Contents. UNICA General Assembly 2011, Tallinn University, 14 October

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1 President s Report UNICA ACTIVITY REPORT Academic Year Contents 1. UNICA AS A EUROPEAN ACTOR 2. UNICA MEETINGS AND ACTIVITIES 3. UNICA GENERAL ASSEMBLY AND STEERING COMMITTEE MEETINGS 4. EXTERNAL COMMUNICATION 5. CONCLUSIONS UNICA IN A BIG PICTURE: held 13 UNICA seminars, meetings and workshops which gathered more than 300 participants welcomed 3 new member universities formed the following 3 new working groups: development aid cooperation, green academic footprint and international PR and communication won the first prize in the EquNet: European Competition for Equity - Inclusive Higher Education! with the video of the ExchangeAbility project received 4 trainees at the UNICA Secretariat from 4 UNICA member universities involved 20 experts from its member universities in the HER III Seminars (Nov 2010 Aug 2011) was among 9 European HE organizations and institutions that submitted their response to the EU Green Paper on innovation and funding. UNICA General Assembly 2011, Tallinn University, 14 October

2 1. UNICA AS A EUROPEAN ACTOR One of the main tasks of the UNICA Network is to advocate the views of its members to the European institutions and to make sure that the role of universities is given prominence in shaping higher education policies and the development of the European Higher Education Area as well as the European Research Area. With this regard, UNICA participated in the consultations on the EU Green Paper From Challenges to Opportunities: Towards a Common Strategic Framework for EU Research and Innovation Funding (enclosed). A significant means of raising the visibility of the Network on the European scene is the participation and implementation of the EC-funded projects. That is why UNICA steps up its efforts to develop new projects together with its member universities, as well as aims to support 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 places a strong focus on the cooperation with other European HE institutions, such as European University Association (EUA) and the EUA Council for Doctoral Education. RESPONSE TO THE EU GREEN PAPER ON INNOVATION AND FUNDING UNICA was among 9 European higher education organizations and institutions that submitted their response to the EU Green Paper From Challenges to Opportunities: Towards a Common Strategic Framework for EU Research and Innovation Funding. In the paper, UNICA advocates the idea of green academic footprint and highlights the need for assuring effective doctoral supervision, strengthening the ties with business and industry by cross-border and cross-sectoral initiatives, and fostering the role of libraries and learning centres as driving forces in the elimination of the scientific information gaps. José Barroso, President of the European Commission, Maire Geoghehan Quinn, EU Commissioner for research, innovation and science, and Robert-Jan Smits, Director General Research and Innovation, expressed their appreciation for the UNICA s contributions in letters addressed to the UNICA President I would like to thank you in particular for your support and detailed comments on the importance of the knowledge triangle the active involvement and integration of education, in particular higher education, is a crucial element for the success of the three distinct but mutually reinforcing blocks of the Common Strategic Framework excellence in the science base, creating leadership and competitive frameworks and tackling social challenges Robert-Jan Smits, Director General Research and Innovation, European Commission UNICA General Assembly 2011, Tallinn University, 14 October

3 EC PROJECTS Completed EC Projects Erasmus Mundus Action 4 Project European Campus: Enhancing Overseas Student Mobility (UNICA: Coordinator). Contract Period: Nov Jan. 2011; UNICA share - 2 years: (Total budget: 262,800) - Platform contains 162 Master programmes, among them nearly 60% of all existing Erasmus Mundus Master programmes, a number which is still growing. - Within the framework of the project and in cooperation with Santander and Coimbra Groups, a Workshop Successful Application and Management Procedures of Erasmus Mundus Action 1 Joint Programmes was organized on 11 January 2011 in Brussels and gathered 70 attendees. - European Campus final café event took place on 27 January 2011, featured the speech of Koen Nomden, Erasmus Mundus Programme Coordinator (EACEA) and counted the presence of more than 100 guests: representatives of the EC, student associations, other academic networks. Ongoing EC Projects Information Project on Higher Education Reform III, service contract with the European Commission DG EAC and EACEA (TEMPUS unit); Contract Period: Dec 2009 Dec 2011; Consortium: UNICA (coordinator)-brussels Education Services; UNICA share - 2 years: (Total budget: ) - Organization of 3 training seminars for Bologna and Higher Education Reform Experts combined with workshops: "The Social Dimension of Higher Education: Building Excellence & Equity", University of Cyprus, November 2010, Promoting Learning Mobility, Brussels, March 2011 and Modernization of Curricula, University of Oslo, 6-7 June Organization of 3 TEMPUS regional seminars: "Management of Quality in the context of National Quality Framework, Tbilisi State University, 4-5 November 2010, "Higher Education in Western Balkans: Quality Assurance and Accreditation", Polytechnic University of Tirana, February 2011, "Diploma and Degrees Comparability. Double/Multiple Diplomas and Degrees", Moscow State University of Railway Engineering, April and "Strategic Planning in Higher Education in Central Asia" in T. Ryskulov Kazakh Economic University, 7-8 July experts from UNICA member universities were involved in the HER III seminars in the period from November 2010 to July Virtual Community for Bologna and Higher Education Reforms Experts counts more than 900 participants. UNICA General Assembly 2011, Tallinn University, 14 October

4 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; UNICA share 1 year: (Total budget ); 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) - 5 site visits at project partner universities took place: Comenius University in Bratislava, 31 January 1 February 2011, Erasmus Hogeschool Brussel, February 2011, Eötvös Loránd University of Budapest, March 2011, University of Cyprus, 7-8 April 2011, Tallinn University of Technology, 5-6 May ExchangeAbility videos depicting the student lives of disabled students from the project partner universities were shot by 2 students of film making; the video portraying Mei Lan, visually-impaired student of Erasmus Hogeschool Brussel, won the 1 st prize (audio-visual category) in the EquNet Competition 2011: European Competition for Equity. - Eva Reina from the UNICA Office presented the project at the ERACON Conference, Athens, 27 April-1 May 2011, European Access Network 20th Anniversary Conference, Amsterdam June, and the International Conference Education For All, University of Warsaw, 29 June 1 July. - The final café event of the ExchangeAbility project with the screening of the ExchangeAbility movie will take place on 25 October in Brussels; on 26 October the project will be presented during the National Agencies meeting at the European Commission. 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 coordinated WP 2 (Methodology) and participates in WP 6 (Dissemination); Contract period: Mar 2009 Feb UNICA share - 3 years: (Total budget: 566,270;); - Methodological Guide ECVET-ECTS: Building Bridges and Overcoming Differences (electronic publication) published in July The project and the methodological guide were presented during the 11 th UNICA Bologna Lab meeting, Vilnius University, 1-2 December UNICA participated in the 2 SC meetings held in in the framework of the project: Venice, 2-3 March 2011 and Paris, September Project s final event: Paris, 9 December 2011 will feature contributions from the representatives of UNICA members. UNICA General Assembly 2011, Tallinn University, 14 October

5 INENTER project: Improving the quality of placements and internships from academia to enterprises. Coordinator: University of Cyprus. Contract period: Oct Sept UNICA share 2 years: (Total budget: ). UNICA coordinates 2 Work Packages and is responsible for the creation and management of the project website, translations, promotional material and dissemination plan. - UNICA participated in the 2 consortia meetings: University of Cyprus, October 2010, and Tallinn University of Technology, 17 February UNICA-EUROPEAN UNIVERSITY ASSOCIATION UNICA, member of the EUA s Council for Doctoral Education organizes UNICA MASTER CLASSES: the 2011 edition: Toolkit on Supervision in Doctoral Education took place in the Centre for Advanced Academic Studies of the University of Zagreb, Dubrovnik, 28 August-1 September Melita Kovacevic, Vice-Rector of Science and Technology and member of the EUA-CDE Steering Committee, and Lucas Zinner, Head of the Center for Doctoral Studies University of Vienna, are members of the UNICA Master Class Organising Committee. UNICA attended the EUA Annual Conference Investing Today in Talent for Tomorrow, Aarhus University, October Andrejs Rauhvargers, EUA Senior Adviser, gave a presentation University Rankings: How Do They Influence Quality Management and Policy-Making at Universities? during the UNICA Rectors Seminar 2011: Quality in Pursuit of Excellence, 16 September PARTICIPATION IN OTHER ORGANISATIONS' ACTIVITIES UNICA attended several ACA Seminars: Mobility under the magnifying glass: New insights, old challenges, future perspectives, Brussels, 3 December 2010; Brazil, Russia, India, China. Key points on the European higher education compass?, Brussels, 18 March 2011 and ACA Annual Conference: The excellence imperative. World-class aspirations and real-world needs, Vienna, May UNICA participated in the Erasmus Mundus Info Days, 7 February, 4 th University-Business Forum, March 201, and the EU-China Forum on Youth Entrepreneurship, Brussels 19 May 2011, the EC Brainstorming Sessions and Experts Round Tables. UNICA Secretary General was invited to take part in the EC-Stakeholders meeting Modernisation of Higher Education: Education, Research and Innovation, Brussels, 25 January 2011, U-Multirank final conference, Brussels, 9 June 2011, and the European University-Enterprise Network Conference in Reykjavik, May UNICA General Assembly 2011, Tallinn University, 14 October

6 2. UNICA MEETINGS AND ACTIVITIES in the academic year , UNICA organized a wide range of events in accordance with the UNICA clusters of activities. Apart from regular UNICA meetings and seminars, new events took place, targeted to the changing academic landscape and new needs of universities, organized on the initiative of the UNICA members, such as UNICA Workshop on Green Academic Footprint, UNICA Meetings on Development Aid Cooperation and the 1 st UNICA International Workshop on PR and Communication. This fresh impetus from UNICA member universities helps the Network improve its added value, identify the topical issues of common importance and organise activities that correspond to specific interests and concerns of the university communities. Policy & Strategy Internationalisation & Mobility Education Mission statement and link with society Research & Development INTERNATIONALISATION & MOBILITY UNICA CP/IRO meeting 2010, University of Vienna, 30 October 2010 in the framework of the UNICA General Assembly 2010 IRO meeting 2011, University of Oslo, 4-6 May, Gathered 44 International Relations Officers from 29 UNICA member universities, - Featured 5 sessions: Challenging cooperation and mobility: examples and opportunities, Putting the squeeze on international offices: options on how to do with too much and too few people to do with, Youth on the Move: mobility without funding? (presentation by Lene OFTEDAL, EC), Learning from Norway: obligatory stays abroad and national databases and Your timeslot: contributions from the members. Preparation of the IRO meeting 2012, Université de Lausanne, 2-4 May, Preparatory meeting 16 September 2010, Copenhagen, in the framework of the EAIE Conference 2011, was conducted by Trine SAND (IRO Observer, University of Copenhagen) UNICA CP/IRO meeting 2011, Tallinn University, 15 October, in the framework of the UNICA General Assembly 2011 UNICA General Assembly 2011, Tallinn University, 14 October

7 Preparation of the UNICA Student Conference 2012, University of Oslo, October UNICA Secretariat traineeship: 4 trainees in o Roma Tre University: 1 student o University of Ljubljana: 1 student o Comenius University in Bratislava: 1 student o Sapienza University: 1 student 1 st UNICA International Workshop on PR and Communication, May 2011, brought together nearly 30 PR-specialists from UNICA universities and discussed the current challenges of communication at higher education institutions and different ways to communicate with the international and local communities, employees and prospective, current and former students. The concerns expressed and the issues raised by the participants during the Workshop prompted the setting up of a UNICA Group on PR and Communication. The 2 nd Workshop on PR and Communication is planned for the year Preparation of an EC-project proposal: Social Dimension of Mobility (Lifelong Learning: Erasmus Accompanying Measures): proposal prepared with the support of José LISON, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, and Universidad Autónoma de Madrid EDUCATION 11 th Bologna Lab Coordinators Meeting: Meeting Challenges of Bologna 2020, University of Vilnius, 2-3 December 2010 Preparation of 12 th Bologna Lab Coordinators Meeting, Charles University Prague, 1-2 December 2011 European Campus project: developed in the framework of the Erasmus Mundus Action IV (see section UNICA as a European Actor > EC Projects) Information Project on Higher Education Reform III, in the framework of LLL programme (see section UNICA as a European Actor > EC Projects) INENTER project: 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: Be-twin, ECTS/ECVET project, in the framework of the Leonardo da Vinci sub-programme, LLL programme (see section UNICA as a European Actor > EC Projects) UNICA Master in European History: - 9 UNICA universities as teaching institutions: University of Vienna, Tallinn University, Humboldt Universität zu Berlin, Freie Universität zu Berlin, University College Dublin, Università degli Studi di Roma Tor Vergata, Università degli Studi di Roma Tre, Universidade de Lisboa, King s College London. -Establishment of programme structure and history modules (compulsory and optional). -The consortium agreement to be signed by the end of UNICA General Assembly 2011, Tallinn University, 14 October

8 RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT 5 th UNICA meeting for EU Research Liaison Officers: FP7 & FP8 Simplifying procedures; Fostering University-REA partnerships for professional project management, Università degli Studi di Roma Tre, November 2010; the outcome of the meeting, UNICA EU Research Liaison Officers position paper for the simplification of future Framework Programmes of Research and Technological Development of the European Union was sent to the European Commission. Organization of the 6 th UNICA meeting for EU Research Liaison Officers, Stockholm University, October 2011: the meeting will count the contributions from Elisabeth Schermer (EC: Marie Curie Actions) and Daniel Tarschys, former Secretary of the Council of Europe. 2 nd UNICA Master Class: Toolkit for Supervision in Doctoral Education, 28 August-1 September, Centre for Advanced Academic Studies University of Zagreb, Dubrovnik and work on the postconference publication Toolkit for Supervision in Doctoral Education Preparation of the 3 rd UNICA Master Class 2012, Centre for Advanced Academic Studies University of Zagreb, Dubrovnik, 2-6 September Organization of the 2 nd UNICA Entrepreneurship Competition for Students and Young Researchers: teams of 14 UNICA universities successfully submitted their business plans, 10 of which have taken part in the Competition for the 2 nd time. POLICY & STRATEGY UNICA Rectors Seminars: High level discussions on Higher Education issues UNICA Seminar in the framework of the UNICA General Assembly 2010, University of Vienna: Internationalization Strategies, 30 October UNICA Rectors Seminar: Quality in Pursuit of Excellence, Centre for Advanced Academic Studies University of Zagreb, Dubrovnik, 16 September UNICA Seminar in the framework of the UNICA General Assembly 2011, Tallinn University: Arts in the University Curricula, 15 October Preparation of the UNICA Workshop The Relation between Universities and Academic Hospitals: the Academic Function of Medical Schools, King s College London, 29 November UNICA General Assembly 2011, Tallinn University, 14 October

9 UNICA Core Group on Evaluation in Research and Higher Education (chair: Prof. Philippe VINCKE, Université libre de Bruxelles): the Group members conducted several questionnaires at their universities and hold meetings in order to evaluate and analyse the results. The members committed themselves to work on the creation of a Vade-mecum for the Rectors and Presidents of UNICA Universities as a sustainable outcome of the exercise: the development of indicators ratios, identifying shortcomings and inaccuracies in the existing methodologies, and providing interesting and useful comparisons for the university management. UNICA Green Academic Footprint: -Establishing a UNICA Green Academic Footprint Working Group (chair: Jorulf SILDE, University of Oslo) and Reference Group composed of Rectors and Vice-Rectors -Organisation of 1 st UNICA Workshop on Green Academic Footprint, University of Oslo, 3-4 May 2011 and preparation of the 2 nd Workshop, Université libre de Bruxelles, Skype conferences aimed at delineating the policy proposal on UNICA Green Academic Footprint: the document acknowledges environmental sustainability as being at the core of universities mission and advocates UNICA universities commitment to rising to the global environmental challenges. -The Working Group aims to develop the policy into an overall strategic plan for UNICA universities and investigate the opportunities to undertake an EC-funded project. Scholarly Communication: -5 th Scholarly Communication Seminar Find it, Get it, Use it, Store it, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, 7-9 November Preparation of the 6 th Scholarly Communication Seminar Libraries at a Crossroads: Crisis and/or Dialogue?, Université libre de Bruxelles - Vrije Universiteit Brussel, November 2012: preparatory meeting UNICA Secretariat, Brussels, 20 June 2011 UNICA GENERAL POLICIES UNICA sent a UNICA Participation Chart to each member university. The report presents a comprehensive overview of UNICA activities for the 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 would greatly appreciate if you could send your comments and suggestions to the UNICA Secretariat: your feedback will allow us to enhance dialogue, better fulfil the needs of our member Universities, and improve the quality of our services. The UNICA Policy for Projects was drafted, amended in consultation with International Relations Officers and discussed by the UNICA Steering Committee. The policy statement aims at clarifying the project development opportunities open to UNICA Members and Working Groups (WG). The document will be presented at the UNICA General Assembly, 14 October, UNICA General Assembly 2011, Tallinn University, 14 October

10 MISSION & LINK WITH SOCIETY Establishing a UNICA Working Group on Development Aid Cooperation (Chair: Gaëlle Ducarme, Université libre de Bruxelles) -1 st meeting, UNICA Secretariat, Brussels, 27 January 2011 identified the issues and questions to be addressed by the Group -2 nd meeting, UNICA Secretariat, Brussels, 17 June 2011, focused on the funding opportunities and featured the contributions from Dr. Carlos Casal (Legal Officer, EuropeAid) and Deirdre Lennan (EC EAC). -The Group plans to submit an EC project related to internationalisation at universities in developing countries (more information in the Work Programme ). Cooperation with the representation offices of capitals of the European Union: - UNICA Secretary General met with Mr. Geert DE ROEP, Director International Relations, Ministry of the Brussels Region, and Ms. Romée PAMEIJER, representative of the Dutch G4 (Amsterdam, Rotterdam, The Hague, Utrecht) office in Brussels to discuss the possibilities of cooperation. UNICA-University of Warsaw Conference Cities and their Universities for the Creation of Knowledge and Innovation, University of Warsaw, September 2011 (organised in the framework of the Polish presidency to the EU and under the patronage of Mayor of Warsaw Ms. Hanna Gronkiewicz-Waltz ); the Conference had 4 plenary sessions: Universities as Creators of Innovation for Development, Entrepreneurial and Innovative University, Strategies for University Research and Education and Urban Policies for Research and Education. UNICA General Assembly 2011, Tallinn University, 14 October

11 3. UNICA GENERAL ASSEMBLY AND STEERING COMMITTEE MEETINGS GENERAL ASSEMBLY 2010 AND 2011 UNICA General Assembly 2010, October, University of Vienna. Preparation of the UNICA General Assembly 2011, October, Tallinn University/Tallinn University of Technology. STEERING COMMITTEE March 2011, SC meeting, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid 6 May 2011, SC meeting, University of Oslo, Oslo 12 September 2011, SC meeting, UNICA Secretariat, Brussels 13 and 15 October 2011, SC meetings, Tallinn University UNICA General Assembly 2011, Tallinn University, 14 October

12 4. EXTERNAL COMMUNICATION Given the increasing diversity of events, undertaken projects, and 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 and a number of publications that can be 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 academic networks. Rome Declaration: as a document expressing the voice of nearly 300 students participating in the UNICA Student Conference 2010, the publication was sent out to the Rectors, Presidents and IROs of UNICA member Universities, Ministers of Education, Members of the European Parliament (Commission on Culture and Education) and the representatives of the European Commission. Minister of Education of Spain, Mr. Ángel Gabilondo Pujol, Minister of Education and Culture of Cyprus, Mr. Andreas Demetriou, and Minister of Education of Malta, Mrs. Dolores Cristina, expressed their appreciation for the document and the testimony to the significant role that students play in the advancement of Higher Education. Michaela Pellegrino, student of Psychology of Università degli studi di Roma La Sapienza and participant of the Conference, created the graphic design for the publication. I have read the declaration with great interest. It touches upon a number of issues that we have been discussing in Europe for a number of years by means of the Bologna Process and which I consider to be of great value in enhancing the holistic learning experience of students ( ) Dolores Cristina, Minister of Education, Employment and the Family, Malta UNICA e-newsletters: 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 ones, contains information on new initiatives, includes pictures and links that direct you to the relevant articles on the UNICA website. On its 5 th birthday, the UNICA e-newsletter gained a new, refreshing look. UNICA General Assembly 2011, Tallinn University, 14 October

13 Websites: - updating the calendar of UNICA events and activities, EC projects and Working Groups, - 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, - 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) - creating the accessible ExchangeAbility website. UNICA Stationery: The change of premises and website required new UNICA stationery materials: in 2011, new UNICA envelopes, folders for conference materials, and notepads were printed. UNICA EC Projects promotional materials: - Higher Education Expert s Personal Handbook (publication of the HER III project) combines a notepad and a memorandum with agenda, information on EU policies in the field of Higher Education, useful tips on how to efficiently prepare for and use the training gained during the HER III Seminars, and inspirational quotes. - UNICA-HER III and TEMPUS USB Sticks - ExchangeAbility leaflets - ExchangeAbility postcards with inspirational quotes in Braille and in print. UNICA General Assembly 2011, Tallinn University, 14 October

14 5. CONCLUSIONS All of the activities envisaged in the Work Programme were undertaken. Some of them, such as the WIN initiative are still in the process of development and will be continued in the current academic year. 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. Brussels, October 2011 UNICA Secretariat, c/ University Foundation, Rue d'egmont n 11, 1000 Brussels, BELGIUM UNICA Secretariat is pleased to welcome you in its Brussels premises and the UNICA meeting room: the room can be booked for the activities of the UNICA members (maximum capacity 8-10 people) and offers facilities such as projector and Internet access. Traineeship at the UNICA Secretariat: Students from the UNICA member Universities are encouraged to apply for a traineeship at the UNICA office in Brussels: it is a great opportunity to work in a small but multinational office, acquire sound knowledge on the recent developments in the EHEA & ERA, and gain hands-on experience in varied activities and projects of the Network! UNICA General Assembly 2011, Tallinn University, 14 October

15 NOTES UNICA General Assembly 2011, Tallinn University, 14 October

16 UNICA General Assembly 2011, Tallinn University, 14 October