EUA Annual Report 2010 - European University Association

1. Common PoliCiEs for EUroPEAn UniVErsitiEs
EUIMA Full Costing Study Visit, Coimbra, Portugal
18
In parallel, EUA is also addressing the
financial sustainability of universities
through its EUDIS study, which focuses
on raising awareness of and identifying
good practice in the field of diversification
of income streams in universities across
Europe.
Financial sustainability is also a major
consideration in EUA’s current work on
university autonomy. The freedom to
allocate and manage financial resources,
but also to establish partnerships and
raise income from the private sector are
crucial elements that fully contribute
In response to the growing international
activities of European universities and
the increasing interest in European
developments in other parts of the world,
EUA promotes dialogue with counterparts
in other world regions. The outcomes of
annual report 2010
to the universities’ long-term financial
health.
EUA strongly believes that increasing
institutional autonomy is a key
element to enable universities to
respond to the new demands they
face. However, perceptions and
terminology of institutional autonomy
vary greatly in Europe. To compare
systems reliably, more systematic
mapping of universities’ autonomy
and accountability through a set of
common indicators is necessary.
Following a Europe-wide Autonomy
Study, in 2009 the objective of which
was to provide necessary knowledge
basis for further benchmarking of
university autonomy and governance
issues in the future, EUA is using these
elements to develop an Autonomy
Scorecard. This benchmarking tool
will help public authorities and higher
education institutions better to assess
university autonomy in the wider
European framework, and thus promote
the exchange of best practice in a rapidly
evolving field. This is due to be launched
early in 2012.
For more information about the projects underpinning this policy work please go to
section 2 of this report or visit www.eua.be/projects
EUroPE in A GloBAl ContExt –
intErrEGionAl diAloGUE
these activities also contribute to a better
understanding of global higher education
and research trends, which feed into the
preparation of EUA policy positions on
issues such as the Global Dimension of the
European Higher Education Area.