The new University was established in May 2019, under the law of synergy between Universities and TEIs, which provided for the operation of a Higher Education Institution in West Macedonia. One year after, the University has redefined its role and status in the Greek academic context by remodelling new organisation processes, curricula, functions and attitudes. During that time, the new Governance, fostering a sense of responsibility, and despite any organisation problems arising from mergers, exploited the transition period of synergies between HEIs and created a setting, which facilitated the role of the academic community, namely, students, academic and administrative staff, to generate and disseminate knowledge.
The University of Western Macedonia (UoWM) runs 22 Departments in 5 cities in West Macedonia, with over 14,000 and 2,000 undergraduate and postgraduate students, respectively. Although it is a large university with a brief academic history in comparison with other Greek Universities, UoWM, being a new HEI, features vigour, flexibility and determination, all of which contribute to prompt decision- and policy-making processes, as well as implementation of innovative practice in the context of Greek academia.
The new UoWM Governance, in compliance with the international best practices and trends, has introduced a new Internal Regulation and Strategic Plan, and established quality as a fundamental concept to accomplish the University vision and mission. In this respect, special emphasis has been placed on fostering and creating a culture of quality in all fields, from teaching and research to day-to-day activities of the academic community members. This venture is endorsed by implementing the Internal Quality Assurance System, which is based on the guidelines of the Hellenic Authority for Higher Education, and consulting the relevant indices of the University scientific, economic and social qualities. In this framework, UoWM has achieved accreditation in terms of ISO 9001:2015 as regards administrative and technical services, and complied with GDPR requirements and specifications. In addition, focusing on Transparency, Social Responsibility and Accountability, the University is preparing to adopt Anti-Corruption policies against bribery, according to ISO 37001: 2016, and the Corporate Social Responsibility International Standard, according to ISO 26000. Excellence and quality assurance have been endorsed in a number of other fundamental regulatory decisions, such as the regulatory requirement for a minimum number of high quality doctoral research publications, and rewarding excellence pay schemes for academic staff publications, based on the objective criteria of international bibliographic databases. So far, there has been a sharp increase in the number of approved research projects at a national and European level, whereas great emphasis has also been given to organising the newly established University research Centre.
At present, the University is pursuing rapid development schemes and is focused on an ambitious building schedule, which involves a new University Campus in Kozani and improvement of the existing infrastructure (including student welfare facilities and accommodation) in the other cities running University departments. UoWM’s partnership in “Energy Generation Community”, with the Regional and Local Authorities of West Macedonia, is part of the University strategic planning objectives of making the University a Zero Footprint Institution (Green University); in this respect, full digitization of all university functions has already been introduced.
Special emphasis is given to student and employee welfare and health (both physical and mental) and to shaping attitudes towards work environment and vulnerable groups, from a holistic rather than narrow perspective. In this framework, the University has established Counselling and Support Units and wellness centres. It has also promptly set up a Health Crisis Management Committee and successfully implemented safety regulations for protection against COVID-19, especially during the exam period in June. Overall, priority is given to all kinds of support to students, who are welcomed in a safe environment during the new academic year.
The University also aspires to make a substantial contribution to development schemes in West Macedonia, in the framework of decarbonisation processes by 2023, in which Greece was the first European country to engage. As a great percentage of the local GDP has so far relied on power generation plants in West Macedonia, the rapid transition to the post-lignite era is associated with serious economic and social challenges. In this context, the University of Western Macedonia is a strategic partner for implementing the new regional development model during the transition period to a low carbon economy.
As transition challenges can become an opportunity, the University Lifelong Learning Centre is bound to play a leading role in delivering education and retraining to the local workforce affected by rapid decarbonisation processes. In addition, UoWM will become the hub of an integrated innovation ecosystem, specialising in clean energy and environmental technologies.
Finally, by implementing the Ministry of Education Fair Development Transition Clause, which provides for strengthening and supporting the University as a compensatory benefit against the emerging changes, UoWM, as it has officially been stated, will be able “to play a completely different role from what has been typical of other Greek universities for many decades “.
University of Western Macedonia
