Improve and transform the governance of UNITA

Task number
Name
Strategic Axes
Workpackage

The Task organises and oversees the transition towards more agile and functional governance of the alliance. It aims at joint action, good governance, mission and process integration to build an innovative, attractive and competitive European University with a distinct profile contributing to the development of excellence and innovation in the European education, higher education and research areas (EEA, EHEA and ERA). The Task Team also functions as a think tank for the medium- and long-term vision of the Alliance, in clear connection with the Legal Entity, with the aim of proposing a reference model for European Universities. The Task develops the governance structures created during the pilot phase of the Alliance and described in its management guide. Task 1.1 is linked with Tasks 1.2 (Manage) and 1.3. (Quality). Activity roadmap A1.1.1 Introduce the new partners to the achievements and lessons learned from phase one (M1-M2): the new partners have been associated with the project's activities since June 2021, resulting in an easier and shorter acquaintance process. A1.1.2 Update and maintain the governance structures (Governance Board, Student Assembly, Quality and Evaluation Board) (M1-M48) fully integrating new partners and involving students and staff, and associated partners. Confirm processes of nomination, election and rotation for all governance bodies and operational units. Communicate nomination, 9 Associated with document Ref. Ares(2023)7341677 - 27/10/2023 Project: 101124853 — UNITA — ERASMUS-EDU-2023-EUR-UNIV election and rotation schemes with academic and administrative staff as well as internal and external stakeholders involved. Analyse current governance practices at partner and alliance level as regards the execution of the alliance missions in education, research, innovation and service to society, possibly benchmarking with other alliances. In cooperation with the Student Assembly, collect and analyse data for the comparison of the regulations and electoral systems of all the partners of the UNITA Alliance with the aim to implement tools (in cooperation with T3.4) that encourage and facilitate the democratic participation of all students in the decision-making processes within the Alliance itself with potential transformative impact on each partner. Specify innovative areas for enhancement through the first discussions of strategy plans. Implement, test and adjust governance processes to balance continuousness and innovative impulses. Share test results as well as intended adjustments with students, staff and stakeholders before implementation. Regularly assess legal and operative synergetic potential of governance processes and accommodate them under the principle of operational jointness. A1.1.3 Establish the agenda of the new bodies of the enlarged alliance (M1-M12) including meeting programs, in connection with Task 1.2, improving the current governance of the alliance based on the experience of the pilot phase and adapting it to the enlargement of the alliance. Two UNITA weeks are organized each year, each by a different partner; during the days, physical (if possible) meetings of (and between) the following boards/teams are organised: Governance Board UNITA and Conseil Stratégique of the Legal Entity, Quality & Evaluation Board, Student Assembly, Task Team 1.1 & Comité de Proposition et Pilotage of the Legal Entity, Task Team 1.2, Work Packages Teams (considering each Constellation project as a different WP). Integrate the Legal Entity in the alliance set up and activities. A1.1.4 Coordinate the development of the UNITA model for a European University (M12-M48): interact with the governance bodies (Governance Board, Student Assembly, Quality and Evaluation Board), the Management Committee (i.e. Task Team 1.2), the UNITA Executive Coordinator, the UNITA Office Coordinator, as well as with academic and support staff representatives to co-design the medium-term vision of UNITA. Build the UNITA model of institutionalized European University drawing the evolution of the Legal Entity, and codesign the long-term vision with the Task teams competent for the different strategy plans and actions (e.g. TT1.2, TT1.3, TT2.2, TT2.4, TT3.1, TT3.2, TT3.4, TT4.1, TT4.2, TT4.4, TT5.2, TT5.3, TT5.4, TT5.5) and other experts in the alliance supporting the transformation of the Legal Entity towards the shared European University ambitions. Present the UNITA model of institutionalized European University and discuss in a forum or workshop with the European Commission, the National Authorities, and other Alliances the role, the governance, and the mission of European Universities.