The final USTREAM peer learning seminar, co-organised by EUA and HUMANE – Heads of University Management and Administration Network in Europe, stimulated the discussion on how to close the gap between strategy formation and execution in order to achieve sustainable efficiency gains. The focus of the programme was on identifying critical success factors, research evidence, contemporary strategy implementation practice, and the lived experiences of participants in overcoming barriers to achieve sustainable efficiency gains in our universities.
Objectives
While many European universities are initiating strategic transformation programmes for various purposes, the research evidence consistently shows that something like 70 per cent of all transformation programmes in all sectors fail to meet their objectives. To address this issue, the participants in the workshop engaged in a moderated discussion of the key ingredients of strategy implementation in universities, such as effective institutional leadership (comprising both governance and management); organisational operating models and structure; and institutional culture, contributing to achieving sustainable efficiency gains.
Participants
The seminar brought together ca. 20 institutional leaders experienced in steering institutional transformation programmes. The event was of special interest to rectors, vice rectors, or other members of the universities’ leadership team, as well as public officials at national higher education ministries and controlling agencies overseeing efficiency related matters.
Efficiency leadership and governance insights from the USTREAM project
Thomas Estermann, Director Governance, Funding and Public Policy Development, EUA
Change programme in Helsinki
Esa Hämäläinen, Director of Administration, University of Helsinki
Learning lessons How to achieve change in universities
Paul Woodgates, Head of Services to the Education Sector, PA Consulting Group