Mandate:   Resolution of the Council approved at its 1253th Session held on 22 November 2011 [C/M(2011)19/PROV Item 203 and C(2011)110]

Resolution of the Council [C(2011)110]

RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL CONCERNING MANDATE OF THE PROGRAMME ON INSTITUTIONAL MANAGEMENT IN HIGHER EDUCATION (IMHE)

“THE COUNCIL,

   Having regard to the Convention on the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development of 14 December 1960, and, in particular, Articles 5 a), 9 and 12 thereof;

   Having regard to the Rules of Procedure of the Organisation;

   Having regard to the Financial Regulations of the Organisation;

   Having regard to the Resolution of the Council concerning the participation of non-Members in the work of subsidiary bodies of the Organisation [C(2004)132/FINAL];

   Having regard to the Decision of the Council of 20 July 1976 concerning a Decentralised Project on Institutional Management in Higher Education [C(76)75(Final)], as last renewed by Council on 4 December 2008 [C(2008)198/REV1 and C/M(2008)21/PROV, Item 306];

   Having regard to the evaluation of IMHE carried out in 2008 [EDU/IMHE/GB(2008)3];

   Having regard to the proposed revision of the mandate of the Programme on Institutional Management in Higher Education (IMHE) [C(2011)110];

DECIDES:

   The Programme on Institutional Management in Higher Education (IMHE) is hereby renewed with the following revised mandate:

Mission

   The work of IMHE reflects and complements the priorities of the OECD as a whole, in promoting sustainable development and social cohesion through good governance. The Programme contributes to supporting participating Members and non-Members to achieve high quality lifelong learning for all that contributes to personal development, sustainable economic growth and social cohesion. It is carried out with due regard to the mandates of the other education bodies, namely the Education Policy Committee (EDPC), the Centre for Education Research and Innovation (CERI) Governing Board and the Programme on International Student Assessment (PISA) Governing Board.

   The specific objectives of IMHE are:

   - To contribute to the improvement of higher education through the strengthening of institutional governance and management. It does this by assisting its participants – including higher education institutions, ministries and agencies – collectively and individually, to understand the social and political environment in which they operate and to meet more effectively their organisational objectives – including high quality research, effective teaching, and contributing to social and economic development.

   - To analyse the governance and strategic management of higher education institutions and the development of their role in society. It does this through the analysis of policy developments and institutional practice, making use of OECD data and indicators, as well as case-studies and the experience of participants.

Participation

   Participation in IMHE is open to all OECD Members. Participation in the Programme is also open to non-Members, higher education institutions and other organisations involved in higher education from OECD Members and non-Members, in line with the global relations strategy of the Programme. Requests for participation from non-Members, higher education institutions and other organisations are approved by the Governing Board in accordance with criteria established by it.

Governing Board

   The Governing Board shall be composed of one representative from each participating OECD Member. Non-Members may participate with one representative in the Governing Board, either as Full Participants or Observers, as decided by the Governing Board. All participating higher education institutions and other organisations from the same country may together nominate one representative to the Governing Board, in accordance with a procedure that must be approved by the Governing Board. The latter representatives may participate in the Governing Board, either as voting participants or as observers, as decided by the Governing Board. Other higher education institutions and organisations participating in the Programme not directly represented on the Governing Board may attend the meetings as observers.

   Representatives of all OECD members may attend meetings of the Governing Board. The Chair or a Vice Chair of the Education Policy Committee and the Governing Boards of the Centre for Education Research and Innovation, and the Programme on International Student Assessment may attend meetings of the Governing Board ex officio.

   The Governing Board shall be concerned with all matters in the field of competence of the Programme, including those of any subsidiary bodies. Having regard to the mandate of the Education Policy Committee, the Governing Board:

   - develops and approves its draft work programme and its draft budget, taking into account the medium-term strategy developed by the Education Policy Committee;

   - prioritises its activities and outputs in consultation with the Education Policy Committee;

   - monitors the quality and timeliness of output results, activities and projects;

   - disseminates its policy advice, policy analysis and research and data to a wide range of Member and non-Member stakeholders;

   - evaluates the outcomes of the Programme’s work;

   - seeks the guidance of the Education Policy Committee for recommendations with major policy implications and for decisions to launch major new activities with significant financial implications for OECD Members.

Budget of the Programme

   The programme of work and the budget of the Programme shall be examined by the Budget Committee, which shall address its comments to the Governing Board and shall refer to the Council any question that cannot be settled by agreement with the Governing Board. The programme of work and budget shall be deemed to be adopted at the end of this procedure.

   The expenditure of the Programme shall be charged against the appropriations authorised for it under a Part II Chapter of the Budget of the Organisation.

   The contributions to the budget to be paid by participants and observers shall be determined by the Governing Board.

   In order to secure stable funding for the Programme, appropriations for which no commitment has been entered into before the end of the Financial Year for which they were appropriated, as well as any surplus income, shall be automatically carried forward to the budget for the ensuing year by decision of the Secretary‑General, notwithstanding the provisions of Article 10 of the Financial Regulations of the Organisation.

Relationship with other bodies

   The Governing Board and other relevant bodies of the Organisation shall maintain close working relationships on issues related to the improvement of higher education through the strengthening of institutional governance and management. The Governing Board shall co-operate with other international and regional organisations active in its field of competence. It may consult with non-governmental bodies as and when necessary.

Duration

   This mandate shall remain in force until 31 December 2016.”