UNITA Graduate School in alliance focus areas

 Notice: The following sections are missing information: Confirm Secondary Indicators.

Task number	4
Name	UNITA Graduate School in alliance focus areas
Strategic Axes	Education and Pedagogical Innovation, Communities building
Workpackage	Knowledge-based growth in rural, mountain and cross-border territories

Objectives

• Set up a UNITA Graduate School (GS) that proposes interconnected learning programmes from the master level to the doctorate level
• Definition of standards for the award of the UNITA label for Master/PhD programmes
• Develop interconnected master and doctoral programmes targeting alliance thematic areas through research-based academic, practice-oriented and industrial-based training

Inputs & Resources

Source documentation:

• UNITA Tasks_Team_List_20231120
• UNITA Budget documents

Resources

• Human Resources: List of staff on the task, roles and position: 33 persons (all universities are represented) involved in the task

Profiles: Heads of Masters, Heads of doctoral schools, Leaders of existing Graduate Schools.

• Financial: Budget allocated to the task: 30000€ for travels, subsistence, accommodation. 10000€ for other costs (2 500 per University that will organize once the Doctoriales/3min PhD).
• Materials: Type of materials required (computers, software, scientific tools): Not at that step, but future needs for a web platform and lectures storage.
• Intangible: Type of intangible materials (communication tools, data bases,…): Not at that step, but future needs for a web platform and lectures storage.

Activities & Sub-Tasks

Source documentation: In each WP folder, document entitled “WPx_full_description)

• Task Description – T4.4 description
• GANTT – WP4 GANTT

List of activities	Activity title	Activity description	Deadline
1	Introduce the new partners to the achievements and lessons learned from phase one and to Quality Assurance practices.	The new partners have been associated with the project's activities since June 2021, resulting in an easier and shorter acquaintance process.	(M1-M2)
2	Update the general synoptic assessment of partner Quality Assurance systems.	Building on phase one benchmarking by the QEB, by including the new partners' QA systems frameworks. Update and adopt the UNITA Quality Assurance policy to be implemented at partner and alliance level, with quantitative and qualitative indicators fitting the new WP and Tasks structure. Define opportunities of partner Quality Assurance synergies, further developing the common Quality Assurance policy respecting different institutional/regional/national contexts. Together with TTs 1.2 and 5.4, agree on the methodology for the evaluation of progress, processes, cost-efficiency, and deliverables, including systematic feedback from students, staff and stakeholders. Update the Quality Assurance plan by drawing a map through a logical table relating Tasks and indicators, defining all the processes to reach the objectives, and building a management quality system with procedure and codification for each process or activity. Train all the Task teams to the quality assurance policy and plan.	(M3-M12)
3	Implement and test the evaluation of progress, processes, cost-efficiency, and deliverables of the first year.	Producing a report for the QEB. Support the QEB in the production of the annual report with recommendations for the Governance Board (GB). Monitor the implementation of the corrective actions decided by the GB and evolve the quality assurance requirements and plan accordingly. Repeat evaluations emphasising identified areas of improvement. Evaluate and realize the independent assessment given by an external European Evaluation Agency, accommodating modifications in the interest of improvement. Draw lessons from the implementation of the quality assurance plan integrating best practices based on an inventory, mapping of the main QA processes on teaching, research, and public engagement.	(M13-M48)
4	Co-develop together with TT1.1 and disseminate the UNITA Quality Assurance strategy.	Matching with the ambition of developing a model of European University. Internally disseminate the strategy to all actors and in particular to the Quality Assurance Boards of the partners. Benchmark Quality Assurance strategy and practices with other European Universities by organizing and participating to mutual learning workshops.	(M24-M48)

Indicators

These indicators have been gathered from the different source (list below) and have been gathered from interviews driven by Task 5.4 UNITA impact observatory.

Outputs

Source documentation: In each WP folder, document entitled “WPx_full_description)

• Task Description – T4.4 description
• GANTT – WP4 GANTT
• List of Indicators – UNITA indicators

Primary indicatorsSecondary indicatorsSub-Indicators

These indicators have been chosen and agree during the Phase 2 proposal made to the European Commission.

To be defined by T5.4 members previously to interviews and to be proposed to task co leader

To be defined by T5.4 members previously to interviews and to be proposed to task co leader

Secondary indicators

To be defined by T5.4 members previously to interviews and to be proposed to task co leader

• Number of students applying to the UGS
• Number of students participating to the shared courses.
• Number of students participating in exchange programs or joint courses (Student mobility)
• Number of submitted joint programmes: PhD co-tutelles, COFUND, Marie Sklodowska-Curie actions, Erasmus Mundus joint master programmes
  • For some (ex. Erasmus Mundus, COFUND) discussion need to be done at an executive level.
• Job placement rates: assess the employment outcomes of students who have participated in joint programs or collaborations.
  • Difficult to evaluate due to time constraint
  • Choral COFUND program may help (but may not be fully consistent)
• Percentage of Master students coming to PhD program (at university level)
  • Estimation at the graduate school
  • Important to measure the derivative indicators

Subtask Outputs

Sub Task Outputs Indicate concerned sub task	Outputs indicator Expected results at the sub-task level / To be verified in interview with task co-leaders	Source of data To be verified in interview with task co-leaders
A4.4.1 Collect and chart current master and doctoral training activities	- Collection of Cultural Heritage related Master degree and doctoral schools that are consistent with UGS criteria and UNITA strategy	Excel sheet provided by Task 4.4.
A4.4.2 Define standards for the eligibility of learning programmes for the UGS	- Shared documents (one for students and one for programs) that provide an exhaustive list of all criteria/standards that are expected to fulfil a UGS certificate (for students) and “Label/Tag” (for programs)	Two Word documents provided by Task 4.4.
A4.4.3 Progressively implement the UGS in the UNITA focus areas	- Implementation of Graduate School certificate (and label/tag) at the UNITA scale, starting with the Cultural Heritage	Web Platform

Outcomes

Source documentation:

• Task Description – T4.4 description
• GANTT – WP4 GANTT

Task Outcomes

Task Outcomes Identify the outcomes	Outcomes indicator Expected results at the task level / To be verified in interview with task co-leaders	Source of data To be verified in interview with task co-leaders
• Report on the UNITA graduate school defining the UNITA principles for master studies (Electronic format. In English with summary in each partner's national language. ± 50 pages) • Report for doctoral training studies (Electronic format. In English with summary in each partner's national language. ± 50 pages) • List of the courses delivered by partners	• Number of implemented Graduate Schools • Number of awarded UNITA certificates • Number of co-tutelles • Number of joint publications • Number of Doctoriales (3Min PhD) • Increased student and faculty mobility	Task leaders
What are the benefits of the actions for the alliance partners? How does the task transform the partners?	• Increased visibility and attractiveness of partner institutions • Strengthened research capabilities and outputs • Enhanced international collaboration and network	Doctoral Schools Web of Science Task Leaders
To what extent did the task contribute to achieve WP’s and/or UNITA’s goals?	• Establishment of a robust framework for graduate education • Alignment with UNITA's mission for excellence in research and education	WP leaders assessments

Impacts

Source documentation:

• Task and WP long-term objectives Task Description – T4.4 description - WP4 Objectives
• UNITA Mission Statement (from Grant Agreement)

	Users / Beneficiaries Intern to UNITA	End-Users / Beneficiaries extern to UNITA
1) Who are the stakeholders benefiting of the task’s actions?	Faculty, students, administrative staff, and researchers across all UNITA partner institutions. Enhanced opportunities for interdisciplinary research and international collaboration.	To check with the T5.1 list
2) To what extent has the local/international society changed as a result of outcomes compared to before UNITA? What are the long term results for them?	Having more PhDs (with a strong culture of interdisciplinarity) on topics such as Cultural Heritage, Green Energy, etc., will shed light on key societal issues. UGS is expected to influence the research strategies of UNITA members in the long term, aligning them with societal expectations.	Increased availability of highly skilled graduates in fields critical to societal needs such as cultural heritage and green energy. Strengthened ties between academia and industry, leading to better job placement and economic development. Greater public engagement and awareness through research dissemination and community projects.

Indicators' data sheet

Description	Unit of measurement	Source of data	Frequency	Baseline (2022)	Target 2027	Possible sub indicators
Number of shared courses in UNITA Graduate Schools	Figure	Reports Training paths and web platform	Once per year	0	200	Number of participants

Data collection

Additional Notes

The development of a comprehensive support system, including pre-departure orientations, visa assistance, accommodation help, and academic advising, will be crucial to facilitate the mobility process and ensure students can focus on their academic and cultural experiences.

Continuous monitoring and evaluation mechanisms should be established to assess the effectiveness of the UGS programs and make necessary adjustments.

Collaboration with industry partners to ensure that the curriculum remains relevant and that students are equipped with the skills needed in the job market.