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EUA Conference Universities and Society: Engaging Stakeholders. Working Group 3:. Responding to specific local needs. EUA Conference Universities and Society: Engaging Stakeholders. Case study: University of Aveiro. Goddard: “common” situation
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EUA Conference Universities and Society: Engaging Stakeholders Working Group 3: Responding to specific local needs
EUA Conference Universities and Society: Engaging Stakeholders Case study: University of Aveiro • Goddard: “common” situation • Mid-size, relatively new university in a medium-sized city • Innovative in linking the university its region: assuming socioeconomic responsibility • Several ex of univ/industry partnerships at reg’l level • Developing strengths in basic research • Univ/enterprise satellite groups • Proactive, visionary, entrepreneurial
EUA Conference Universities and Society: Engaging Stakeholders Diverse Structural Environments • Research structures and regulatory environment (tax, patents) vary enormously • Decisive impact on capacity to develop research • Interest in EUA pursuing national comparative analysis, and invesitgation of the diversification of institutions in Europe (univ, univ-colleges, nat’l laboraties, technological service institutions)
EUA Conference Universities and Society: Engaging Stakeholders Strategic Policy Decisions • Impossible for university to meet all needs of region: Need for strategic decisions • Policy can not be harmonised across Europe • Begin by self-evaluation and internal dialogue • Assessment of regional needs: • Support research in areas relevant to regional development: visionary • Develop human resource capacity (by educating students through research and community partnerships)
EUA Conference Universities and Society: Engaging Stakeholders Strategic Policy Decisions II • Difficult to find balance between building upon strengths within the univ, and fostering new areas • Way of responding to society needs is educating students through strong disciplinary training and developing flexible, critical thinking skills
EUA Conference Universities and Society: Engaging Stakeholders Examples of Institutional Projects • Develop shared responsibility among actors within university: • Students: main stakeholders, vehicles for knowledge transfer to society, ambassadors • ex. Society-based learning • Professors: medical faculty model, need for strong HR policy, link to promotion • Faculty/Dept: efficiently use best researches, adopt broad responsibility
EUA Conference Universities and Society: Engaging Stakeholders Examples of Institutional Projects II • Develop new institutional initiatives: • Project offices • Trainee programmes • Adult learning courses • Shared appointments with industry/univ • Adjunct professorships • Various approaches appropriate for each discipline
EUA Conference Universities and Society: Engaging Stakeholders Challenges • Long-term mandate to develop strong research capacity • Different models of univ leadership and governance structures influence ability for responsiveness to society • Need to attract and support top researchers • salary restrictions • Difficulties transferring social security benefits • ability to provide attractive research environment (RAs, equipment)
EUA Conference Universities and Society: Engaging Stakeholders Issues for future consideration • Will it be possible for a university to be internationally recognised if it is not locally responsive? • Is a central strategy with “special” interfaces needed or a decentralised model promoting individual development?