International Strategies and EU Values
 Note: This page contains the preliminary strategy for International Strategies and European Values (2027-2034). It is currently being populated to serve as a reference for UNITA partners.
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International Strategies and European Values: 2027-2034[edit | edit source]
Executive Summary[edit | edit source]
UNITA’s internationalization strategies aim at sharing and developing activities and values both inside and outside the alliance boundaries. The strategy is organized into a nexus combining three dimensions of internationalization and three transversal actions, following a model of progressive cooperation: inception, formalisation, and excellence/competitiveness.
The Three Dimensions of Internationalization[edit | edit source]
- Internationalization in UNITA: Deepening cooperation among partner universities in education, research, and rural/mountain territory development.
- UNITA in Europe: Fostering cooperation within the European Universities Initiative (EUI) and with other national stakeholders.
- UNITA in the World: Enhancing cooperation with the UNITA Geminae Network and global stakeholders to promote European values.
Three Transversal Actions[edit | edit source]
- Developing a multilingual, multicultural, and digital transnational ecosystem.
- Implementing an integrated and seamless Staff and Student Mobility Scheme.
- Developing interdisciplinary UNITA Global Challenge Forums.
1. State of the Art[edit | edit source]
Summary of Actions to Date (Phases 1 & 2)[edit | edit source]
| Area | Phase 1 Highlights | Phase 2 Progress |
|---|---|---|
| Mobility | Tested virtual, rural, physical, and blended mobility. | Expanded to 40+ Blended Intensive Programmes (BIPs); included Geminae partners in virtual offerings. |
| European Citizenship | Online workshops, PhD funding, and "The Highlander Perspective" on identity. | Renamed "European Citizenship Initiative"; 87 events held since Nov 2023 involving schools and local citizens. |
| Outreach (Geminae) | Established network of 30+ universities in Americas, Africa, and Asia. | Focus on Romance languages; Best Practices Awards (2023/2025); active participation in FOREU2. |
Difficulties Encountered[edit | edit source]
- Mobility: Lack of funding, bureaucratic hurdles in credit recognition, and different academic calendars. Absence of a unified ICT tool for tracking.
- Citizenship: Challenges in measuring "political feeling" (qualitative vs. quantitative) and scarce budget for inclusivity actions.
- Geminae: Need for clearer scope, lack of third-party funding, and administrative difficulties for non-EU partners attending events.
Resource Analysis[edit | edit source]
- Human Capital: Task teams range from 29 to 49 members across 12 universities, involving IR officers and researchers.
- Financials: UNITA Phase 2 allocates €479,400 for rural mobility and ~€100,000 for Geminae activities, though gaps remain for hosting costs.
- Infrastructure: Reliance on UNITA Datacloud, Virtual Campus, and Moodle (hosted by UNITO).
2. Context & Analysis[edit | edit source]
PESTEL Analysis (Summary)[edit | edit source]
| Factor | Key Trends | Impact on Strategy |
|---|---|---|
| EU "Europe on the Move" & European Degree Blueprint | No direct funding but sets the standard for seamless mobility. | ||
| Draghi Report & Competitiveness Compass | Supports the need for resources in HE and life-long learning. | ||
| Diversity & Inclusion Action Plan 2023-2024 | Deeply rooted in UNITA’s priority for "zero-tolerance" discrimination. | ||
| New European Innovation Agenda (Deep Tech) | Opportunities for talent attraction and digital experimentation. | ||
| 2030 Agenda & European Green Deal | Aligns with UNITA’s focus on sustainable mountain/rural development. | ||
| EU Artificial Intelligence Act (2024) | Shapes the ethical use of AI in transnational research/education. |
Internal Resource Analysis (Forward-Looking)[edit | edit source]
- Gaps: Fragmented institutional strategies, insufficient dedicated staff for internationalization, and low brand visibility outside Europe.
- Strengths: Shared identity (Romance languages, mountain/rural focus), agile alliance model, and proactive stakeholder engagement.
Prioritization Matrix (Top Priorities)[edit | edit source]
- Joint Education/Research Excellence: High Priority / High Impact.
- Mobility for All: High Priority / High Impact.
- UNITA Challenge Forums: High Priority / High Strategic Fit.
3. Detailed Action Plan[edit | edit source]
Action 1: Transnational Ecosystem[edit | edit source]
- Sub-action 1.1 (Internal): Reach excellence in joint study programs (2026–2034).
- Sub-action 1.2 (Europe): Position UNITA as a reference for rural resilience and territorial cohesion.
- Sub-action 1.3 (World): Engage Diplomatic Missions to bridge academic and science diplomacy.
Action 2: Seamless Mobility Scheme[edit | edit source]
- Sub-action 2.1 (Mobility for All): Expand "UNITA a la carte" and Rural Mobility programs.
- Sub-action 2.2 (Multilingualism): Use Intercomprehension in Romance languages to reduce barriers to mobility.
- Sub-action 2.3 (Capacity Building): Launch joint programs with Geminae partners (High Priority).
Action 3: UNITA Challenge Forums[edit | edit source]
- Sub-action 3.1: Define inclusive dialogue spaces for regional development and active citizenship.
- Sub-action 3.2: Launch "Global Challenge Forums" involving civil society and policy makers.
Document Reference: UNITA Alliance Strategy 2027-2034