European University Association

The European University Association (EUA) represents and supports more than 750 institutions of higher education in 46 countries, providing them with a forum for cooperation and exchange of information on higher education and research policies. Members of the Association are European universities involved in teaching and research, national associations of rectors and other organisations active in higher education and research.

Its web site is at http://www.eua.be/

The mission of EUA

As a centre of expertise in higher education and research, EUA supports universities by:

• Promoting policies to enable universities and other higher education institutions to respond to growing expectations regarding their contribution to the future development of a knowledge society for Europe
• Advocating these policies to decision makers at different levels and ensuring that the voice of universities is heard
• Informing members of policy debates which will impact on their development
• Developing its knowledge and expertise through projects that involve and benefit individual institutions while also underpinning policy development
• Strengthening the governance, leadership and management of institutions through a range of activities targeted at mutual learning, exchange of experience and the transfer of best practices
• Developing partnerships in higher education and research between Europe and the rest of the word in order to strengthen the position of European universities in a global context

Activities of EUA

• Representing universities: EUA is the official representative of the university sector in the Bologna process and as such, participates in numerous working groups or consultative bodies within that framework. The Association also represents universities’ views and advises the European Commission in multiple research policy fora as well as working closely with OECD, the Council of Europe and UNESCO. In addition, cooperation with other European and national organisations active in higher education and research is an important component of EUA’s work in order to develop common positions and effectively impact on future policies. EUA’s scope also includes an international strategy aimed at fostering cooperation with representative organisations in other parts of the world, working on common issues and raising awareness on the reform of the European higher education system.

• Providing expertise on European Higher Education and Research: Through its project work and studies, EUA identifies and analyses emerging trends and issues facing universities as well as best practices for the benefit of all. Focus groups, thematic networks, questionnaires to institutions, and site visits are among the tools used by the Association to ensure continuous feedback from members. EUA works on a broad range of topics important to its members, such as the implementation of the Bologna process, quality and funding issues, development of joint degrees, doctoral programmes and training of young researchers, knowledge transfer and university management practices. Members benefit from this expertise through the dissemination of information, publication of reports and organisation of events. It also constitutes the basis for advocacy work towards political actors and for the development of member services. In addition, such knowledge allows EUA to play a key role in transmitting information on current reforms in European universities to audiences in both Europe and beyond.

• Strengthening the governance, leadership and management of institutions: EUA considers that it is of the utmost importance to support members in tackling societal challenges: from reforming the structure of degrees, defining development strategies, supporting an increasingly diversified student population, responding to labour market needs for increased knowledge transfer, reinforcing leadership and strengthening professional management practice. For this purpose, EUA offers a range of activities based on mutual learning and exchange of experience. These include the Institutional Evaluation Programme, workshops and seminars as well as working groups focused on current themes of interest to EUA’s members.

History of EUA

EUA is the result of a merger between the Association of European Universities (CRE) and the Confederation of European Union Rectors' Conferences. The merger took place in Salamanca on 31 March 2001.

Members

EUA is open to membership from individual universities and national rectors’ conferences, as well as associations and networks of higher education institutions. EUA has more than 800 members in 46 countries across Europe.

There are 4 different types of EUA membership and the possibility of ‘affiliate’ status:

• Individual Full members - Universities shall be eligible for individual full membership.

• Individual Associate Members - Higher education institutions that award degrees at the first and second cycle level, but do not meet the research criteria set out for full individual members.

• Collective Full Members - A National Rectors' Conference representing the universities of a country.

• Collective Associate Members - European networks of universities or other higher education institutions that demonstrate a sufficiently broad European representation & national associations of other higher education institutions if recommended by the full collective member of that country.

• Affiliates are European or other organisations with an interest in European co-operation in higher education.

For a list of members see http://www.eua.be/members-directory/

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