Kick off meeting

UNAM – Promoting the modernization and strengthening of institutional and financial autonomy in Southern Neighbouring Area higher education institutions, a Tempus IV co-financed project celebrated the success of project application at the University of Alicante, co-ordinator of the project, with a 7-country consortium on 20th and 21st of December 2010.

Dr. Joaquín Juan Marhuenda Fructuoso, Vice-Rector of Institutional Studies Planning of UA, welcomed the project partners from Jordan, Lebanon, Palestine, Syria, Austria and Germany, as well as expressed his gratitute to their support and participation of the project. Each partner, then, gave a brief presentation on their institution to the rest of the group.

Given to the novelty of the project nature, the director of International Project Management Office, Dr. Roberto Escarré, explained the rationale of the project and stressed the importance of financial management for higher education institutions in the currently competitive economic situation, while Nizar Ayadi, the UNAM project manager, shared the vision and mission, workplan and co-chaired the discussion section with Dr. Escarré.

Good practices and efficient financial management were also introduced by Idasa Sistemas S.L., specialist in service managemet and personnel management for universities, and a site visit to the headquarter of SUMA, Provincial Council of Alicante, in the city.

At the end of the meeting, the consortium agreed on the date of the next study visit to Italy and Austria.