University Social Responsibility Meeting 9-13 May, 2016 in Vienna
From CSR to USR: Meeting Social Responsibility in Vienna
Staff Training Week, 9-13 May, 2016, University of Wien
On the photo above: Group photo from UNIBILITY Training Week, 9-13 May, Vienna
A DCU team, led by Professor Maria Slowey (HERC) attended a USR staff training week held at the University of Vienna from 9-13 May 2016. The five day training programme took place under the EU UNIBILTY project or University meets Social Responsibility and six institutions from across Europe participated including:
- University of Vienna (Austria)
- University of Politehnica of Bucharest (Romania)
- University of Ptuj (Slovenia)
- University of Porto (Portugal)
- University of Barcelona (Spain)
- Dublin City University (Ireland).
University Social Responsibility (USR) is derived from CSR and is about supporting dynamic engagement between higher education and external partners in order to produce an overall positive impact on society. The week provided an opportunity for EU colleagues to interface and examine social responsibility in the university context, how to build on their existing expertise and translate that knowledge into tangible action. The workshop was a stimulating mix of presentations, collaborative workshops and brainstorming with each institution looking to increase its societal impact through strategy, best practice and increased understanding of USR in general.
The UNIBILITY reader and toolkit were also formally launched during the week. These two valuable publications will provide a wealth of theory and best practice for all institutions committed to their ‘third mission’.
Dr Katharina Resch, University of Vienna did a superb job of hosting the training event and trainees also got the opportunity to enjoy some of the sights and features that this beautiful city has to offer not to mention the wonderfully pleasant weather which made the week all the more enjoyable! The next UNIBILITY event will take place in Barcelona 18-22 July with a training week for students, followed by a partners’ meeting in Porto in October 2016.