What are universities for?

Higher education principles, values and responsibilities in a fragmented world.

The raison d'être of the university remains the production, transmission, curation, dissemination and use of knowledge. Universities pursue their mission in interaction with society and for the benefit of society. This interaction is governed by formal regulations, but also by an evolving social contract, which stipulate rights for the university communities and obligations they have towards the society as well as responsibilities of the public authorities vis-à-vis higher education.

Recognizing the variety of traditions and contemporary circumstances in higher education around the world, Magna Charta Universitatum, first adopted in 1998 and revised and restated in 2020, has contributed significant elements for a global social contract. It outlines the centrality of values in the work of universities (such as academic freedom, integrity, institutional autonomy, public responsibility) and articulates value-based guidelines for the exercise of both rights and obligations, within institutional contexts and in the broader society. Magna Charta was signed by higher education institutions from all continents, expressing their commitment to these fundamental values and the common understanding of key elements of a social contract applicable globally.

At present, however, in a highly fragmented world, what is this social contract? Is it changing? How are responsibilities of higher education and for higher education understood, codified, and practiced? Is there a balanced and productive understanding of both rights and responsibilities within the sector itself and in the interplay with the public authorities? Or maybe not quite?

The remarkable milestone of 1,000 signatories of Magna Charta Universitatum is anticipated to be reached at this meeting. By raising these questions, this global anniversary gathering proposes to interrogate directly the uneasy, yet fundamental question of what are universities for in our contemporary world.

Draft programme

11 November 2025

Pre-conference session

1300 Magna Charta – facing the challenges - the next 5 years

President of the Governing Council - Patrick Deane

Secretary General – David Lock

1330 The research agenda – findings to date and next steps

Chair of the Research Agenda – Giga Zedania

Case study presentations

Vasyl Stus Donetsk National University

Dublin University of Technology

1415 Living Values – evidence of impact

Secretary General – David Lock

Durban University of Technology – South Africa

Newcastle University - UK

1500 Refreshment break

1530 Future-generations – Student essay winners

1615 Insights from the US: - Introducing the MCO’s engagement with North America

1730 Close of afternoon session

1745 Welcome drinks reception and networking

Free evening

12 November 2025

Conference

0830 Registrations open

0930 Welcome and Introductory remarks

0950 Keynote addresses

Public responsibility of higher education vs public responsibility for higher education in our fragmented world

Learning from the UK experience

To be followed by questions and discussion

1115 Refreshment break

1145 Codifying responsibilities and rights in higher education: views from outside the sector

Panel

1300 Lunch

1400 Fulfilling responsibilities and rights in higher education: views from within the sector.

Panel

1530 Refreshment break

1600 Parallel sessions

a) Engaging faculty

b) Engaging students

c) Engaging professional administrators

d) Preparing sector leaders

e) Engaging industry, commerce and the professions

1730 Close of afternoon sessions

1900 Gala Dinner

13 November

Ceremony for the Signature of the Magna Charta Universitatum MCU2020

1000 Arrival of participants

1030 Ceremony

Opening remarks

Address

Signature of the Magna Charta Universitatum

Words of thanks on behalf of Signatories

Concluding remarks

1400 Close of Conference