From 3 to 4 September 2007, Universitas 21 co-organised a conference with colleagues from Harvard and Cambridge Universities under the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development’s (OECD) Institutional Management of Higher Education (IMHE) ‘What works’ programme.

Colleagues from around the network not only attended the conference as participants but also presented examples of good practice in making their universities great places to work. The theme of the conference was ‘Practical Tools for Making Your University a Great Place to Work’ and Professor Timothy O’Shea, Principal of the University of Edinburgh, got the conference off to a flying start by reflecting on the changing global context in which higher education operates, using his own university as an exemplar.

The closing address was by the Honourable Gerald Balies, Director of the Miller Center of Public Affairs at the University of Virginia. Governor Baliles was able to reflect on the role of universities within the wider society and drew on his experience in public service – having served as Governor of the State of Virginia as well as its Attorney General prior to joining UVa – and of the private sector.

One third of the 12 case studies presented had a link to Universitas 21 and its members. Richard James and Elizabeth Baré of the University of Melbourne presented on integrated strategies for ensuring staff motivation; from the University of Birmingham, Tina Suvajec Lees showcased the work done their in employee support; and Gertrude Fraser outlined the work done at the University of Virginia on enhancing faculty recruitment and diversity there.  U21Global was also represented by Kanishka Bedi who explained how they improved effectiveness, collegiality and academic growth with a geographically spread faculty group. All the presentations, not just from Universitas 21 colleagues, are available on the IMHE website together with several of the PowerPoint slides used by presenters both of case studies and of plenary sessions.

Four Universitas 21 members are already also members of IMHE, although several others may have links with the programme through national agencies, and if any further institutions wish to join, they should contact Valérie Lafon at the OECD offices in Paris (v.lafon@oecd.org).  Further information on the IMHE programme is available by clicking here.