than competing with these emerging formats, SGroup offers added value through its inclusive, flexible, and cooperative approach. This complementarity is a key strength: institutions often join SGroup through connections made within their Alliances, attracted by the network’s open culture and the tangible opportunities it offers for strategic collaboration and development.

SGroup’s collaborative ethos stands in contrast to the more competitive frameworks found elsewhere. The network offers a rich programme of activities for students, administrative professionals, and academics alike. In particular, its sustained engagement with early-career researchers—through initiatives such as the Young Researchers Academy, joint PhD opportunities, and joint programme evaluations—demonstrates SGroup’s commitment to nurturing the next generation of academic leaders.

 

Belonging to the “SGroup Family” means much more than just a membership—it means shared purpose, collective ambition, and the support of a trusted community. It is a place to engage in meaningful exchange, to grow through collaboration, and to co-create the future of international higher education.