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University autonomy and governance

University autonomy and governance. Baku Bologna Seminar - Current issues in the Bologna process. Bastian Baumann, Baku, 26 May 2008. Magna Charta Universitatum. Signed by 388 rectors in Bologna on 18 September 1988 Now 600 signatories Worldwide geographical coverage

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University autonomy and governance

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  1. University autonomy and governance Baku Bologna Seminar - Current issues in the Bologna process Bastian Baumann, Baku, 26 May 2008

  2. Magna Charta Universitatum • Signed by 388 rectors in Bologna on 18 September 1988 • Now 600 signatories • Worldwide geographical coverage • Currently 77 countries

  3. Content • Fundamental values and principles of the university • Institutional autonomy • Academic freedom • Based on common heritage of the university

  4. Magna Charta Observatory • Founded in 2001 by University of Bologna and European Rectors Conference (now EUA) • Based at the University of Bologna • No membership

  5. Mission • Gather information, express opinions and prepare documents relating to the respect for, protection and promotion of, the fundamental university values and rights laid out in the Magna Charta Universitatum

  6. Activities • Monitoring function • Convenor • Advisor • Think tank • Worldwide scope of activities

  7. The Context • Bologna Declaration reference to Magna Charta Universitatum in the preamble • Subsequent communiqués

  8. Why autonomy? • HE as a service for the state? Not only! • Cradle of knowledge and knowledge production • Societal development • Critical thinking • Mid-term perspective rather than short-term

  9. Bologna Declaration „Universities' independence and autonomy ensure that higher education and research systems continuously adapt to changing needs, society's demands and advances in scientific knowledge“

  10. General issues of autonomy • Operational autonomy • Financial management • Governance • Study programmes • Areas of specialisation (Teaching and research) • Staff development • Etc.

  11. What is autonomy not? • Budget cuts • Less inclusive / democratic models of governance

  12. Requirements • Operation free from political and economic interests • Responsibility • Accountability • Academic freedom

  13. Public Responsibility • Directed at the state • But also university responsibility • Serve to and advance society • Only truly autonomous institutions can fulfil their public responsibility to the largest extend possible • Also social responsibility

  14. Autonomy and the Bologna Action Lines I • System of 2/3 cycles • 3+2 / 4+1 / 3.5+1.5 = 300 ECTS • Which programmes • Easily readable, comparable and compatible degrees • Learning Outcomes (Qualifications Frameworks) • Diploma Supplement

  15. Autonomy and the Bologna Action Lines II • Quality Assurance • Internal QA • European Standards and Guidelines • External QA • (Additional) accreditations and evaluations • How to use outcomes of quality assurance activities • Berlin Communiqué

  16. Autonomy and the Bologna Action Lines III • Mobility • Strategy • Partner institutions • Staff and student mobility • Recognition procedures • European Dimension • Learning Outcomes • Joint Degrees / Double Degrees • Study programmes

  17. Autonomy and the Bologna Action Lines IV • ECTS • Curricula structure / emphasis • Credit allocation • Workload measuring • Learning Outcomes • Lifelong Learning • How • What • Recognition of prior learning

  18. Autonomy and the Bologna Action Lines V • Promoting attractiveness • As far as applicable • Erasmus Mundus • How to promote / undertake PR • Brand Bologna? • Student Participation • Ensure at all levels / in all activities • How is up to the institution if not enshrined in law • Informal mechanisms • Use autonomy in such a way that students support it

  19. Autonomy and the Bologna Action Lines VI • Research • Which areas • Which type • How to link with teaching • How to involve students

  20. Governance • Diverse structures • Best model to accomplish mission • Involvement • Academic staff • Non-academic staff • Students • Other stakeholders • Accountability vs. state influence

  21. Main Principles • Efficient • Effective • Democratic / Inclusive • Good balance between top-down and bottom-up • Dialogue • Leadership responsibility • Interaction with faculties • Interaction with different groups • Delegation of power

  22. Conclusions I • Bologna: • Flexibility and tailor-made solutions • Not complete harmonisation • Universities require autonomy also for implementation (Bergen Communiqué)

  23. Conclusions II • Implementation within the framework, but according to own mission and strategy • Culture of autonomy and inclusive governance • Autonomy basis for European Higher Education Area and fulfilment of the purposes of education (London Communiqué)

  24. Contact www.magna-charta.org magnacharta@unibo.it Via Zamboni 25 40126 Bologna Italy

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