The project enhances the quality of Colombian, Cuban and Panamanian universities by transferring the EU expertise to design and implement a quality referential (framework, tools & methodology) based on impact assessment. This tool complements the actual QA systems currently limited to quality of teaching and research. This fosters an evolution towards an impact-driven culture in the institutions which improves the quality and relevance of the services that they provide to their community. The project results in an impact QA system, inspired by EU experience and customized to the 3 national contexts. The HEIs are capacitated for applying the quality referential at the institutional level (impact is measured and included in strategic development) and at the functional level (more activities/projects are targeted at local communities and their impact is maximized). The fitness for purpose and practical relevance of this QA system are verified by its implementation in 11 universities, under the mentorship of European experts.Results and best practices are compiled in two publications series: one for senior university management explaining how to measure, monitor and increase impact and collecting best practices. The second series, for faculty and specialist staff, provides guidelines and inspiration on how to maximize impact of universities activities for local environment and illustrates it it by a case studies compendium. Main findings and recommendations are shared with the 3 countries stakeholders during the project conference to build awareness and stimulate replication.The project promotes cultural changes in the universities who understand better how to answer the needs of their environment how to engage into innovative and more impactful activities. Regional & local communities benefit from the concrete results of the pilot projects and tighten their links with HEIs open to the local environment.
IMPALA enriches the national quality systems by incorporating the measure of impact and the practice from the theory of change on the 3rd mission activities. By evaluating the results of these activities, HEIs can assess their contribution to the society, and they can update their strategic planning, organization and work structure to provide better services to meet the demands of their environment.
QA systems have been historically focused on the two traditional missions of the university: creation of knowledge (research) and its dissemination (teaching). HEIs also provide services directed to the community (such as lifelong-learning programmes or innovation labs), using all the HEI resources (academic organisation, location, structures), in a way these activities benefit to both the society and the university itself (“3rd mission”). QA systems should be updated to assess them.
<< Background >> QA systems have been historically focused on the two traditional missions of the university: creation of knowledge (research) and its dissemination (teaching). HEIs also provide services directed to the community (such as lifelong-learning programmes or innovation labs), using all the HEI resources (academic organisation, location, structures), in a way these activities benefit to both the society and the university itself (“3rd mission”). QA systems should be updated to assess them. << Objectives >> IMPALA enriches the national quality systems by incorporating the measure of impact and the practice from the theory of change on the 3rd mission activities. By evaluating the results of these activities, HEIs can assess their contribution to the society, and they can update their strategic planning, organization and work structure to provide better services to meet the demands of their environment. << Implementation >> 1: Partners agree on a common definition of impact and 3rd mission. It lays the ground for the design of the Impact Assessment Framework (“IAF”) and the guidelines for its use;2: HEIs test the IAF on selected 3rd mission activities. They reflect simultaneously on a methodology for 3rd mission strategic planning;3: The results of the pilot-test are analysed to update the IAF. Reference materials (guidelines and books) are published for the replication of IMPALA in other institutions. << Results >> 1: The IAF assesses the impact of the 3rd mission activities of the university. It is available for use in HEIs. Its internal and external validity has been verified in the partners universities. 2: The case-study book showcases the results of the 3M evaluations, and the methodological key learning points derived from the experimentation. 3: The best practices book shares the methodology for the development of strategic plans for the 3rd mission in Latin America.