Developing Networking Architectures for LLL Universities

The DNA-LLLU project
Global rankings, excellence contests, Ivy-league University initiatives- the portfolio of instruments pressuring Higher Education institutions in Europe to be among the "Best" in order to attract highly skilled staff, motivated students and sufficient levels of funding seems to grow annually, despite recession and economic crisis phenomenon's.
But what are the indicators and benchmarks to measure "excellence and outstanding performance" and how does this effect and intermingle with regional and national funding policies?
The DNA-LLLU project emphasizes a different understanding of excellence, helping higher education institutions developing coherent strategies in the field, prioritizing the systematic development of collaboration models on all levels (local-international), reaching out to other sectors and encompassing the dispersed Universities activities and services. Taking into account the diversity of learning cultures, the evolutionary history and environmental conditions for both the University and key stakeholders on the one hand and drawing attention to one of the recommendations from the BeFlex Plus Project on the importance of developing coherent strategies in 'networked universities' on the other hand, the project’s process is two folded:
* In the first year, the project will explore scenarios and gravity centers of the "Networked University" depending on the institutional strategies and profiles as well as on the specific surrounding conditions of the environment. In a methodological frame, the project’s partners will
1) set up a working group, identify and involve several representative external stakeholders and
2) organize strategy workshops addressing key questions for the analysis of the specific profile of the institution and its partnerships and relationships with its environment in the field of ULLL and
3) analyse and adapt to own national/regional reality cases of good practice.
* In the second year of the project the Universities will develop the distinctive profile and coherent strategy of their 'Networked-LLLU', including a precise roadmap and implementation plan for the future realization of the "Networked LLLU".
Thus, the DNA-LLL project will illustrate how concepts and implementation scenarios of a Networked University can contribute to reinforcing the core vision throughout the EC: Making LLL a reality.