ESMU - HUMANE Winter School for Senior University Administrators
Valencia, 4 - 10 March 2012
The context
Throughout Europe, and despite apparent differences between national systems, senior managers in higher education have to deal with very similar issues. The increasing impact of European legislation and initiatives such as the Bologna Declaration reinforce this common interest. The top managers of tomorrow will be those who understand the global environment and can capitalise on opportunities for development.
Aims
The ESMU-HUMANE Winter School develops the leadership potential of talented administrators by making them fully aware of the concepts and practices of strategic management in a European context, and the importance of integrating academic matters, finances, human resources, governance, leadership and communication strategy in the elaboration of university strategy.
Format
The programme is highly intensive, including plenary sessions and practical work in small groups. Participants are encouraged to discuss the situation of their own institutions. The working language is English, but presenters are well used to dealing with various levels of language proficiency.
Subject matter
The Winter School focuses on leadership skills and the “big picture” of management (how to identify and implement necessary changes). However, the context of university life and the developing scene across Europe provides a unifying thread – this is not just “yet another” management course.
Participants thus gain experience in making informed choices in decision-making processes. The Winter School uses the experience of ESMU and HUMANE members to give unique first-hand insight into general problems. The geographical and cultural spread of our members ensure that discussion is not system-specific.
Applicants
The target audience for the Winter School is fast-rising administrators who are seen as having outstanding potential for future leadership, and the capacity to become influential senior managers. They are nominated by their own heads of administration, and selected by the School Steering Committee.

Winter School Alumni Network
Linked to the School the Alumni Network is a powerful tool for further networking and professional contacts in Europe.Leadership and Management
Steering Committee
consists of high level representatives of ESMU and HUMANE:
- Peter West, former Chief Operating Officer of the University of Strathclyde in Scotland (UK) (Chair)
- Dietmar Ertmann, former Kanzler (Head of Administration), Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (DE)
- Flemming Andersen, Dean Faculty of Humanities, University of Southern Denmark (DK)
- Margarida Mano, Pro-Vice- Rector, University of Coimbra (PT)
Winter School Chairman
Dr. Peter West, former Chief Operating Officer of the University of Strathclyde in Scotland ( UK)
Winter School Director
Nadine Burquel - Tel: +32 (0) 2 289 24 60 - E-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Winter School Secretariat
Email of the Winter School Secretariat: Inês Proença - E-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it