Good governance, internationalization, staff mobility, and networking were the main discussion points of the STAND workshop on University Autonomy held on 04 and 05 July 2022 at the University of Foggia, Italy. The event was part of the WP3, Activity A3.1. titled “Workshop on Enhancement of University Governance for Promoting Autonomy.”
The workshop focused on ways to increase institutional autonomy through EU best-governing practice and effectiveness, advancing the transition from a less autonomous model to multi-disciplinary university autonomy, and developing a future roadmap for effective implementation of recommendations foreseen by the STAND project proposal. The two-day event began with an introduction to the theme, followed by sessions on governance structure, enhancing staff mobility as a key to internationalization, autonomy principles and rules as the best practice at the University of Foggia, and implementation strategies.
The first day of the workshop began with the introductory notes by Prof. Piermichele La Sala (Department of Economics – UniFg) and Prof. Mihone Kerolli Mustafa (IBC-M College director), who welcomed the participants and explained the objectives of the workshop, further discussing networking opportunities in the context of internationalization, and development of strategic plans to support collaborations with other institutions in the project, while simultaneously reaching out to students and staff.
International Erasmus Coordinator, Mr. Gulio Esposito, talked about Enhancing staff mobility as a key to internationalization, discussed efforts and benefits of such approaches, identification of competencies among staff, the importance of staff training and development, reduction in government dependence, and the importance of strategic alliances.
Prof. Fedele Colantuono (Department of Economics – UniFg) shared his experience and best practice regarding university governance systems, scientific research, and autonomy rules at the University of Foggia. Prof. Colantuono presented the University research activities aimed at developing a network of researchers, professors, and Ph.D. students, with a commitment to international research, project management, and knowledge and innovation transfer.
The workshop activities continued with the Steering Committee session, chaired by Prof. Mihone Kerolli Mustafa (IBC-M), STAND project coordinator, who discussed the current project progress, and progress made in each of the WPs, along with Prof. Jelena Djokic (IBC-M Academic College director) in charge of WP6, who talked about the Quality Plan and Dissemination, and necessary steps to be taken by each institution.
The second day of the workshop began with Dr. Maria Trabace, who presented the EUSAIR program, the EU Strategy for the Adriatic and Ionian region, Blue Growth, and the development of environmentally quality sustainable tourism.
Prof. Giovanni Ottomano Palmisano explained the transnational cooperation and research initiatives with CIHEAM Bari, established through a Memorandum of Understanding signed between the two universities in November 2021. Prof. Palmisano also presented the CIHEAM Bari and their primary areas of focus, or the three main pillars: Education and training, international cooperation, and Applied research.
At the end of the workshop, as part of continued efforts to support collaborations between universities, in the good spirit of the STAND project, the representatives of the University of Foggia announced that they would publish a call for Ph.D. studies, kindly offering to host students from the project partner countries at their Department of Economics, with research projects focused on the topic of “twin transitions” (digital and environmental).
