University rankings criticised at the UNICA rectors’ seminar
Tallinn University was selected as the venue for the annual UNICA (Networkof Universities from the Capitals of Europe) rectors’ seminar that tookplace on May 28, 2010. One of the most well known networks among Europeanuniversities, UNICA unites universities of European capital cities. Thetheme of this year’s seminar was evaluation of academic output andanalysis of administrative efficiency in research promotion. A key issuediscussed at the seminar was evaluation and rankings of universities.
Philippe Vincke, Rector of the Université Libre de Bruxelles, and
Veronique Halloin, Secretary General FNRS, presented an overview of the
current system of rankings, its problems and its effects on higher
education and research in general. The presentation was followed by a
discussion.The main source of concern was the lack of clear methodology and
common principles for university evaluation and rankings, which has
resulted in an unsystematic ranking of universities. In November 2009, a
Working Group on Evaluation in Research and Higher Education was formed in
order to find alternative solutions, the results of which were introduced
at the seminar in Tallinn. The UNICA rectors’ seminar is an annual
meeting of rectors that is hosted by a different UNICA university every
year. Tallinn University hosted rectors and vice rectors from 16
universities and five external experts of higher education. A total of 13
European countries were represented at this year’s seminar.UNICA was
founded in 1990, and Tallinn University became a member in 2006. Prof Rein
Raud, Rector of Tallinn University, is a member of the UNICA Steering
Committee from November, 2009. The member universities of UNICA (altogether
42) have a total of 120,000 employees and 1.5 million students. The
headquarters of the network are located in the Université Libre de
Bruxelles. UNICA members from Estonia’s neighbouring countries include
the University of Helsinki, Stockholm University, University of Copenhagen,
Lomonosov Moscow State University, University of Vilnius, University of
Latvia, and Tallinn University of Technology.Maiki VooreTallinn University
Press Officertelephone: 6409 142, 533 26 588e-mail: maiki.voore@tlu.ee
Veronique Halloin, Secretary General FNRS, presented an overview of the
current system of rankings, its problems and its effects on higher
education and research in general. The presentation was followed by a
discussion.The main source of concern was the lack of clear methodology and
common principles for university evaluation and rankings, which has
resulted in an unsystematic ranking of universities. In November 2009, a
Working Group on Evaluation in Research and Higher Education was formed in
order to find alternative solutions, the results of which were introduced
at the seminar in Tallinn. The UNICA rectors’ seminar is an annual
meeting of rectors that is hosted by a different UNICA university every
year. Tallinn University hosted rectors and vice rectors from 16
universities and five external experts of higher education. A total of 13
European countries were represented at this year’s seminar.UNICA was
founded in 1990, and Tallinn University became a member in 2006. Prof Rein
Raud, Rector of Tallinn University, is a member of the UNICA Steering
Committee from November, 2009. The member universities of UNICA (altogether
42) have a total of 120,000 employees and 1.5 million students. The
headquarters of the network are located in the Université Libre de
Bruxelles. UNICA members from Estonia’s neighbouring countries include
the University of Helsinki, Stockholm University, University of Copenhagen,
Lomonosov Moscow State University, University of Vilnius, University of
Latvia, and Tallinn University of Technology.Maiki VooreTallinn University
Press Officertelephone: 6409 142, 533 26 588e-mail: maiki.voore@tlu.ee