Mapping Diversity: Developing a European Classification of ... - U-Map

5. Operational implementation
Part II contains the fi ndings of the project on the operational implementation or institutionalisation
of the European classifi cation of higher education institutions. The question of institutionalising the
classifi cation has been discussed intensively with different stakeholders and experts on several
occasions during the project. The views of the stakeholders and other relevant actors are reported
in section 5.1. On the basis of these views, a set of indications for the institutionalisation of the
classifi cation is formulated in section 5.2. These indications or design principles for institutionalisation
are then related to four theoretical models of operational implementation (section 5.3). We conclude
with a presentation of the most appropriate model for institutionalisation and some fi nal considerations
in section 5.4.
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5.1 The views of stakeholders and experts
From the very beginning, the project team has been acutely aware that the views and interests of
stakeholders are crucial to successfully conceptualising and implementing a classifi cation. Bearing
this in mind, the project team discussed issues related to institutionalising the classifi cation on
several occasions. The feedback and views of the participants at these events are presented in
this section. Finally, the views on the classifi cation project of the presidency of the Council of the
European Union, the EC and the Carnegie Foundation are reported.
The project team discussed issues related to the institutionalisation of the classifi cation at the
following events:
st
− 1 Advisory Board meeting on 12 th December 2006 in Brussels (Belgium);
nd
− 2 Advisory Board meeting on 31 st March 2007 in Lisbon (Portugal);
rd
− 3 Advisory Board meeting on 25 th April 2008 in Santander (Spain);
st
− 1 Stakeholder Group meeting on 12 th December 2006 in Brussels (Belgium);
nd
− 2 Stakeholder Group meeting on 25 th April 2008 in Santander (Spain);
th
− A visit to the Carnegie Foundation from 7 to 9 th April 2008 in Stanford (United States of
America);
th
− Project conference‚ ‘Building a typology of higher education institutions in Europe’ on 24 April
2008 in Santander (Spain);
th
− Bologna Seminar, ‘Unlocking Europe’s potential - Contributing to a better world’ on 19 and 20 th
May 2008 in Ghent (Belgium);
− Project conference, ‘Transparency in Diversity – Towards a Classifi cation of European Higher
Education Institutions’ on 10 th and 11 th July 2008 in Berlin (Germany).
5.1.1 Advisory Board
The participants in the Advisory Board meetings underlined that the primary purpose of the
classifi cation should be to serve the needs of higher education institutions. They advised that the
project should make the difference with ranking clear and should not result in (one-dimensional)
rankings itself. The Advisory Board pointed out that the organisation carrying out the classifi cation
has to be clearly independent from both market forces and governmental infl uence. The Board also
stressed the need for voluntary participation. Taking notice of the way the Carnegie classifi cation is
organised, the Board expressed a preference for an independent body to operate the classifi cation
in the long run. Moreover, it expressed the need to place the classifi cation in a global context and
to explore further cooperation with the Carnegie Foundation.
MAPPING DIVERSITY