Worldwide Universities Network (WUN)
The Worldwide Universities Network (WUN) is a leading global network focused on education and research collaboration between 24 universities across 6 continents.
The WUN network is one of two UM-wide strategic international networks. Whereas WUN serves as a strategic anchor for UM’s global collaborations and advocacy, the Young European Research Universities Network (YERUN) supports collaborations and UM’s advocacy within Europe.
The WUN network focuses in particular on stimulating international research cooperation, with special attention to young/early-career researchers. Thematically, the network contributes to finding innovative solutions for some of the most important challenges facing the world in the field of sustainable development. Examples of activities carried out within the WUN network include collaboration within Summer Schools for Master's and PhD students, and stimulating international complementary research cooperation by offering funding from the Research Development Fund. Additionally, WUN facilitates joint representation and positioning with international organisations.
WUN in brief
Concrete opportunities of the WUN membership for UM researchers
WUN representatives at UM
WUN in brief
The WUN brings together renowned universities from very diverse geographical and cultural contexts. This creates opportunities for diverse and complementary partnerships with a wealth of talent and resources for important research.
Through the Research Development Fund, the WUN supports collaborative research focusing on major global challenges. Specific areas of focus within this are:
- Social justice, human rights, inequality
- Sustainable world: cities and urbanisation, energy transitions, water and food security
- Mental health, child and maternal health, aging
- Responsible and ethical use of computing: artificial intelligence, information security, privacy
Within each of these Global Challenge areas, researchers from partner universities collaborate on a range of concrete issues. Examples of projects in which UM researchers are involved can be found here. In addition, the WUN network offers the opportunity to organise Summer Schools. An example is the WUN Robotics Doctoral Summer School organised by UM and York University in 2025.
For UM, participation in the Worldwide Universities Network (WUN) is important as an extension of our commitment to Global Engagement. The network offers us a unique opportunity to connect with a select group of top international universities on various continents that share our vision on research and education, while simultaneously remaining connected to their own regions. The research focus of the WUN aligns very well with the strategic research agenda of Maastricht University, which focuses on Quality of Life, Learning and Innovation, Europe and a Globalizing World, and Sustainability and Circularity. Our WUN membership strengthens our global engagement and our commitment to contributing to the global agenda for sustainable development.
- Prof. Dr. Pamela Habibović
UM President (ad interim) and representative of UM on the WUN Partnership Board
Concrete opportunities of WUN membership for UM researchers
1. The WUN network offers researchers access to renowned global partners, for example for setting up applications for international research funding. To this end, UM researchers can post a call for collaboration in the WUN Hub. Using keywords or filters, you can search by areas of interest, research projects, and the university to which someone is affiliated.
2. Concrete opportunities for collaboration through, for example, the Research Development Fund and the organisation of joint Summer Schools
3. Participation in WUN webinars focused on current themes relevant to young researchers
As a member of the WUN Academic Advisory Group, I have seen WUN grow into a unique global network of high-quality research universities, connecting partners across continents, including in the Global South. For UM, with its distinct European profile and strong international ambitions, WUN is a key driver for international cooperation on research themes central to our strategy. This has resulted in several strategic partnerships in the areas of student exchange, research, and joint education. Additionally, WUN’s strong focus on young researchers, particularly through the Researcher Development Fund, has enabled several of our academics to connect with colleagues worldwide, leading to promising new research collaborations and room for talent to flourish.
- Prof. Dr. Gaby Odekerken
Associate Dean Internationalisation and Impact at the School of Business and Economics and member of the WUN Academic Advisory Board
WUN representatives at UM
UM’s representation within WUN is ensured at various levels. UM President Prof. Pamela Habibović participates in the highest decision-making body, the WUN Partnership Board. Prof. Gaby Odekerken, Associate Dean Internationalisation and Impact at the School of Business & Economics, represents UM on the WUN Academic Advisory Board, focused on advising the WUN rectors and presidents.
The day-to-day coordination of UM’s participation in WUN is handled by Mr. Jan Hupkens as UM WUN Coordinator and Senior Policy Advisor Global Engagement at the UM International Office. UM colleagues interested in collaborating within WUN can contact him as coordinator via: jan.hupkens@maastrichtuniversity.nl
In addition, UM is represented in two thematic WUN working groups, namely the Global Africa Group via Dr. Mindel van de Laar (UNU-MERIT) and the WUN Artificial Intelligence working group via Mr. Marc Becker (SBE).
WUN Annual General Meeting at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, 21-23 May 2025