Research support: models and professionalisation

This presentation was given by Mr Simon Kerridge, Secretary of the Association of Research Managers and Administrators (ARMA), at the BRAM-NET Annual Event on the 17th February 2011. The event was organised by Dr Rosa Scoble and hosted at Brunel University. BRAM-NET (The Brunel Research Administrators & Managers Network) is a forum to share best practice and information on new initiatives between colleagues supporting research in the centre and academic areas at Brunel University

Rewards at the top: the European Union

Book synopsis: Anyone observing the recent scandals in the United Kingdom could not fail to understand the political importance of the rewards of high public office. The British experience has been extreme but by no means unique, and many countries have experienced political over the pay and perquisites of public officials. This book addresses an important element of public governance, and does so in longitudinal and comparative manner. The approach enables the contributors to make a number of key statements not only about the development of political systems but also about the differences among those systems. It provides a unique and systematic investigation of both formal and informal rewards for working in high-level positions in the public sector, and seeks to determine the impacts of the choices of reward structures. Covering 14 countries and drawing on a wide range of data sources, this work will be of great interest to students and scholars of comparative public administration, international politics and government

Guide for members of governing bodies of universities and colleges in England, Wales and Northern Ireland

Contents Introduction Glossary of Terms Part I 1 Summary of Responsibilities of Members of Governing Bodies 2 The Legal Status of Institutions 3 The Framework of Governance of Higher Education Institutions 4 Conduct of Governing Body Business 5 The Regulation of Financial Affairs 6 Staffing Matters 7 Students Part II Annex A Funding of Higher Education Annex B The Funding Councils Annex C Representative Bodies in the Higher Education System Annex D Quality of Learning and Teaching Annex E Health and Safety Annex F Abbreviations and Acronyms in Higher Education Annex G Higher Education Institutions funded by the HEFCE Annex H Higher Education Institutions funded by HEFCW Annex I Universities funded by DHFETE Annex J Corporate Governance: Model Statements for Inclusion in Annual Reports and Accounts Annex K Guidance on Whistleblowing Annex L Bibliography Index Introduction Institutions of higher education are characterised by a distinctive ethos. Despite diverse backgrounds and traditions, they are united in the common purpose of the provision of teaching, and the pursuit of knowledge and research, including research which contributes to economic growth. They are also committed to the principle of academic freedom, that is the freedom to question received wisdom and put forward new and possibly controversial ideas. Additionally, they are autonomous organisations, responsible for the management and direction of their own affairs. Members of governing bodies need to recognise, and be committed to, the distinctive principles and ethos of higher education in order to contribute effectively to the work of the institution with which they are associated. This Guide is intended to assist members of governing bodies of universities and colleges of higher education in England, Wales and Northern Ireland in the performance of their duties. The Guide is divided into two Parts. Part I is directly concerned with the role of the governing body. It outlines the legal status of institutions and their structures of governance, and considers the responsibilities of members of governing bodies towards their own institutions, to Government and Parliament, and to the wider community. Part II of the Guide consists mainly of a series of appendices which provide background information about the higher education system. This information is included in order to help members of the governing body understand their role in a wider context. The internal organisation, procedures and regulations of individual institutions vary enormously and the Guide presents only a broad overview. Members of governing bodies should refer to the secretary or registrar or clerk to their governing body for more detailed information and guidance about the internal arrangements in their particular institution, or about issues raised in the present Guide. The Guide has been prepared by the Committee of University Chairmen (CUC) in association with the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE), the Higher Education Funding Council for Wales (HEFCW) and the Department of Higher and Further Education, Training and Employment for Northern Ireland (DHFETE), and in co-operation with Universities UK (formerly CVCP), the Association of Heads of University Administration (AHUA) and the Standing Conference of Principals (SCOP). This is the third edition of the Guide and it has been updated to take account of various changes in higher education and the CUC’s review of corporate governance published in December 2000. Ron Haylock Chairman of the Committee of University Chairme

Strengthening Women's Access to Land into IFAD projects: The Rwanda Experience

This paper is a joint effort of IFAD and RISD to analyse and investigate women's land rights in Rwanda. It presents the outcomes of the investigation on women?s land rights and its implications in the redistribution, delimitation and registration process carried out in the Nyagatare, Gatsibo, Kayonza and Kirehe Districts in the Eastern Province. For the assessment, meetings were held in the four Districts, with IFAD project staff, beneficiaries, Cell and District Executive Secretaries, Districts Mayors, members of various men and women cooperatives, District Land Officers, members of Cell and District Land Committees