The UB approves a new academic and teaching model based on active learning and innovation
News
|
Institutional
(17/07/2024)
The approval of the University of Barcelona’s new Academic and Teaching Model was the highlight of the last Governing Council of the academic year, which took place today, Wednesday. This model consists of four pillars, the aim of which is to adapt the UB’s training and teaching programmes to current needs, under the criteria of quality and excellence.
News
|
Institutional
17/07/2024
The approval of the University of Barcelona’s new Academic and Teaching Model was the highlight of the last Governing Council of the academic year, which took place today, Wednesday. This model consists of four pillars, the aim of which is to adapt the UB’s training and teaching programmes to current needs, under the criteria of quality and excellence.
Technological advances, the globalization of higher education, the emergence of European university alliances and legislative changes such as the Organic Law of the University System (LOSU) are factors that have encouraged the UB to update both the way it teaches and the academic development of its teaching staff.
The first part of the Academic and Teaching Model is based on promoting quality teaching, in a digitalized environment and focused on active learning and teaching innovation. This model is linked to teacher training and a new teaching evaluation system, based more on quality and less on dedication to teaching activity. It calls for face-to-face training; the use of active methodologies; the incorporation of digital simulation tools, virtual reality and artificial intelligence (AI) in learning, and collaborative teaching practice, as basic axes.
The adaptation of training programmes to the needs of the environment constitutes the second part, which is committed to a transversal, diverse academic offer, with external academic internships that prepare students for professional practice, that favour mobility and internationalization, and that incorporate integrated international programmes with European universities. The third axis of the new academic and teaching model focuses on aligning itself with the objectives of sustainable development. In this way, the gender perspective and the eco-social perspective are incorporated into academic and teaching policy as cross-cutting objectives. Lifelong learning constitutes the fourth and final axis, and seeks to respond to the challenge facing the University of offering lifelong learning and training for the population in general, in a society and a world of work in which demands are changing.
New UB university hospital
During today’s Governing Council, the University’s governing team announced that the Hospital Universitari de Mollet, until now a partner hospital of the UB, has become a university hospital. With this health centre, the UB now has six university hospitals: Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, Hospital de Bellvitge, Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, Hospital Mutua de Terrassa, Hospital Moisès Broggi Hospital Complex and now Hospital Universitari de Mollet.
On the other hand, the vice-rector for Doctoral Studies, Trainee Research Staff and Talent Attraction, Maria Feliu, explained to the members of the body the Guide of good practices in the direction and tutoring of theses. The document sets out the roles of thesis supervisors and tutors. It also defines the responsibilities of doctoral students and the different stages of support in doctoral studies.
The first part of the Academic and Teaching Model is based on promoting quality teaching, in a digitalized environment and focused on active learning and teaching innovation. This model is linked to teacher training and a new teaching evaluation system, based more on quality and less on dedication to teaching activity. It calls for face-to-face training; the use of active methodologies; the incorporation of digital simulation tools, virtual reality and artificial intelligence (AI) in learning, and collaborative teaching practice, as basic axes.
The adaptation of training programmes to the needs of the environment constitutes the second part, which is committed to a transversal, diverse academic offer, with external academic internships that prepare students for professional practice, that favour mobility and internationalization, and that incorporate integrated international programmes with European universities. The third axis of the new academic and teaching model focuses on aligning itself with the objectives of sustainable development. In this way, the gender perspective and the eco-social perspective are incorporated into academic and teaching policy as cross-cutting objectives. Lifelong learning constitutes the fourth and final axis, and seeks to respond to the challenge facing the University of offering lifelong learning and training for the population in general, in a society and a world of work in which demands are changing.
New UB university hospital
During today’s Governing Council, the University’s governing team announced that the Hospital Universitari de Mollet, until now a partner hospital of the UB, has become a university hospital. With this health centre, the UB now has six university hospitals: Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, Hospital de Bellvitge, Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, Hospital Mutua de Terrassa, Hospital Moisès Broggi Hospital Complex and now Hospital Universitari de Mollet.
On the other hand, the vice-rector for Doctoral Studies, Trainee Research Staff and Talent Attraction, Maria Feliu, explained to the members of the body the Guide of good practices in the direction and tutoring of theses. The document sets out the roles of thesis supervisors and tutors. It also defines the responsibilities of doctoral students and the different stages of support in doctoral studies.
The new model updates student training programmes and the teaching staff’s academic development.
New anti-bullying protocol in sports
Today’s session also saw the presentation of the Protocol for the prevention, detection and action against situations of discrimination in sport due to racism, xenophobia and intolerance in the university environment. This new tool exemplifies the UB’s commitment to prevention and a firm response to protect people affected by situations of violence and discrimination in sport.
The University’s zero tolerance policy in this area is based on four points: a total rejection of any kind of discrimination and violence in the field of sports; the promotion of a culture of prevention through awareness-raising activities in the university community; the reporting and investigation of any conduct constituting discrimination or violence, and the support of people who have suffered such behaviour.
Another of the points approved by the Governing Council today was the Instruction on the use of inclusive, non-androcentric language in UB regulations. As stated in the Instruction, the use of the generic masculine should only be “exceptional in nature”, and is used whenever there is no alternative that designates the group in question in an “agile and effective” way. A technical commission has been set up to study each situation. It is therefore requested to use alternative resources to the generic masculine, as stated in the chapter on inclusive language in the University of Barcelona’s Style Guide.
Rector’s report
The Rector of the University of Barcelona, Joan Guàrdia, reviewed, in his report, the current state of the university system. Among other issues, he reported that the criteria for the distribution of the number of lecturer places for each autonomous community have been approved, that various working commissions have been set up between the Conference of Rectors of Spanish Universities (CRUE) and the Ministry of Universities, and that work has begun on the future Statute of the teaching and research staff, derived from the LOSU.
Today’s session also saw the presentation of the Protocol for the prevention, detection and action against situations of discrimination in sport due to racism, xenophobia and intolerance in the university environment. This new tool exemplifies the UB’s commitment to prevention and a firm response to protect people affected by situations of violence and discrimination in sport.
The University’s zero tolerance policy in this area is based on four points: a total rejection of any kind of discrimination and violence in the field of sports; the promotion of a culture of prevention through awareness-raising activities in the university community; the reporting and investigation of any conduct constituting discrimination or violence, and the support of people who have suffered such behaviour.
Another of the points approved by the Governing Council today was the Instruction on the use of inclusive, non-androcentric language in UB regulations. As stated in the Instruction, the use of the generic masculine should only be “exceptional in nature”, and is used whenever there is no alternative that designates the group in question in an “agile and effective” way. A technical commission has been set up to study each situation. It is therefore requested to use alternative resources to the generic masculine, as stated in the chapter on inclusive language in the University of Barcelona’s Style Guide.
Rector’s report
The Rector of the University of Barcelona, Joan Guàrdia, reviewed, in his report, the current state of the university system. Among other issues, he reported that the criteria for the distribution of the number of lecturer places for each autonomous community have been approved, that various working commissions have been set up between the Conference of Rectors of Spanish Universities (CRUE) and the Ministry of Universities, and that work has begun on the future Statute of the teaching and research staff, derived from the LOSU.