COMMIT Update: Peer Learning Visits Complete

As of April 2015, the academic partners have completed their twelve peer learning visits meaning the project is now ready to enter a new phase of work. As external observer, EUCEN has attended two of the visits to monitor and report on their operation. Drawing on principles of collaborative and collective learning, the peer-learning visits have allowed partners to share views on the integration of the social dimension into university strategy. In particular, partners have had the chance to analyse and discuss the four self-evaluation tools:

• The Strategy process Tool
• The Strategy content Tool
• The Charter Tool
• The Attainment Tool

These wide-ranging visits have transformed the COMMIT process into an organisational learning experience for the people and the institution involved. As a result, the project partners have observed an enhancement of their institutions’ commitment to change towards a stronger engagement with lifelong learning strategies and the social dimension of universities. At the end of each visit, visitor and visited partners produced comprehensive reports on the visit, summarizing the discussions held and including recommendations on the use of the tools. These reports, along with the tools completed by each partner, will be the basis for the transversal analysis which is due to be finished by October 2015. The analysis will include an examination of the first three tools as well as a feasibility study on the fourth tool, in view of its wider use at national and European level.  

Two extra visits will be undertaken at the end of the project in two additional countries where COMMIT has no partners (Austria and Poland). This will contribute to further valorise the tools and results of the project. An executive summary, a policy paper including recommendations, and a technical report covering the methodology and results of the data collection and analysis will be written and published. To find out more, see the COMMIT website for details.