Transcript EUA Progress report since 18 December

International Aspects of the
European Research Agenda
Lesley Wilson
EUA Secretary General
Monash University
15 November 2007
I. Introduction to EUA
Created as a result of a merger in 2001
Nearly 800 Members in 46 countries
 Individual members: doctorate-granting
institutions
 Collective members: 34 National rectors’
conferences
 Associate and affiliate members
Goals:
 Represent the sector - shape policy developments
 Strengthen the sector - through institutional
development activities
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How do Universities benefit from EUA ?
Institutional
Evaluation
Programme (IEP)
Policy Forum:
Voice of the universities
at European level
-Bologna - European Research Area Information
and exchange
of good practice
between
members
Participating in pilot
projects e.g. Joint
Masters, Quality
Culture : working
together, sharing
good practice
Member
Services
Annual Conferences,
specialised
workshops &
seminars for HE
leaders & managers
Communication:
Publications
Website
Newletters
Brussels lobbying
etc.
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The different roles of EUA
1. Policy – representing universities at European level
1. In the Bologna process
2. On a broad range of research policy issues
Advocating for the inclusion of universities as partners at
European level, e.g. the debate on the EIT
Taking the initiative on doctoral programme reform with a focus
on career development for young researchers
Impacting upon the 7th EU Research Framework Programme:
content & guidelines governing the participation of universities
(procedures & cost support models)
Following closely the work of the European Research Council
(ERC)
Promoting university/industry collaboration & knowledge transfer
– “responsible partnering” guidelines
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2. Service & support to members
Through projects involving members working
together in networks – to promote mutual
learning, increase expertise & provide a basis for
policy e.g.
 Quality, quality culture & creativity issues
 Joint degrees & their implementation
 Doctoral programmes and ‘doc careers’
 Open Access to scientific publications
 Transparent costing of universities, starting
from externally funded research activities
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 ‘Responsible partnering’
with industry
II. The European Policy Framework (1)
Higher Education remains predominantly a national
responsibility
Bologna process: A large Europe (46 countries) looking
for convergence through common structures and tools
The EU 27’s Lisbon Strategy : A smaller Europe with
ambitious economic and social goals - a focus on
research and a wider societal transformation process
Limited EU responsibility for Higher Education but
growing competence in relation to research
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II. The European Policy Framework
2.- The European Research Area
The revised Lisbon agenda – push for excellence in research
& innovation – focus on researcher careers, the European
Research Council (ERC) but also the European Institute of
Technology ..
The 7th Framework Programme – 2007/2013, over € 50
billion incl. the ERC with increased funding over 7 years
European structural & social funds can now be used for
promoting research & innovation, i.e. for modernising HE
“Money follows research”/portability of grants
Key role of universities > their role in doctoral education,
research training & in promoting interdisciplinarity
Broad consensus on a “Modernisation agenda” for
universities – European Commission & stakeholders
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III. - The importance of Internationalisation –
1. The 7th Research Framework Programme
Why?
To support EU competitiveness - cooperation and
competition in a global world
To enhance the production of knowledge and promote
synergies globally
To address specific research questions of common interest
How?
Increased scope of international actions (€180 Mio)
“Cooperation” – research theme oriented cooperation
“People” – Marie Curie ‘international incoming fellowships’
“Capacities” – horizontal support
“Ideas” – European Research Council – 1st call:
‘independent researchers’ (April 07) – enormous response
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III. 2 - The growing importance of internationalisation
for European universities
Universities - traditionally international but new
approaches to internationalisation required given
 the growing cost of research,
 globalisation & growing competition, also from new providers
etc..
 Implementing the Bologna process, the European Research
Area,
The challenge – to remain a driving force for
internationalisation universities need to rethink their
role & develop specific profiles & portfolios – this
requires more autonomy & a discussion on funding >
“modernisation agenda”
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III. 3 - Rethinking internationalisation: key elements
The growing importance of networks, alliances & partnerships – to
achieve critical mass in research, build innovation potential with
partners etc..
Graduate education has a critical role to play
Joint degrees becoming increasingly popular among European
universities
International quality evaluations, accreditation etc..
Requires building an internationalisation strategy at institutional
level that corresponds to role, profile & ambitions as well as
 Coping with faculties’ autonomy
 Combining top down & bottom up approaches ie making the
most of the contacts of individual researchers
 Removing obstacles to mobility
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III. 4 - The growing importance of networks In response to new challenges (& policy demands)
Globalisation & rapid technological developments
Competition for students, researchers, resources & prestige
In order to:
Enhance capacity in research & innovation..
Enable universities to build critical mass in a manageable way
Provide responses to shared concerns as well as
complementary expertise
Share good practice and learn from one another
Raise the collective profile of members, be it at regional
national or international level
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III.5 - Challenges of building successful networks
To identify focus in line with institutional mission &
strategic interests
To be effective in representing needs of diverse
membership while maximising the combined potential
of all
To identify clear objectives & to divide tasks between
different partners
To bridge inter-institutional & intercultural differences
To balance cooperation & competition between the
partners
To develop good & regular communication among the
members..
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Working together with Universities Australia
– possible areas of collaboration From our discussions this week as a starting
point..
Strengthen cooperation on doctoral programmes &
look for support for more & better funded ‘jointly
badged’ PhDs (example of co-tutelle arrangements
etc.)
 Global platform already exists – ‘Banff principles’
(09/07)
Seek to facilitate joint research collaboration – by
identifying possible structural obstacles?
Use the funding opportunities available through the
Framework Programme, the next phase of Erasmus
Mundus that will also support joint doctorates etc..
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The EUA Secretariat in
Brussels
www.eua.be
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