Peer Learning Cluster or other group
Making best use of resources
Background
The second PLA of the Peer Learning Cluster on Making best use of resources’ was held in Copenhagen.
Denmark was an appropriate choice for a PLA on University Governance, as the Danish Universities had experienced major changes in their system since the introduction of the new Danish University Act in 2003. Extensive information about the Danish Reforms was provided by site visits to two Universities and by some presentations from Danish key actors.
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Description
The PLA had two main objectives:
- to see how the Danish system works after the reforms as a start for reflection on autonomy and accountability;
- to encourage constructive dialogue and reflection between policy-makers, practitioners and other key actors, to enhance mutual learning by discussing University autonomy and accountability along the chosen four themes.
The issues discussed provided reflection on themes that appeared in the Commission Communication on delivering on the Modernisation agenda for Universities (10 May 2006).
Overall key messages:
- It is essential to open up university governance structures by bringing in people from the outside world;
- Accountability to society is the counterbalance to the need for more autonomy;
- Increasing concerns about the way to strengthen relationships between universities and society (e.g. via tax-exemptions to encourage start-ups and the use of the Seventh Framework Programme (FP7)) in order to promote research and technological developments;
- Need to remove barriers between different ministries (e.g. Education&Research vs. Economic Affairs/Enterprise/Industry) in order to increase effectiveness.
Conclusions
- The combination of country presentations by delegates and site visits was highly appreciated and it is important to find the right balance between these two elements;
- It was found very beneficial to have the PLA in a country with recent reforms in the domains to be explored. Although some delegates expressed their doubts concerning the transferability of the Danish system to their own country, others interpreted it as a confirmation of the right choices that in the process of being made in their country.
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