o 12 UNICA meetings and workshops brought together more than 370 participants

Transcription

1 President s Report UNICA ACTIVITY REPORT UNICA AT A GLANCE o 12 UNICA meetings and workshops brought together more than 370 participants o UNICA Student Conference 2012, University of Oslo, gathered more than 200 students from 32 UNICA universities and was eco-certified by the Foundation for Environmental Education Norway (FEE) o the UNICA IRO meeting 2012, University of Lausanne, 2-4 May 2012, was the first one without papers o 4 Cities : UNICA Euromaster in Urban Studies was one of 30 (out of 177 applications) selected as Erasmus Mundus programmes o the UNICA Secretariat received 4 trainees from 4 UNICA member universities and initiated the UGAF traineeship o In the academic year 2011/2012, the UNICA website has on average attracted 6,000 different viewers per month and counted more than 1,500 page views per day

2 CONTENTS 1. UNICA AS A EUROPEAN ACTOR page 3 2. GOING THE EXTRA MILE: UNICA ON THE GLOBE page 9 3. UNICA MEETINGS: JOINED-UP THINKING FOR A JOINT SUCCESS page UNICA GENERAL ASSEMBLY AND STEERING COMMITTEE MEETINGS page GETTING THE MESSAGE THROUGH page CONCLUSIONS & THANKS page 18 Editors: Contributions: Stavros A. Zenios, UNICA President Kris Dejonckheere, UNICA Secretary General Marta Wasowska, UNICA Assistant Eva Reina, Project Manager Giorgio Marinoni, Project Manager Layout: Marta Wasowska, UNICA Assistant Contact: UNICA Secretariat, C/o University Foundation, Rue d Egmont 11, B-1000 Brussels, BELGIUM UNICA Activity Report UNICA General Assembly, University of Cyprus, 26 October

3 1. UNICA AS A EUROPEAN ACTOR Articulating and advocating the views of its members to the European institutions is one of the core tasks of UNICA. Our responsibility as a Network is to make sure that the role of universities is given prominence when shaping policies and programmes for European higher education and research. We continue to enhance the visibility of the Network on the European scene by participating and implementing the EC-funded projects. UNICA develops new projects together with member universities and supports the dissemination of the results of projects coordinated by its members. Acknowledging the importance of communication and the mutual exchange of knowledge and experience with other key higher education stakeholders on the European level, UNICA attaches great importance on the cooperation with other European HE institutions, such as European University Association (EUA), EUA Council for Doctoral Education, Santander Group and Compostela Group of Universities. EC PROJECTS Completed EC Projects >ExchangeAbility: Fostering the Mobility of Students with Disabilities. Project linked to the UNICA Working Group on Special Needs - Equal Opportunities. Contract Period: Nov Oct. 2011; Consortium members: UNICA (Coordinator), Erasmus Student Network (BE), University of Cyprus (CY), Tallinn University of Technology (EE), Eötvös Lorand University Budapest (HU), Comenius University Bratislava (SK), Erasmushogeschool Brussel (BE); UNICA share 1 year: (Total budget ); Project website: I am so happy that I decided to fly in the face of myself. This experience made me stronger, more independent, self-confident and purposeful Galina Krysteva, student of Sofia University St. Kliment Ohridski & ExchangeAbility Ambassador, winner of the ExchangeAbility Story Competition The final café event of the ExchangeAbility project with the screening of the Exchange- Ability movie took place on 25 October in Brussels. It counted the contributions from UNICA Activity Report UNICA General Assembly, University of Cyprus, 26 October

4 Klara Engels-Perenyi (EC Erasmus Programme Officer) and Aurélie Baranger (European Disability Forum). Since its completion, the project was presented at different forums: the National Agencies meeting, European Commission, Brussels, 26 October 2011; the EquNet Conference on the Future of Social Dimension in Higher Education, Sofia, 3-5 November 2011, and at the 1 st Congress on University and Disability organised by the ONCE Foundation, Madrid, November Four out of five ExchangeAbility videos have been also pre-selected for the PLURAL+ Youth Video Festival 2012 organised by the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations. Follow-up initiatives related to the ExchangeAbility project are envisaged for the year > Be-Twin: ECTS-ECVET project Building Bridges and Overcoming Differences, in the framework of the Leonardo da Vinci sub-programme (LLL programme). Coordinator: Chambre de Commerce de Paris Ile-de-France; UNICA's role: coordination of WP 2 (Methodology) and participation in WP 6 (Dissemination); Contract period: Mar 2009 Feb UNICA share - 3 years: (Total budget: 566,270;); Website: The Be-Twin End Conference, Paris, 9 December 2011, counted the contributions from the representatives of UNICA members. The new Be-Twin 2 project will aim at adapting the methodology developed within the Be-Twin project (see Ongoing projects). >INENTER: Improving the quality of placements and internships from academia to enterprises. Project consortium (9 UNICA members): University of Cyprus (Coordinator), Tallinn University, Vilnius University, Universite libre de Bruxelles, University of Warsaw, University of Vienna, University of Latvia, Université de Lausanne, University of Zagreb; UNICA; European Association of Erasmus Coordinators-EAEC (Cyprus), Chambre de Commerce & d' Industrie de Paris (France), EUE-Net / MAC Team; UNICA's role: coordinated 2 Work Packages and was responsible for the creation and management of the project website, translations, promotional material and dissemination plan; Contract period: Oct Sept UNICA share 2 years: (Total budget: ); Website: The outcomes of the project were presented at the EAIE Conference 2012 in Dublin in the session Student Placements: Let s Discuss Quality. UNICA Activity Report UNICA General Assembly, University of Cyprus, 26 October

5 Ongoing EC Projects - UNICA as Coordinator >Information Project on Higher Education Reform III (renewal), service contract with the European Commission DG EAC and EACEA (TEMPUS unit); Contract Period: 2 different contracts: EAC : 15/12/ /06/2013; EACEA : 20/12/ /12/2013; Coordinator: UNICA; UNICA share - 2 years: ,04 (Total budget: ,74). Within the framework of the new contract, UNICA organises 3 major conferences (180 participants each), 4 TEMPUS thematic seminars and 4 university study visits for HER experts from TEMPUS countries. Virtual Community for Bologna and Higher Education Reforms Experts ( counts more than 900 participants. HER III Conferences at UNICA member universities: 1. Putting Bucharest's Conclusions on track - The Experts' Role, Vilnius University, 4-6 June Research-Based Education: Strategy and Implementation, Eötvös Loránd University (ELTE), Budapest, 5-7 November University of Amsterdam, topic and dates to be confirmed TEMPUS study visits at UNICA member universities: 1. Diversification of Funding, Autonomy and Strategic Planning at Universities, University of Vienna & University of Applied Sciences FH Campus Wien, Austria, April University-Business Cooperation, Vrije Universiteit Brussel with the contribution of Université libre de Bruxelles, Belgium, 2 3 October Student Support Services, King s College London, January Developing Academic Programmes in English: The Key to Internationalisation?, Humboldt Universität Berlin, Germany, May 2013 Thematic seminars in TEMPUS countries: 1. University Business Cooperation, Holon, Israel, May Research-Based Education at BA, MA and PhD level, Yerevan, Armenia, 9 10 July Organisation and Profile of Doctoral Studies, Jounieh, Mont Liban, Lebanon, March Diversification of Funding, Autonomy and Strategic Planning at Universities, Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, dates to be confirmed UNICA Activity Report UNICA General Assembly, University of Cyprus, 26 October

6 Ongoing EC Projects - UNICA as Partner > EGRACONS: European GRading CONversion System Practical Approach to Improving ECTS Implementation in Europe; under Lifelong Learning: Erasmus Multilateral Projects; Project period: 1/10/ /9/2014 (2 years); Consortium: Universiteit Ghent (Coordinator), UNICA, Sapienza University of Rome, University of Lausanne, Vilnius University (all 3 UNICA members), Santander Group, Université de Liège; University of Rouen, University of Leon, University of Gothenburg, University of Essex, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Stichting Hoger Onderwijs Nederland, Den Haag; UNICA's role: WP leader: Dissemination; UNICA share: 13,813 (Total grant: 400,000); Project aim: Achieving a simple and unified interpretation and implementation of the ECTS grade conversion tables as recommended in the European Commission s ECTS User s Guide since 2009; the project requires a thorough prior study of the variety of grading habits at the EU HEIs, careful selection of data and an identification of a conversion algorithm to enable compatibility of the input and output data. >EM-ACE: Promoting Erasmus Mundus Towards European Students: Activate, Communicate, Engage under Erasmus Mundus Action 3: National Structures; Project period: 01/09/ /08/2015 (3 years); Consortium: Sapienza University of Rome (Coordinator), UNICA, Campus France, The Knowledge Partnership, Erasmus Mundus Alumni Association; UNICA's role: Coordinator of WP 2: Developing promotional material and WP4: Promotional campaign; Aims: by tailoring the promotion of Erasmus Mundus towards European students, the project has as its final objective an increase of both quantity and quality of received applications for Erasmus Mundus study programmes. >Be-Twin 2: ECVET-ECTS - Building Bridges and Overcoming Differences, continuation of the Be-Twin project under Leonardo da Vinci: Multilateral Projects for the Transfer of Innovation (TOI); Project period: 01/10/ /09/2014 (2 years); Consortium: Centro Produttivita Veneto (Coordinator); UNICA, Regione Veneto Direzione Formazione, Ufficio Scolastico Regionale per il Veneto, FONDAZIONE CRUI per e Università Italiane CCIP, Chambre de commerce et d industrie de Paris, 3s research laboratory, Fachhochschule UNICA Activity Report UNICA General Assembly, University of Cyprus, 26 October

7 Technikum Wien Höhere; Technische Bundeslehr- und Versuchsanstalt St.Pölten; Albeda College; KCH Services; UNICA's role: Coordinator of WP3: Adaptation of Methodology (together with experts from Charles University in Prague); Aim: adapting the methodology developed previously within the Be-Twin project. >UMEI: "Universités du Maghreb: Enseignement inclusif" (Maghreb Universities: Inclusive Education) under Tempus programme (Project period: October 3, October 2, 2013, 2 years); Consortium: Erasmushogeschool Brussel (Coordinator), UNICA, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Comenius University Bratislava (both UNICA members), Université Abdelmalek Essaâdi, Erasmus Student Network, Universidad de Santiago de Compostela, Compostela Group Université Paul-Valéry (Montpellier III), European Access Network, Fontys/ Opleidingscentrum Speciale Onderwijszorg, Université Hassan II Mohammedia Casabalanca, Université Ibn Zohr, Association de développement local méditerranéen, Association Louis Braille, Université de Sousse, Université de Sfax, Université Mentouri Constantine, Univérsité de Béjaïa, Université Aboubekr Belkaid ;UNICA s role: dissemination & quality assessment; Aim: improving the access to universities in the Maghreb for 3 target groups of students with special needs (related to economic insecurity, geographical origin or disability). UNICA-EUROPEAN UNIVERSITY ASSOCIATION UNICA, member of the EUA s Council for Dubrovnik, 2-5 September 2012, counted the Doctoral Education organizes UNICA PhD MASTER CLASSES: Prof. Melita contribution from Alexandra Bitusikova, Kovačević, Vice-Rector, University of Zagreb and Acting Chair of the EUA-CDE, Lesley Wilson, EUA Secretary General, EUA-CDE Senior Adviser. has been member of the UNICA PhD gave a speech in the session "Exploring MASTER CLASS Organising Committee. & identifying innovative approaches for The 2012 MASTER CLASS edition: How Europe-Canada academic cooperation" to Support Professional and Personal at the UNICA-ENCS Rectors Seminar: Development of Individual Doctoral Europe-Canada: The Future of Academic Candidates: Methods, Measures, Instruments, Tools, CAAS University of Zagreb, Cooperation, Brussels, 25 September UNICA Activity Report UNICA General Assembly, University of Cyprus, 26 October

8 Andrejs Rauhvargers, EUA Senior Adviser, presented the EUA's report "Global Rankings and Their Impact" at the UNICA IRO meeting 2012, Université de Lausanne, 2-4 May UNICA attended the EUA Annual Conference, University of Warwick, United Kigdom, March PARTICIPATION IN OTHER ORGANISATIONS' ACTIVITIES UNICA attended several ACA Seminars: What's new in Brussels? Recent developments in European policies and programmes, Brussels, 20 January 2012; Internationalisation audits. Assessing and improving institutional strategies, Brussels, 23 March 2012, The IMPI initiative and beyond. Mapping and profiling internationalisation, Brussels, 10 May UNICA attended the 24th EAIE Annual Conference: Rethinking Education, Reshaping Economies, Dublin, September UNICA Secretary General took part in the OECD/IMHE Conference: Attaining and Sustaining Mass Higher Education, Paris September 2012 and was invited to the OECD Round Table on Higher Education in Regional & City Development, Paris, September. UNICA participated in the LERU launch event: Research universities and research assessment, Brussels, 19 June UNICA Activity Report UNICA General Assembly, University of Cyprus, 26 October

9 2. GOING THE EXTRA MILE: UNICA ON THE GLOBE With the launching of Higher Education Reform III project, the scope of UNICA went beyond the European borders. UNICA has been organizing training seminars for Bologna Experts and Higher Education Experts from Tempus countries, as well as experts missions in selected Tempus countries. Through this and other European-funded projects, we began to carry out activities aimed at building institutional capacity and orienting education systems of the third countries to the best practices of the European Higher Education Area. At the same time, through mobility schemes and international study programmes, UNICA member universities have undergone a natural process of globalisation. They voice their need to exchange experiences, best practices, and to discuss different ways of collaboration with third countries. The recent meetings such as the Rectors Seminar "Europe-Canada: The Future of Academic Cooperation", Joint Workshop on Cooperation with China, and works on the policy document "UNICA on the globe", are a response to these demands. International cooperation through European schemes - Higher Education Reform III and UMEI: Maghreb Universities: Inclusive Education (see pages 5 & 7) - Planned setting up of the UNICA-MED Working Group, aimed at developing cooperation between UNICA and South Mediterranean universities in specific areas and exploring related EC programme schemes. UNICA "international" meetings (see pages 11 & 13) - UNICA-ENCS Rectors Seminar "Europe-Canada: The Future of Academic Cooperation", U. libre de Bruxelles/Vrije U. Brussel, September UNICA-Santander-Compostela Group Workshop Strategies for Successful Europe-China Collaboration in Research and Education, Brussels, 7 June Henry Ori (Anton De Kom University, Suriname) took part in the 3rd UNICA MASTER CLASS UNICA-Scholars At Risk: Following the recommendations voiced at the UNICA IRO meeting 2011, UNICA became an affiliate member of Scholars At Risk (SAR), an international network of institutions working to promote academic freedom and to defend the human rights of scholars worldwide. The 1 st UNICA-SAR Workshop on Academic Freedom will take place in early 2013 (see the UNICA Work Programme, page 7). Preparation of the UNICA on the globe - the UNICA Steering Committee has began working on the UNICA on the globe, policy document on UNICA s international outreach; following the consultations with UNICA members, it will presented at the UNICA General Assembly 2013 UNICA Activity Report UNICA General Assembly, University of Cyprus, 26 October

10 3. JOINED-UP THINKING FOR A JOINT SUCCESS: UNICA MEETINGS & ACTIVITIES In the academic year , UNICA organized a wide range of events in accordance with the UNICA clusters of activities. UNICA highly appreciates the initiatives and suggestions of the UNICA members, which helps the Network improve its added value, identify the topical issues of common importance for the members and organise activities that correspond to specific interests and concerns of the university communities. In the academic year 2011/2012, evaluation surveys have been conducted for 5 UNICA events. On average, 94,9% of respondents appreciated the quality of the meetings' content, and 93,38% declared that they would use the gained knowledge in their institutions. INTERNATIONALISATION & MOBILITY UNICA CP/IRO meeting 2011, Tallinn University, 15 October, took place in the framework of the UNICA General Assembly IRO meeting 2012, Université de Lausanne, 2-4 May 2012, had an impressive turnout of 55 participants from 30 UNICA member universities. It featured 5 sessions: University rankings: a transparency tool or smoke and mirrors?, Quality & Internationalisation with a knowledge café on welcoming skills, IRO Open Space, UNICA and Community Engagement with contribution from Sinead O Gorman from Scholars At Risk and Erasmus: The Future. Preparations of the UNICA IRO meeting 2013, Vrije U. Brussel/U. libre de Bruxelles, 6-7 May, The first preparatory meeting took place on 25 June 2012 in Brussels. The topics to be addressed at the IRO meeting 2013 were also discussed at the informal UNICA meeting at the EAIE 2012 Conference in Dublin, 12 September. UNICA Student Conference 2012: The Ideal European University, University of Oslo, October 2012, brought together more than 200 students from 32 UNICA member universities. The Conference was ecocertified by the Foundation for Environmental Education Norway (FEE).The students debated in 10 discussion forums, exploring issues such as sustainability as part of the university life, university & the culture of innovation, and the impact of crisis on higher education. The Jury of the UNICA Student Conference 2012 Movie Competi- UNICA Activity Report UNICA General Assembly, University of Cyprus, 26 October

11 tion gave the 1st Prize to the students of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. "We may be a small stone in the entire cathedral of the Ideal University. But nobody said that we can t be the pillar stone." Yanulka Hulova, student of Universidade de Lisboa The 3 rd UNICA-Santander-Compostela Group Workshop Strategies for Successful Europe-China Collaboration in Research and Education, Brussels, 7 June 2012, was a third in a series initiative organised jointly by the 3 university networks. The Workshop gathered more than 100 participants, among them experts from China. The programme featured a speech by Jianmin LI, Minister-Counselor of the Mission of the People's Republic of China to the EU. "Reciprocity is the word for the next decade. It popped up at the speech of Mr Li. It surfaced in analysis we heard as well as in several of the practical cases. Partnerships with mutually balanced contributions are necessary for success, with input from both sides, including staff, students and resources for research and for education." Jean-Pierre De Greve, member of the UNICA Steering Committee, at the 3rd UNICA-Santander- Compostela Group Workshop The 2 nd UNICA Workshop on International PR and Communication: Universities in the mirrors: What makes your brand unique?, University of Ljubljana, May 2012, was themed around branding at universities. It brought together almost 30 participants from 13 UNICA institutions. The UNICA Group on PR and Communication is now preparing the programme of the 3 rd UNICA Workshop on International PR & Communication: The added value of a University PR & Communication Officer, University of Cyprus, March Preparation of the 1 st UNICA Summer Schools Staff meeting, Tallinn University, November 2012, will aim to explore different kinds of summer schools that are run by UNICA member universities, and discuss possible cooperation ideas in this area (staff exchange, joint courses, marketing activities, etc). UNICA Secretariat received 4 trainees in o Sapienza University: 1 student o University of Ljubljana: 1 student o University of Warsaw: 1 student o Tallinn University of Technology: 1 student (UGAF traineeship) UNICA Activity Report UNICA General Assembly, University of Cyprus, 26 October

12 EDUCATION 12 th UNICA Bologna Lab Coordinators meeting, Charles University in Prague, 1-2 December The meeting focused on 3 main areas: consequences of the new Modernization Agenda for the policy shaping at HE institutions, measuring quality in education and the issue of transparency of university rankings, and future developments in doctoral programmes. Preparation of the 13 th UNICA Bologna Lab Coordinators Meeting: The Journey Towards Quality: Steps To Be Taken, Tor Vergata University, 6-7 December Information Project on Higher Education Reform III (renewal), in the framework of LLL programme (see section UNICA as a European Actor --> EC Projects) INENTER: Improving the quality of placements and internships from academia to enterprises. Coordinator: University of Cyprus (see section UNICA as a European Actor --> EC Projects) Admission and recognition (ECVET- ECTS): Be-Twin and Be-Twin 2, under Leonardo da Vinci sub-programme, LLL programme (see section UNICA as a European Actor --> EC Projects) 4 Cities: UNICA Euromaster in Urban Studies was one of 30 programmes (out of 177 applications) selected by the European Commission as Erasmus Mundus programmes; 4Cities is a 2-year interdisciplinary programme conducted jointly by 6 UNICA member Universities: Université libre de Bruxelles, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, University of UNICA Master in European History is an interdisciplinary, comparative Master offered by 9 UNICA universities: Humboldt Universität zu Berlin (coordinating institution), University of Vienna, University College Dublin, Università degli Studi di Roma Tor Vergata, Università degli Copenhagen, University of Vienna, Universidad Autonoma de Madrid, and Universidad Complutense de Madrid. The programme wants to open the national perspective on urban problems. It takes students to Brussels, Copenhagen, Vienna, Madrid and a number of surrounding cities. Studi di Roma Tre, King s College London; associated partners: Freie Universität zu Berlin, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Tallinn University. The fulltime programme consists of 4 semesters, during which students study at up to 3 partner universities. UNICA Activity Report UNICA General Assembly, University of Cyprus, 26 October

13 RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT The 6th UNICA meeting for EU Research Liaison Officers, was hosted by Stockholm University, October The recommendations of the participants regarding the Participants Portal and six-monthly reporting were sent to the European Commission. Preparation of the 7th UNICA meeting for EU Research Liaison Officers, Tallinn University/Tallinn University of Technology, November 2012 (with training on Getting Ready for Horizon 2020 by Dr Sean McCarthy, Hyperion Ltd). The 3 rd UNICA PhD MASTER CLASS: How to Support Professional and Personal Devel opment of Individual Doctoral Candidates: Methods, Measures, Instruments, Tools, 2-5 September 2012, CAAS University of Zagreb in Dubrovnik, focused on the Personal and Professional Development of doctoral candidates and discussed questions such as how supervisors and institutions can offer effective career guidance and what measures are needed to prepare doctoral candidates for successful careers. The proceedings of the 1 st and 2 nd editions of the UNICA PhD MASTER CLASS have been prepared & disseminated among the heads of doctoral schools at UNICA member universities & members of the UNICA PhD Group. POLICY & STRATEGY UNICA RECTORS SEMINARS: HIGH-LEVEL DISCUSSIONS ON HIGHER EDUCATION IS- SUES UNICA-ENCS Rectors Seminar "Europe-Canada: The Future of Academic Cooperation", Université libre de Bruxelles/Vrije Universiteit Brussel, September Organised jointly by UNICA and the European Network of Canadian Studies, the Seminar brought together nearly 60 Rectors/Presidents from European and Canadian universities, highlevel policy makers from the European institutions, and representatives of the Canadian embassies. The results of the Seminar will be disseminated as policy recommendations to European and Canadian decision-makers. "In the globalisation of Higher Education, universities need to behave as actors, not witnesses" Guy Breton, Rector, Université de Montréal (in the framework of the UNICA General Assembly 2012): - Seminars "Europe in Crisis and the Role of Higher Education" and "Universities Weaving and Mending the Social Fabric" UNICA Activity Report UNICA General Assembly, University of Cyprus, 26 October

14 - Rectors meeting "Evaluation in Higher Education & Research", combined with the presentation of the Vademecum "Evaluation in Higher Education: Reflections for University Leaders" prepared by the UNICA Core Group on Evaluation in Higher Education & Research UNICA Green Academic Footprint: - 2 nd UNICA Green Academic Footprint (UGAF) Open Workshop "Campus as Living Laboratory for Environmental Sustainability", Université de Lausanne, February UGAF's input to the People s Sustainability Treaty on Higher Education for Rio+20 - UGAF's contribution to the poster session at the 3rd Congress of Resilient Cities, Bonn, May UGAF at the UNICA Student Conference UGAF's website & publications (see page 16) Scholarly Communication: - 6 th UNICA Scholarly Communication Seminar Libraries at a Crossroads: Crisis and/or Dialogue?, Université libre de Bruxelles - Vrije Universiteit Brussel, November 2012 MAPPING UNICA MEMBERS ACTIVITY Every year, each UNICA member University receives a UNICA Participation Chart : a comprehensive overview of UNICA activities for the last 5 academic years. The Participation Charts aim to evaluate the quality of the conducted activities, but also analyse the interests and priorities of UNICA members. It is recommended that the Contact Person and Rector/President organize a meeting at their institution with all colleagues that have participated in UNICA activities. We greatly appreciate your feedback: your comments and suggestions allow us better fulfil the needs of our member Universities, and improve the quality of our services. MISSION & LINK WITH SOCIETY UN ICA Secretary General took part in the OECD Round Table on Higher Education in Regional & City Development, Paris, OECD Conference Centre, September Preparation of the "Smart Academic Cities" Workshop in the framework of the Open Days University at the 10th European Week of Regions and Cities, Brussels, 9 October The Workshop is organised together by UNICA and European Office of Cyprus, in cooperation with the Capital Cities and Regions Network (CCRN). UNICA Activity Report UNICA General Assembly, University of Cyprus, 26 October

15 4. UNICA GENERAL ASSEMBLY & STEERING COMMITTEE MEETINGS GENERAL ASSEMBLY 2011 AND 2012 UNICA General Assembly 2011, October, Tallinn University/Tallinn University of Technology Preparation of the UNICA General Assembly 2012, October, University of Cyprus STEERING COMMITTEE February 2012, Université de Lausanne 12 June 2012, Ankara University 12 October 2012, University of Oslo 25 and 27 October 2012, University of Cyprus UNICA Activity Report UNICA General Assembly, University of Cyprus, 26 October

16 5. GETTING THE MESSAGE THROUGH Given the increasing diversity of events, undertaken projects, the need to strengthen the visibility of the Network and attract the prospective partners and funding opportunities, one of UNICA s major attempts is to communicate the outcomes of UNICA activities via Web, targeted mailings, and a number of publications disseminated among the members of the UNICA community as well as stakeholders: representatives of the European Commission, European Parliament, Ministries of Higher Education, student associations and peer university networks. UNICA e-newsletters: UNICA e-newsletter Since 2006, UNICA sends 4 (quarterly) e- newsletters to the UNICA member Universities and partners. Each newsletter represents the 3 months of UNICA activities in a nutshell: reports on recent meetings and announces the upcoming events, contains information on new initiatives, includes pictures and links that direct you to the relevant articles on the UNICA website. UGAF website: in early 2012, the UNICA Green Academic Footprint initiative gained its own logo and a website ( Apart from information about UGAF itself, the website contains news on conferences and new initiatives in environmental sustainability, a green media library containing articles, book reviews, movies, and podcasts, and a database with best green practices from UNICA member universities. Since its official launch in February 2012, UGAF website attracted the attention of 3,500 different users. UGAF brochure: presents UGAF aims, ongoing activities and envisaged projects UNICA Activity Report UNICA General Assembly, University of Cyprus, 26 October

17 UNICA website: - updating the calendar of UNICA events, activities, and EC projects - updating the News from Our Members section: all member Universities are welcome to send us the news about the organised conferences, achievements and awards as well as project and recruitment calls; your summer/winter schools and staff mobility weeks can also be announced in special sections of the UNICA website Other websites: - maintaining the HER III and European Campus websites, - maintaining the Virtual Community of Bologna Experts (in the framework of the Higher Education Reform III Project); at present, Virtual Community counts more than 1,000 users. UNICA EC Projects promotional materials: - Higher Education Expert s Calendar 2013 (publication of the HER III project) - UNICA-HER III and TEMPUS USB flash cards UNICA PhD MASTER CLASS Proceedings: - Proceedings of the 1 st UNICA PhD MASTER CLASS (2009) - Proceedings of the 2 nd UNICA PhD MAS- TER CLASS (2011) UNICA Activity Report UNICA General Assembly, University of Cyprus, 26 October

18 6. CONCLUSIONS & THANKS All of the initiatives envisaged in the Work Programme were undertaken. Some of them are still in the process of development and will be continued in the current academic year, either through new project proposals, or at UNICA meetings. The success of the UNICA events that took place in the academic year reflects great credit on the hosting Universities: we extend our sincere appreciation and thanks for their engagement and efforts. UNICA warmly thanks all the Rectors/Presidents, Vice-Rectors/Vice-Presidents, members of the UNICA Steering Committee, International Relations Officers, UNICA Contact Persons, members of the UNICA Working Groups and other members of the UNICA community for your ongoing active support. UNICA Activity Report UNICA General Assembly, University of Cyprus, 26 October

19 UNICA SECRETARIAT Contact: C/o University Foundation (4 th floor) Rue d Egmont 11, B-1000 Brussels, BELGIUM Tel: +32/(0)2/ Fax: +32/(0)2/ office@unica-network.eu Public transport connections: Metro lines 2 and 6 (Trone) Bus line 21 (Brussels Airport Line) Bus lines 27, 95, 71, 38 (Trone) Visit the Brussels-based UNICA Secretariat and make use of the UNICA meeting room: the room can be booked for the activities of the UNICA members (maximum capacity ca 10 people). The guests have free access to wireless Internet, projector, flipchart, and coffee & tea facilities. WE RE HERE Traineeship at the UNICA Secretariat Students from the UNICA member Universities are encouraged to apply for a traineeship at the UNICA Secretariat: it is a great opportunity to work in a small but multinational office, learn about the recent developments in the EHEA & ERA, and gain hands-on experience in varied activities and projects of the Network. UNICA Activity Report UNICA General Assembly, University of Cyprus, 26 October

20 Brussels, October 2012 UNICA Activity Report UNICA General Assembly, University of Cyprus, 26 October