Politecnico coordinates the revision of CLUSTER's core principles
The working groups and governing bodies of CLUSTER met for three days at Trinity College Dublin to discuss strategic choices for the future and new project activities. The workshop, organised by Politecnico, saw Rector Corgnati, President of the network, and Professor Roberto Zanino, Secretary General, lead a joint session to rewrite CLUSTER’s vision and mission, drawing lively and constructive contributions from all participating universities.
The newly drafted CLUSTER’s mission emphasizes its impact on society and its role in promoting multidisciplinary educational, research, and mobility initiatives. It outlines the core values of diversity, inclusion, multiculturalism, and CLUSTER commitment to the ethical and sustainable use of science and technology. The new vision focuses on CLUSTER being an agile and trusted community that contributes to the European Education and Research Areas, pursues excellence, and addresses the challenges of internationalization beyond European borders. Further discussions and the final approval of these choral changes will occur during the next General Assembly at Politecnico di Torino in June 2026.
Politecnico also led the working groups on European University Alliances and sub‑Saharan Africa, which dedicated themselves to mapping new opportunities for collaboration and joint activities within their respective areas of focus. Communication strategy was another key topic in recent developments, with our University committing to strengthen the consortium’s identity and visibility both within member universities and to external institutions. A further novelty was the discussion on expanding the network’s membership, which resulted in a recommendation to accept the University of Strathclyde’s application.
“CLUSTER continues to strengthen its role as a global community of leading science and technology universities committed to education through multidisciplinary programs at all levels, high-level research, innovation, and service to society, and driven by cooperation, mutual trust, and shared responsibility. The revision of CLUSTER’s mission and vision reinforces our commitment to the values of diversity, inclusion, and multiculturalism, and reaffirms the central role of its members — a strong and cohesive family of universities — who work together through shared experiences, joint projects, and aligned strategies to enhance their collective capacity to generate knowledge, foster progress, and create lasting societal impact” said Rector Corgnati.
“The successful completion of CLUSTER’s vision and mission revision in Dublin is a fine example of how the relationship of trust developed among the network’s members over its more than 30 years of existence allows it to move forward in an agile, efficient and coordinated way even on the most complex tasks. The commitment to the three main CLUSTER pillars – European Alliances, sub-Saharan Africa and China – has been strengthened during Politecnico’s Presidency and is well supported by the horizontal work packages (communication, mobility and projects). We expect this to concretise in view of the important events scheduled next year at our University”, added Professor Zanino.
