Anne Sommer is the Head of the 4EU+ Alliance | European Office at Heidelberg University (UHD) which serves as an interface between academic and non-academic staff at UHD, the university’s leadership, students, and the regional authorities. The Office coordinates all projects within the 4EU+ Alliance with a special focus on governance and sustainability, student mobility, online education, research support, and internal communication.
Anne has worked within the field of international education in different capacities at Heidelberg University for 15 years. Her expertise lies in the areas of digital education, innovative pedagogies, and the strategic development of educational offer. She has been involved in the 4EU+ Alliance since 2019. Additionally, she is the LERU senior officer at UHD.
To ensure the long-term success of the 4EU+ Alliance, WP6 focuses on establishing a sustainable governance and management framework. This work package supports the continuous evolution of structures and procedures, promoting effective, transparent decision-making in line with the Alliance’s ambitions.
WP6 encompasses tasks that enhance governance capabilities, support funding acquisition, and strengthen the 4EU+ community through competence-building initiatives and a comprehensive quality management system.
Task 6.1 focuses on continuously evolving the governance and management structures within the 4EU+ Alliance. It includes reviewing the existing structures, benchmarking with other universities and alliances, and developing a comprehensive governance framework that supports effective, sound, and transparent decision-making. The task also aims to ensure that the governance model remains adaptable and scalable to meet the future needs of the Alliance.
Task 6.2 aims to create procedures for assessing the sustainability of the Alliance's activities and structures. It will refine the operations of the Grant Support Service (GSS), supporting the 4EU+ teams in securing third-party funding and ensuring long-term sustainability. The task also includes piloting the assessment of sustainability for Flagships, focusing on their scientific orientation, financial scope, and overall impact
Task 6.3 focuses on raising awareness among non-academic staff about the international dimension of universities and making them part of it. It promotes administrative exchanges and mobility opportunities within the 4EU+ Alliance, fostering personal connections and cross-disciplinary cooperation. Additionally, the task supports the development of a 4EU+ working culture and strengthens competencies through staff exchanges, training, and seminars that encourage knowledge-sharing and collaboration.
Task 6.4 focuses on piloting and refining the 4EU+ QUALITY management system (QMS) to ensure the effectiveness and efficiency of governance across the Alliance. It involves conducting internal audits and external reviews, developing quality indicators, and creating new evaluation methods. The goal is to continuously improve the governance processes and ensure that educational activities within the Alliance meet the highest quality standards.
April 2024