Action research to improve youth and adult literacy
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Action research to improve youth and adult literacy Empowering learners in a multilingual world (PDF, English, 906 KB). More...
Following the terrorist attack that unfolded at Garissa University College in Kenya on Thursday 2 April killing 147 students and leaving at least 79 people wounded, the European University Association observed one-minute’s silence today in remembrance of all those killed in and affected by the attack on Garissa and by other attacks on universities and university values around the world. More...
Advanced technologies, professional competences and skills are crucial when fighting climate change and securing energy supply. By 2050, the EU aims to cut its greenhouse gas emissions by 80-95% against 1990 levels. To meet this target, Europe needs the research, education and innovation potential of universities. UNI-SET is currently mapping energy-related research, education and training activities at European universities. Details on how to participate can be found here. More...
The General Assembly of the European University Association elected Rolf Tarrach as its new President. Representing more than 300 EUA members, the General Assembly gathered at the University of Antwerp, Belgium, where it also elected five new Board members who will serve for a period of four years (2015-2019).
They are:
- Wieslaw Banyś, Rector of the University of Silesia in Katowice and President of the Conference of Rectors of Academic Schools in Poland.
- Holger Burckhart, Rector of the University of Siegen, Germany.
- Jean Chambaz, President of Pierre and Marie Curie University (Paris 6), France.
- Martine Rahier, Rector of the University of Neuchâtel and President of swissuniversities.
- Mari Sundli Tveit, Rector of the Norwegian University of Life Sciences. More...
This year, EUA’s Annual Conference, held at the University of Antwerp on 16-17 April, welcomed Professor Subra Suresh, President of the Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) in Pennsylvania, USA.
Professor Suresh took part in the thematic session “People”, which focused on the importance of doctoral education and training for the development of a variety of professional careers, both within and outside academia. In his presentation, Professor Suresh provided an historical snapshot on the development of the scientific system in the USA and discussed the current challenges in postgraduate education, such as changing demographics and global challenges. More...
“University mergers in Europe” is the second thematic report published by EUA as part of the DEFINE project. DEFINE explores strategies for efficient funding of universities in Europe, looking in particular at excellence initiatives, university mergers and performance-based funding mechanisms.
University mergers in Europe - The University of Strasbourg
The University of Strasbourg was officially founded on 1 January 2009, after about three years of preparation once the decision to merge had been taken in 2006. The merger was primarily a project owned by the institutions themselves, in a context where the public authorities fostered clustering in the sector. The institutions involved took advantage of the reform of the regulatory framework initiated in 2007 by choosing to be part of the first round of universities entrusted with ‘enlarged responsibilities’ (notably as regards staffing autonomy and budget management).
The main driver behind the process was the willingness to improve the international attractiveness of a stronger, more visible institution with critical mass and comprehensive academic offer.
The process was steered by the leaders of the three merging institutions and managed and supported by an operational project leader and a coordination team. The structure also included a series of inter-institutional thematic committees and working groups within each institution. External consultants were invited to provide advice on the design and implementation of the new organisational structure. The European University Association accompanied the change process and subsequently carried out an audit of the merger.
Success factors
- Common vision of the leadership
- Favourable political and regulatory developments (autonomy reform; “operation campus”)
- Geographical coherence (same campus)
- No significant overlap in the academic offer
- Common history of the three partners
Challenges
- Limited human resources and significant additional workload for involved staff
- Change management methodologies not proportional to the ambition of change
- Change of leadership teams during the preparation process
- Diversity in the governance and administration profiles of the three partners
- Heterogeneous academic traditions and institutional cultures
- Pioneering merger process in France: no ‘best practices’ available. Download the report “University mergers in Europe”. More...
“University mergers in Europe” is the second thematic report published by EUA as part of the DEFINE project. DEFINE explores strategies for efficient funding of universities in Europe, looking in particular at excellence initiatives, university mergers and performance-based funding mechanisms.
University mergers in Europe - Governance
The analysis of various merger cases shows that the steering of the process is most frequently placed directly under the joint leadership of the merging institutions, often with the support of the corresponding senior management team. At the operational level, a taskforce or merger project team is generally put in place at an early point to map out how the merger will be implemented, and reports to the leadership. This team coordinates the work and feedback of a series of usually thematic working groups organised at inter-institutional level and within the institutions themselves. The establishment of shadow structures is also a frequent feature in the process (bodies that do the work of existing institutions in the form of the newly merged university). Download the report “University mergers in Europe”. More...
“University mergers in Europe” is the second thematic report published by EUA as part of the DEFINE project. DEFINE explores strategies for efficient funding of universities in Europe, looking in particular at excellence initiatives, university mergers and performance-based funding mechanisms.
University mergers in Europe - Recommendations
It must first be noted that the variety of initiatives that may be considered under the umbrella term of “merger and concentration processes” is vast. For a comprehensive view of the range of initiatives that have been undertaken in European universities, EUA will launch a pilot merger mapping tool in 2015. Despite the apparent diversity, however, university leaders and practitioners involved in the DEFINE study widely shared the belief that there was more commonality than divergence. Therefore, the potential for transferable learning is considerable. Taking as their basis the previous sections which explored the process of merging from the perspective of university leaders and practitioners, the following recommendations bring together the key points to take into account when considering a merger process. Download the report “University mergers in Europe”. More...
“University mergers in Europe” is the second thematic report published by EUA as part of the DEFINE project. DEFINE explores strategies for efficient funding of universities in Europe, looking in particular at excellence initiatives, university mergers and performance-based funding mechanisms.
University mergers in Europe - Involving students
To summarise, there are a wide number of important considerations to take on board when planning and implementing a merger, whether horizontal or vertical. Among these, shaping administrative and organisational structures in a way that facilitates (rather than disrupts) the academic mission is key. The process can be likened to the performance of an orchestra: in order to create harmony, it is necessary to have participation of all parties, a transparent leadership, clear communication and the commitment of the entire organisation. Download the report “University mergers in Europe”. More...