On behalf of the academic community of the city of Wroclaw, and in particular of the Wroclaw University of Technology, I have the honour and pleasure to invite you to attend the EUA Autumn Conference and to visit our city.
The theme that has been chosen for the Conference - The Governance of European Universities post 2010: Mission Diversity, Autonomy and Accountability – is a subject of current interest in the European Higher Education Area. The Wroclaw conference will focus on the European policy processes and national frameworks and analyse their impact on institutional governance within an environment characterised by a growing diversity in institutional missions. The conference will also examine cooperation and diversification across the sector to try and draw conclusions. It will also look at the changing relationship with the State.
The key-note presentations and case studies from across Europe will:
1. Discuss the rapidly changing relationship between universities and the State and the impact of these changes on institutional governance;
2. Investigate strategies for optimising institutional autonomy and ensuring accountability, taking account of the overall European policy context and the ‘modernisation agenda’ for universities;
3. Identify ways in which university leaders can enhance their leadership capacity by referring to examples of good practice from across Europe.
Wroclaw, as one of the oldest cities in Poland, is a dynamic, multi-cultural, open urban centre with a great university tradition which is expressed in the many examples of joint initiatives and good cooperation between local authorities and the academic community. More about the Wroclaw universities at EUA: About Wroclaw. These joint initiatives and mutually supportive actions create a unique and highly positive image in the local society and contribute to the promotion of the city and its higher education institutions in Poland and abroad. The best example of this mutual cooperation is the European Institute of Technology Plus (EIT+), which will depend on successfully defining the research, education, innovation, and economic potential of the Wroclaw region.
This environment of generosity makes Wroclaw an ideal place to create an inspiring atmosphere in which to debate the issues facing us and, hopefully, produce an insight into the rapidly changing relationship between universities and the State and the impact these changes will have on institutional governance.
I cordially invite you to
Wroclaw – the Meeting Place!
Prof. Tadeusz Luty
Rector of Wroclaw University of Technology
President of CRASP