CEICS FINAL ASSESSMENT REPORT - 2015 CAMPUS OF INTERNATIONAL EXCELLENCE SOUTHERN CATALONIA Type of CIE: Global □ Regional x Acronym: CEICS Coordinating University: Rovira i Virgili University Other institutions promoting the CIE: URV Foundation Catalan Chemical Research Institute (ICIQ) Catalonia Energy Research Institute (IREC) Chemistry Technology Centre (CTQ) Tarragona Science and Technology Park Tarragona Chemical Business Association (AEQT) Pere Virgili Health Research Institute (IISPV) Food and Agriculture Research and Technologies Institute (IRTA) Nutrition and Health Technology Centre (CTNS) Parc Tecnològic del Camp - Tecnoparc, S.A. Innovative Nutrition and Health Business Association (AINS) Verge de la Cinta Hospital Pere Mata University Psychiatric Hospital Sant Joan University Hospital Joan XXIII University Hospital Wine Technology Park - VITEC Innovative Business Association in the Catalan wine sector (INNOVI) Foundation of the Science and Technology Park of Tourism and Leisure of Catalonia (PCTTO) Tarragona Hostelry and Tourism Business Federation (FEHT) Catalan Classical Archaeology Institute (ICAC) Catalan Institute of Paleoecology and Human and Social Evolution (IPHES) Period: 2010-2015 Co-ordinated by: Jordi Cartanyà Solé, Executive Director; 977 297 056 - 629 872 618; E-mail: [email protected] CEICS Office: Tel: 977 55 85 37; Fax: 977.55.87.11 CEICS website: http://www.ceics.eu/es_index.html Tarragona, 30 September, 2015 2 CONTENTS Executive Summary 4 1. Introduction 14 2. Description of the project 19 2.1 Improvement of Teaching and Adaptation to the European Higher Education Area 21 2.2 Scientific Improvement and Knowledge Transfer 25 2.3 Interaction with the Social, Business and Regional environment 33 2.4 Transformation of the Campus for the Development of a Comprehensive Social Model 41 2.5 Priority Areas of the CEICS: Strategic Specialization in Southern Catalonia 44 3. Project management 59 4. Outlook for the future 67 Appendices 71 I - Description of activities 72 II – Main results 125 III- Indicators 127 IV- Use of resources 144 3 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 4 Foundations for the CEICS project Southern Catalonia, with a population of 800,000 economic sectors in Southern Catalonia converge: inhabitants, an area of 6,000 km2 and a GDP of 21,000 Chemistry, Prehistory/Archaeology, Tourism, Enology M€, has a socio-economic structure based on strong and Nutrition. industry in the chemical, energy, tourisme and agro- Based on this vision, with the leadership of the food sectors and a significant cultural and natural URV, research institutes, technology centres and heritage. science and technology parks specialising in these Rovira i Virgili University (URV), Southern strategic areas and located in or adjacent to the URV Catalonia's public university, was established in 1992 campus, were established in the region. Between 2000 from already existing centres of the University of and 2009, the URV developed its research and Barcelona. In early 2000, the URV adopted a vision of educational potential, appearing in prominent being a globally competitive and locally relevant positions at a Spanish level and emerging as an university, intensive in research quality, with training of international force, especially in its strategic areas. In excellence at bachelor's degree and postgraduate this context, the Spanish Government's Campus of levels, and specialising in areas in which its emerging International Excellence Programme was created in scientific potential and that of the most representative 2009, and provided the backdrop for the CEICS project. Vision The CEICS is an instrument for making a qualitative leap in the development of the knowledge and innovation ecosystem in Southern Catalonia, in order to become a leading knowledge region, comparable to others in Europe of a similar size, which effectively contributes to the region's progress. Objectives Excellence: in bachelor's degree and postgraduate teaching, research and in transfer relevance. Specialisation: areas where the potential of Southern Catalonia, the URV and agents of knowledge and innovation are aligned: Chemistry and Energy; Nutrition and Health; Tourism; Oenology; Heritage and Culture. Internationalisation: students and staff, participation in research and training initiatives, networks,… An advanced campus: environmentally sustainable, socially responsible, inclusive and equitable. Instruments Affiliation: the URV coordinates a group of 22 institutions in the region associated with the CEICS priority areas, as well as other partners (businesses and government bodies). Governance: the affiliated organisations are part of a legal entity with its own legal status: the Southern Catalonia Knowledge Hub Association. Alliances: national and international, with leading centres in training, research and transfer. Funding: diversification and complementarity (CEI Programme, Programmes by affiliated organisations and partners and competitive Programmes in Catalonia, Spain and Europe). The URV is ranked among the top 100 universities in the world less than 50 years old in 2014 and 2015 The URV is in 80th position in 2015 (66 in 2014) in THES 100 under 50 ranking, which assesses thirteen indicators related to five categories: teaching, research, citations, internationalisation - students and teaching staff - and transfer of knowledge and innovation. This is undoubtedly a significant factor in the situation and progress over the years of the CEICS, in which the URV has a core strategic role. 5 Improvement of Teaching and Adaptation to the European Higher Education Area Vision The CEICS offers a range of high quality bachelor's Master's degree and doctorate studies are a degree studies, adapted to regional, national and priority, and achieve high levels of international European socioeconomic conditions that are taught in positioning, especially in the priority areas of the CEICS. innovative learning environments. Situation and progress The CEICS significantly increases doctoral students and internationalisation With an almost 50% increase in the number of an increase of 7% in the priority areas. There is a similar doctoral students between the 2009-10 and 2014-15 rise in bachelor's degree students. academic years, the CEICS has a critical mass The last five years have seen an increase from 885 proportionally comparable to leading European foreign students (2009-10 academic year) to 1,360 campuses with high levels of research intensity. (2014-15 academic year), of which 667 are completing The figures for students of master's degree studies postgraduate studies and 693 are taking bachelor's remain constant for the period 2009-2015, experiencing degree courses. The CEICS has a range of high quality courses adapted to the European Higher Education Area 100% of the bachelor's degree and master's degree Postgraduate studies in priority areas operate in programmes are adapted to the European Higher international networks. Three of them have received Education Area in their design, methodology, and ERASMUS MUNDUS recognition. teaching. Main activities 2010-2015 Strategic boost for doctoral studies o CEICS Forum 2011 dedicated to the doctorate. o Professionalisation programme for doctorate o Development of strategic international alliances. supervision - a pioneer in continental Europe. o Establishment of the CEICS Postgraduate School. o Development of Industrial Doctorates. o Structuring of doctoral studies in 22 Programmes, o The EUA Council for Doctoral Education will hold its with the participation of the URV and the CEICS 2016 annual meeting at the CEICS. affiliated research institutes. 6 Full implementation of adaptation to the European Higher Education Area o Tutorial action plans in all studies. o Development of a virtual learning environment. o Analysis of the students' educational experience. o Implementation of Learning and Research Resource o Core curriculum for all bachelor's degree students. Centres (CRAI). o Programme to encourage innovation in teaching. o Teaching infrastructure improvement plan. o Generalization of external work placements in o Competence-based learning, including a pioneering businesses. project in Spain for assessment of competences. o Training programme for teaching staff. Development of the Internal Quality Assurance System (SIGC) o Preparation of Quality Manuals for teaching centres o Preparation of Guides and support materials for and the SIGC process map. monitoring and accreditation of qualifications. o Design and implementation of the accreditation o Positive accreditation of 3 bachelor's degrees and 4 process for qualifications. master's degrees. o Review of the results analysis process and o National recognition for the SIGC in the accreditation improvement of the training programme. of the qualifications of the Faculty of Arts. The internationalisation of teaching - a key element in the vision of the CEICS o International doctorate consortia/networks, double o Internationalisation "at home”: increase in English degrees and co-supervision of doctoral theses. language teaching and support services for foreign o External and internal programmes to establish stable students; professionalisation of the mobility bridges with priority in Asia (China and India) internationalisation management area; participation and America. in international networks, internationally advertised o 66 institutions from 45 countries visited the CEICS appeal to foreign students; URV website in Mandarin between 2010 and