CRIG is partner in the ENLIGHT cancer network 'NETCARE'

CRIG

CRIG (representing Ghent University) is partner in the ENLIGHT Thematic Network for Cancer Research and Education, called 'NETCARE'. The network brings together all 10 ENLIGHT universities, and focuses on education, training by research and long-term collaboration in oncology.

ENLIGHT is a European University alliance of ten leading research-intensive universities (*) (including Ghent University). Together, their aim is to establish an open integrated space for learners, teachers and researchers. Read more via https://enlight-eu.org/ 

In the context of oncology, all 10 ENLIGHT universities have engaged (bottom-up) to work together within this European network. ENLIGHT funding has been obtained for our ENLIGHT Thematic Network for Cancer Research and Education, called 'NETCARE'. This network is co-ordinated by the University of Bordeaux, and brings together >150 cancer research teams over the ten partners universities. NETCARE strongly focuses on education, training by research and long-term collaboration.

For Ghent University, CRIG coordinator Dr. Pieter Rondou is part of the steering committee and the central point-of-contact in the NETCARE network for research (assisted by Prof. Olivier De Wever). For the work packages on education (e.g. student exchange), Prof. Ans Baeyens (main contact) and Prof. Steven Goossens are the Ghent/CRIG representatives.


Objectives, network structure & key activities


The NETCARE Steering Committee has representatives from all partner universities and there are additional working groups on the five strategic axes: research, education, communication, outreach & coordination. 

The core objectives are:

  • Strengthen collaborative cancer research across Europe
  • Enhance Master’s, PhD and early-career researchers training and mobility
  • Increase visibility and impact of ENLIGHT cancer expertise

The key activities are:

  • Multidisciplinary research workshops and exchanges
  • Guest lectures, internships, co-supervised PhDs
  • Expertise mapping and network website
  • Annual international cancer seminar. On 28-30 October 2026, the first NETCARE symposium will take place in Bordeaux. All cancer researchers from Ghent University and the other partner universities are welcome to join (and submit abstracts for) this meeting! More information will follow.

The expected impact of NETCARE is to generate a strong EU-level consortium that can be successful in creating international visibility, improving oncology education, researcher career development, and obtaining joint funding for oncology.


 (*) The 10 partners universities in ENLIGHT are: University of the Basque Country, University of Bern, University of Bordeaux, Comenius University Bratislava, University of Galway, Ghent University, University of Göttingen, University of Groningen, University of Tartu, Uppsala University.

(**) Remark: concerning internationalisation - and independent of the ENLIGHT network - CRIG also leads an International Thematic Network on cancer, called PrIOMiC, and funded by Ghent University. Read more about PrIOMiC on our webpage. Of note: two of our PrIOMiC partner institutes - Bordeaux University & Groningen University - are also involved in the ENLIGHT network. As such, we hope to further cross-fertilize international collaboration through these networks.