Martin GregoryManager – EU Liaison

University of Strathclyde

Europeanisation of Higher Education:

The Experience of the University of Strathclyde

BACKGROUND

Mid 1980s:

• Cutbacks in UK Government Funding to UK Higher Education

• Increasing availability of EU funding to Higher Education Sector in Europe

• UK Universities begin significant involvement in EU funded programmes

THE MANAGEMENT CHALLENGE IN EUROPEAN ACTIVITY

DO NOT:

• Pursue EU monies in a haphazard fashion

DO:

• Think of the consequences

• Understand EU perspective of funding priorities

• Understand institutional perspective of funding priorities

• Develop a strategic vision for European activity

• Put in place a sound management structure for European activity

EU FUNDING PHILOSOPHY

• State-of-the-art innovation

• Trans-national collaboration

• University-industry cooperation

• Economic and technical risk

• Environment friendly

• Citizen friendly

INSTITUTIONAL MISSION

• Teaching and Research

• International Dimension

• Regional Dimension

• Integration of Activities

EUROPEAN UNION FUNCTION

• Fits in with institutional mission to maximise opportunity and minimise risk

• Reflects division of academic and administrative labour

• Represents interests which both converge and compete

EUROPEAN UNION OFFICE

• Intelligence on EU funding opportunities

• User-friendly availability of EU information

• Assistance with construction and presentation of applications

• Negotiation of Contracts and Consortium Agreements

• Troubleshooting

• Policy advice to University

AREAS OF EU ACTIVITY REQUIRING MANAGEMENT

• Research and Development

• Education

• Training

• Regional Development

KEY CONTRACTUAL ISSUES

Negotiation of acceptable Contracts and Consortium Agreements in relation to:

• Technical Specification

• Budget and financial recovery

• Intellectual Property

• Liability

• Payment Terms

• Management Procedures

• Publication

BENEFITS AND DISADVANTAGESOF EUROPEAN ACTIVITY

Benefits

• Substantial annual income

• Synergistic efforts

• International profile

Disadvantages

• Low recovery of costs

• Time-consuming nature of activity

• Tedious bureaucracy and audit practices

CURRENT AND FUTURE CHALLENGES

• Seventh Framework Programme of Research

• Financial transparency and cost recovery issues

• European science base

• Exploitation of results of projects

• Types of consortia for projects

• Wider international stage