Universitat de Barcelona
The University of Barcelona (UB) is the main public institution of higher education in Catalonia, catering to the needs of the greatest number of students and delivering the broadest and most comprehensive offer in higher educational courses. The UB is also the principal center of university research in Spain and has become a European benchmark for research activity, both in terms of the number of research programes it conducts and the excellence these have achieved. Its work contributes to the creation, transmission and diffusion of culture and of scientific, technical and professional knowledge, as well as promoting critical thought, innovation and pluralism.
Since it was founded in 1450, the University of Barcelona has worked tirelessly in the pursuit of academic and research excellence, and today it is looked to as a national and international leader in education, science and knowledge. The University’s training offer, rooted in the values of quality and innovation and adapted to the educational and professional needs of contemporary society, attracts over 60,000 students a year and encompasses all of the major branches of knowledge: the humanities, health sciences, social sciences, experimental sciences and engineering.
The UB has 16 faculties, more than 5.600 researchers, more than 2.200 administration staff and has one of the largest intakes of students, professors and researchers from all Spanish universities. The UB remains as the only Spanish member of the League of European Research Universities (LERU) and has bolstered its status as a research-intensive university, as well as consolidating its position as the most innovative university in Spain, ranking 69th in the world in the Reuters Top 100:
The World’s Most Innovative Universities.
The University of Barcelona is also the first ranked university in Spain in almost all the most prestigious international rankings. It is the first-ranked university in Spain in the QS World University Ranking 2020 and the 165th worldwide. The 2018 edition of the Europe Teaching Rankings, published by Times Higher Education, placed the University of Barcelona 19th, making it the highest-ranked public university in Spain. Research and international mobility have continued to grow, thanks in particular to active participation in research networks and efforts to extend our involvement in university alliances.
The UB manages an average of 190 European projects per year and has nearly 3.500 agreements with universities and other institutions outside Spain.
University of Sarajevo
The University of Sarajevo is a comprehensive university that offers over 500 study programs in all three study cycles (including integrated); arts, humanities, social sciences, medical sciences, technical sciences and natural sciences. The University of Sarajevo (UNSA) was established in 1949. However, the first foundations of this higher education institution were given with the signing of Waqfname by Gazi Husrev Bey and the founding of the Gazi Husrev-bey’s library back in the 16th century – today, our member institution.
The University of Sarajevo offers study and research opportunities at 22 Faculties, 3 Academies, 5 Institutes, 3 Centres, the National and University Library, Gazi Husrev-bey Library, the National Museum of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Student Parliament, with over 500 study programs and over 200 departments. Today, having around 22,000 enrolled students, 1.650 teaching staff and 990 non-teaching staff, it is the largest university in the country and ranks among the largest universities in the region.
Our mission is to strengthen the internationalization of the University of Sarajevo as a modern and unique European university. Our vision is reflected in strengthening leadership in the field of international cooperation. The University of Sarajevo has over 400 international agreements (bilateral or through different programs/projects) with higher education institutions worldwide and membership in several major international organizations and networks. We expect to intensify global mobility to allow our students, faculty, and associates to demonstrate their qualities internationally and perfect themselves through such contacts. The University of Sarajevo offers research possibilities. We aim to improve quality, encourage science, technology, and art innovation, and strengthen UNSA’s research profile and recognition. The University of Sarajevo was awarded the „HR Excellence in Research“ logo, strengthening its commitment to providing a fair and inspiring research environment for its researchers.
University of Hildesheim
The University of Hildesheim Foundation emerged from the Teacher’s Training University of Lower Saxony (founded in 1946), and currently has four faculties: “Educational and Social Sciences,” “Cultural Studies and Aesthetic Communication,” “Linguistics and Information Science,” and “Mathematics, Natural Sciences, Economics and Computer Science”. The number of students enrolled at the University of Hildesheim is around 8,000 currently. Around 70 % are female students. Women also comprise 43 % of the faculty, above the national average. Gender equality, and equal treatment for persons from different social, ethnic and religious backgrounds, as well as educational integration in general, are important parts of the university’s mission. Interdisciplinary work, and narrowing the gap between theory and practice,
are important components of the research and teaching profile of the University of Hildesheim. Its well-designed and tested educational studies programs as well as cultural studies and applied linguistics are the traditional strength of the University of Hildesheim. In addition, Psychology, Childhood Education, Diversity Education, Translation Studies, Intercultural Communication, Environmental Studies and Business Information/Computer Science programs are also in high demand.
Since 2003, the University of Hildesheim has been a foundation under public law, and therefore enjoys a comparatively high degree of autonomy. Among other things, it can award professorships and approve its own construction projects. Annual third-party funding has increased sevenfold since the foundation was created. As a public foundation, the University of Hildesheim maintains close relationships with civil society, and a strong network of affiliation with educational, scientific and cultural institutions, as well as economic and business organizations. The University of Hildesheim is a University Foundation with a unique profile, and over 450 academic staff members in four faculties.
The Institute of Information Science and Language Technology (IWIST) was founded in 1998. The Department is dedicated to tightly connect research and teaching on recent topics in Information Science. The Institute has a strong research record and is highly focused on internationalization in teaching. As one of the leading Information Science institutions in Germany, its professors are specialised in four research areas: Information Retrieval, Human-Computer Interaction, Computational Linguistics and Online Marketing. The Institute is involved in research related to innovation in teaching and integration of
digital resources into teaching practices in Information Science and other programs at the University of Hildesheim. The faculty has a long-standing tradition of applying eLearning and developing OERs and MOOCs. The staff members have a strong publication record in the analysis of innovation in curricula, the effectiveness of digital tools in teaching and the perception of digital tools by learners in various domains.
The University of Hildesheim has a centre for gender equality (Gleichstellungsbüro) for ensuring equality between women and men. The centre provides guidelines and participates in all process of hiring staff. Although women seem to dominate the University of Hildesheim there are less than 50% are female professors. The higher the qualification level, the lower the proportion of women; this also applies to the University of Hildesheim. The Center for Gender Studies (Zentrum für Geschlechterforschung, ZfG) is an interdisciplinary institution at the University of Hildesheim. It offers cooperation and networking opportunities for students, teachers and researchers. The center’s activities are aimed at making gender research visible, promoting and implementing gender research at the University of Hildesheim from a transdisciplinary perspective.
University of Osijek
The Josip Juraj University in Osijek (AKA University in Osijek) was founded in 1975 and is the third oldest University in Croatia. Today it consists of 17 members: 11 faculties, 5 departments and an academy of arts. Its student population is close to 20.000.
The University of Osijek is a public institution of higher education, and educational institution that connects scientific research, artistic creation, study and teaching, thus developing science, profession, and arts and preparing students for professional activities on the basis of scientific knowledge and methods, as well as artistic values. The University provides internal and external mobility of students and teachers, takes care of the rational use of human and material resources, develops multidisciplinary studies and monitors quality and its improvement, assures competitiveness of educational, scientific, artistic and professional work, and develops a unique library and information system. Scientific research activity includes scientific and developmental research, publication of results, scientific training, and maintenance and development of scientific research infrastructure.
Through membership in international organisations and communities and through cooperative contracts with other universities the University of Osijek cooperates with numerous Croatian and foreign institutions and academic associations.
The University actively encourages the participation of its units in international competitive projects; incoming and outgoing mobility of students, academics and academic administration; contacts and encounters with domestic and foreign representatives of the academic, political and economic communities (diplomats, chancellors, representatives of international organisations and government, representatives of religious institutions, etc.).
The faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences is one of the oldest members of Osijek University. It was founded in 1977 and today it employs 147 teachers and researchers. It offers 12 undergraduate and 16 graduate study programs, and three post-graduate programs. Its student population is around 1500 students. The purpose and mission of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences in Osijek is to be an active stakeholder in higher education and research in the field of humanities and social sciences. Due to its geographical location and commitment to quality work, the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences has been recognized, as a strong regional, national and international centre of humanities and social
sciences focused on the systematic development and enhancement of research and the implementation of study programmes that enable students to acquire knowledge and skills adapted to the challenges of modern society.
The Department of Information Sciences at the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences in Osijek was established in 1998 as the Chair for Library Science, and currently offers undergraduate and graduate programs in library and information science, information technology and bookselling and publishing. Teachers/researchers at the Department are actively involved in the post-graduate program Knowledge Society and Transfer of Information at the University of Zadar. There are currently 22 staff members: 5 full-professors, 7 associate professors, 4 assistant professors, and 7 research and teaching assistants.
University of Zadar
As a part of the University of Zadar, the Department of Information Sciences offers study programs at the undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral postgraduate levels. Our study programs in Information sciences aim to educate competent professionals who will be equipped to work in an ever-changing environment and society that is influenced by the increasing application and use of ICT, new ways of organizing and disseminating information, and new ways of scientific communication and knowledge transfer. Our Department prepares students for careers as leaders in the information profession in Croatia, especially in librarianship.
Carinthia University Applied Sciences
Founded in 1995, the Carinthia University of Applied Sciences (CUAS) is offering 30 degree programs in the areas of Civil Engineering & Architecture, Engineering & IT, Health Sciences and Social Work and Management. Currently 2200 full- and part-time students are educated. The total staff of CUAS counts 330 employees, thereof 110 full professors. CUAS is committed to combine teaching, academic studies and applied research and development in all fields of action.
CUAS is committed to continuous improvement. Examples are improvement of quality in teaching and studies, enhancement of research and development, employee development, strengthening of internationalization, participation of students. In the field of teaching and studies CUAS is facing digital transformation by refining its curricula in respect to digitalization and learning analytics. Interdisciplinary work at CUAS is given high priority leading to new synergies between study areas. Through constant further development of degree programs in the light of life-long learning and intensive cooperation with the worlds of business and science, those studying at CUAS can be certain of an education which meet the demands of their future labor market.
The organizational unit FH Kärnten Research (FHKR) is a service unit for researchers at CUAS. FHKR supports researcher with bundled competences for project development, project submission, administrative project management, lead partner management, financial monitoring and research marketing. In addition, R&D controlling has been set up as an internal monitoring body and separate accounting groups for commercial and non-commercial R&D activities have been established. CUAS has experience in the management of third-party funded projects up to a volume of € 2 million as a project partner and/or lead partner in national (e.g. FFG, Federal Ministries, KWF, etc.) and international (Interreg SiAt, ItAt, Alpine Space, Central Europe, Horizon2020) funding programs. In 2022, the research volume was € 7.97 million.
Silesian University of Opava
The history of the Silesian University in Opava (Slezská UNI) is relatively short. It was established by a law passed by the Czech National Council on July 9, 1991, after a change of political regime in 1989. The Faculty of Philosophy and Science (FPS) teaches the subjects of arts (history, museology, archaeology, the Czech language, foreign languages, and library science), sciences (physics and computer science) and one art subject of creative photography. Today there are 14 study programmes for a bachelor’s degree, 12 study programmes for a master’s degree and 6 study programmes for a doctor’s degree. The last years have been a period of development in the field of science and research for the FPS. The scientific results of the Institutes of Historical Sciences, Physics and Computer Science, which have been published in Czech and renowned foreign journals, suggest a high quality of research comparable to the European standards. The outcome of creative activities of the most important academics of the Institute of Creative Photography are internationally recognised.
The LIS Department within the Faculty is renowned within the Czech Republic, contributing to the development of the library profession and maintaining high standards of ethics and professionalism. The topic of gender sensitivity and inclusion has been a topic of increasing interest among academics and students, especially recently, as it reflects the current debate on the future development of the library profession and its impact on society-wide agendas.
Slezká UNI is a member of the European University Association and other international institutions. With the beginning of the third millennium, the university successfully underwent a demanding evaluation process carried out by the European University Association. The university is also a holder of the prestigious HR Excellence in Research Award.