There are many formal and informal networks of academic museums and collections in the world. Networks are vital for the preservation, study and access of higher education heritage.
UMAC strongly encourages academic museums and collections to create networks at university, regional and national levels. It is actively engaged with several networks, both supporting activities and as project partner.
Below are some of the largest and most active networks in the world. If you know of any important network that is not listed, or if you would like to initiate a network in your own country, please get in touch with us.
Universeum, the European Academic Heritage Network
Scope: Europe
Creation date: 2000
Main document: Halle Declaration (16 April 2000)
Contact: see website
UMAC partner
AAMG – Association of Academic Museums and Galleries
Scope: USA
Creation date: 1980
Contact: see website
UMAC partner
Academisch Erfgoed in Vlaanderen [Academic Heritage in Flanders]
Scope: Belgium (Flanders)
Creation date: 2007
Contact: see website
CAUMAC – Council of Australian University Museums and Collections
Group of the Australian Museums Association
Scope: Australia
Creation date: 1992
Contact: see website
Colecciones y Museos Universitários México (UMAC in Mexico)
Working Group under ICOM-Mexico
Scope: Mexico
Creation date: 2006
Contact: see website
Supported by UMAC
Cuban Network of University Museums
Scope: Cuba
The Cuban Network is coordinated by the Heritage Unit of the University of Havana.
Creation date: 18 May 2019
Contact: [icon name=”envelope”] Claudia Filipe (University of Havana)
Supported by UMAC
Forum of Brazilian University Museums & Brazilian Network of University Museums and Collections
Scope: Brazil
The Forum meets every two years and the Network is permanent.
Creation date: 1992 (Forum) and 2018 (Network)
Contact:
- Forum Cristine Carole Muggler (Federal University of Viçosa)
- Network Maurício da Silva (University of São Paulo)
Supported by UMAC
Greek University Museums and Collections Working Group
Working Group of ICOM-Greece
Scope: Greece
Creation date: 2016
Contact: Peny Theologi-Gouti (Patras University)
Supported by UMAC
Grupo UMAC en Perú (UMAC in Peru)
Under ICOM-Peru
Scope: Peru
Presently under organisation.
Contact: grupoumacenperu@gmail.com
Supported by UMAC
Grupo UMAC en Chile (UMAC in Chile)
Scope: Chile
Presently under organisation.
Contact: Karin Weil (Universidad Austral de Chile)
Supported by UMAC
KAUM – Korean Association of University Museums
Scope: South Korea
Creation date: 1961
Contact: presently unknown
Koordinierungsstelle für wissenschaftliche Universitätssammlungen in Deutschland [Coordination Center for Scientific University Collections in Germany]
Scope: Germany
Creation date: 2012
Includes national database of university museums and collections
Main documents: several, see here (in English)
See also: German University Collections Network
Contact: see website
NEAUCM – National Educational Alliance of University and College Museums
Scope: China
Creation date: 2012
Contact: see website
Network of Finnish University Museums (Suomen yliopistomuseoiden neuvottelukunta)
Scope: Finland
Creation date: 2011
Contact: Panu Nykänen (Chair)
Observatorio Museos Universitarios (University Museum Observatory)
Scope: Universidad Nacional de La Plata, Argentina
Creation date: 2018
Contact: Mariana Santamaría
Polish Association of University Museums
Scope: Poland
Creation date: 2015
Contact: see website
Main publications: University Museums in Poland (2016).
Rete dei Musei Universitari Italiani
Scope: Italy
Creation date: 2011
Contact: see website
SAE – Stichting Academisch Erfgoed [Foundation for Academic Heritage]
Scope: The Netherlands
Creation date: 1997
Contact: see website
SEAUCM – Shanghai Educational Alliance of University and College Museums
Scope: Shanghai province, China
Creation date: 2005
South Africa University Museums and Collections Network
Scope: South Africa
Creation date: 2020 (first meeting 23 June 2020, with the presence of UMAC Chair and the support of ICOM South Africa)
Contact: Sian Tiley-Nel (Head of the University of Pretoria Museums)
Supported by UMAC
Southeast Asia University Museums Network
Scope: Philippines, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia
Creation date: 2010
Contact: presently unknown
The Taiwanese Alliance of University Museums (TAUM)
Creation date: 2017
Members: 21
Contact museums@ntu.edu.tw
University Museums Association of Kyoto
Creation date: 2014
Members: 14 (see here)
Contact: Seishi Namiki, Museums and Archives of Kyoto Institute of Technology (Chair)
UMG – University Museum Group
Scope: England, Wales and Northern Ireland
Creation date: 1987
Main document: Impact and Engagement: University Museums for the 21st Century (2013) (UMG-UMIS)
Contact: see website
UMIS – University Museums in Scotland
Scope: Scotland, UK
Creation date: 1998
Members: University of Aberdeen, University of Dundee, University of Edinburgh, University of Glasgow, Glasgow School of Art, Heriot Watt University, Robert Gordon University, Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh, University of St Andrews, University of Stirling.
Main documents: Opening doors to learning: University museums in 21st century Scotland (2004) and Impact and Engagement: University Museums for the 21st Century (2013) (UMG-UMIS)
Contact: see website
Western China University Museums Network
Creation date: 19 July 2019
Members: 9
Contact: Zhao Ke, Electronic Science and Technology Museum, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu