UNICA - The Institutional Network of the UNIversities from the CApitals of Europe

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The Institutional Network of the UNIversities from the CApitals of Europe [http://www.unica-network.eu] , or UNICA, is a network of 41 universities, gathering main Universities located in the European capitals. It was founded in 1990 on the initiative of the Université Libre de Bruxelles. The mission of the Network, which has a combined strength of over 120,000 staff and 1,500,000 students, is to promote academic excellence, integration and co-operation among its member Universities throughout Europe. It also seeks to be a driving force in the development of the Bologna process and to facilitate the integration of universities from Central and Eastern Europe into the European Higher Education Area.

The Network's internal organization is based on three bodies: the General Assembly (one meeting per year), the Steering Committee (four meetings per year) and the International Relations Officers' Committee (two meetings per year). The General Secretariat situated in Brussels takes care of the Network's general co-operation and administration.

Each UNICA member university is represented by a contact person. Such system enables easy communication and fast information flow among the university members.

ACTIVITIES

UNICA activities are divided into 5 main categories - clusters: [http://www.ulb.ac.be/unica/activities.html]
• Internationalisation and Mobility
• Education
• Research and Development
• Policy and Strategy
• Mission and Link with Society

Internationalisation and Mobility

• IRO
For the implementation and achievement of the UNICA Internationalisation and Mobility goals, the International Relations Officers (IROs) from the member Universities have a main role. IROs meet at least once a year to discuss UNICA approaches and policy in this field. Projects and collaboration within member Universities are developed with various UNICA Working Groups.
• Student Conference
Organised every two years, the Student Conference aims to gather students for a three day conference where discussions on current affaires are held. Students are divided into 10 different groups. A final publication that gathers the conclusions and suggestions of the students is produced and sent to the European Commission authorities.
• Student Mobility
UNICA promotes student exchanges within the Network. A chart of exchange students is presented every year. This is an interesting snapshot of the evolution for student mobility within the Network.
• Staff Mobility
In order to improve the exchange of best practices among Universities, UNICA has developed a project for exchange of academic staff within member Universities.

Education

• Bologna Lab
The Bologna Lab is coordinated by the University of Vienna. The aim of this Laboratory is to share best practices for the Bologna Process implementation.
• Joint Programmes
UNICA awards grants to develop interesting Joint Programmes (Masters and PhDs). Already 8 Joint programmes have received the UNICA grant by now.
• Admission and Recognition
UNICA has established a working group of experts dealing with Admission and Recognition issues within member Universities.
• UNICA European Campus
Starting with a limited number of Universities, the European Campus aims to create an area of free movement reducing to the minimum the administrative procedures.

Research and Development

• PhD and Doctoral Schools
A group of UNICA representatives was formed in order to deal with the future of Doctoral studies in Europe. The aim is to bring together a number of people responsible for the development and organisation of PhD programmes at UNICA Universities and to establish and promote good practice by sharing views and experience.
• The EU Research Officers is a group of administrative staff dealing within EU Research policies and initiatives within member Universities. The aim is to create a network for exchange of information and best practices regarding all aspects of the EU-funded research and to function as a single voice towards the European Commission.

Policy and Strategy

• In the framework of the policy and strategy domain, UNICA organises Rectors’ Seminar to discuss governance and policy issues and to exchange best practices.
• The Scholarly Communication Seminar is an initiative to provide a think tank on the evolution of the role of libraries at the Universities.
• Finally, UNICA benefits from the European Commission grants in the field of the Higher Education sector. UNICA has submitted projects to the European Commission which have been approved and implemented.

Mission and Link with Society

• For its mission and link with society, UNICA counts on the Urban-Capital Working Group. The aim of this group is to analyse and give solutions to problems and changes taking place in capital cities.
• UNICA has also an important link with the Union of the Capitals of the European Union (UCEU) and collaborates regularly with other networks.

MEMBERS

[http://www.ulb.ac.be/unica/members.html]

REFERENCES

UNICA Webpage: http://www.unica-network.eu/
UNICA Activities: http://www.ulb.ac.be/unica/activities.html
UNICA Members: http://www.ulb.ac.be/unica/members.html
UNICA Address: http://www.ulb.ac.be/unica/contact.html