The project of the ALFA OBSERVATORY under the Alfa III Framework (Component III Accompanying Measures) was selected for funding by the European Commission. The project was officially launched on 16-17 December 2008 in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

The ALFA Observatory project , submitted by Porto University, with the role of a co-ordinator, and the Santander Group European Universities Network as a project partner, aims to contribute to the development of the Higher Education in LA through cooperation between the EU and the 18 eligible countries of Latin America by helping them improve accessibility, quality, and relevance of higher education in LA, contribute to the process of regional integration in LA, foster progress towards the creation of a joint higher education area in the region and exploiting its synergies with the EU system. The project duration is foreseen for 48 months.

The initiative involves partners from the following institutions: the Union of Latin American and Caribbean Universities (UDUAL), Universities Network Montevideo Group (AUGM), Forum of International Offices of the Brazilian Universities (FAUBAI), Association of Colombian Universities (ASCUN), National University of Litoral, Santa Fe, Argentina (UNL), University of Buenos Aires (UBA), Federal University of Pernambuco, (UFPE), National University of Asuncion, Paraguay (UNA), Catholic University of Peru in Lima (PUCPE). The European partners are represented by the co-ordinating institution – Porto University and the Santander Group European Universities’ Network.

The expected results of the project involve among others:

• Set up an ALFA Observatory with a hotline and an e-help desk. Create physical extensions in Latin America (antennas), allowing on-line distribution of information and project follow-up
• Create and manage an ALFA website providing information about the programme, active projects, administrative procedures, important links and contacts
• Set up a Documentation Centre responsible for the compilation and production of manuals and guidelines (administrative, financial, visibility)
• Collect information and organise central data-bases of project results and good practices, easily accessible to all participating players and organisations using electronic means
• Organise dissemination events for HEI's, public and private organisations and general public
• Organise training workshops and seminars for project coordinators and other participating players
• Produce review papers/evaluation studies on the progress achieved in priority areas defined for ALFA III

The specific contribution of this action, as specified for this Component III, will be achieved by working to create synergies between the projects approved under Components I and II, ensuring the collection, centralisation and dissemination of the results of Components I and II and by disseminating the best practices identified during the previous phases of ALFA and the execution of these projects.


CALL FOR SG EXPERTS FOR THE ALFA OBSERVATORY PROJECT
 
According to the approved project plans and the decisions taken during the first meeting of ALFA Observatory Steering Committee in Sao Paulo, the Santander Group agreed that, after consulting its member organisations, it would present proposals of academics/professionals to be invited to integrate the different committees to be organised for the implementation of ALFA Observatory.
 
The proposals to be submitted must include only individuals from the staff of the partner universities or from the universities which are members of the partner networks.
 
Those academics/professionals chosen to be invited will participate in the committees at personal level and will not represent any type of specific interests of the institutions to which they belong.
 
The members of each committee will be selected with the aim to reach a high professional standard while maintaining a sound geographical and institutional equilibrium.
 
Taking into account the suggestions and recommendations made during Sao Paulo meeting, the proposals for each committee should consider the following specific profiles:
 
1. Scientific Committee
 
-To hold a Doctor degree and be an academic with an excellent track in the area of his/her scientific specialisation;
-To have experience of university level management, especially in the scope of international and inter-institutional projects;  
 
Furthermore, it is desirable that those proposed for this committee:
 
-Are familiar with European Union cooperation programmes, namely Programme ALFA, and
-Do not have at this moment institutional management responsibilities that may limit the involvement with the project
 
It was decided that of the six members of this committee, four will come from Latin America and two from the European Union.
 
We expect each individual partner university to present up to one and the networks up to two individual proposals for this committee.
 
2. Public Relations and Visibility Committee
 
-To hold a university degree;
-To have experience in information management, communication, publicity, event promotion and/or public relations.
 
We expect each individual partner university to present up to one and the networks up to two individual proposals for this committee.
 
3. Experts to follow-up individual ALFA III projects
 
-To hold a Doctor degree and be an academic with an excellent track record in the area of his/her scientific specialisation;
-To have experience in the management of international university projects, particularly with European Union programmes;  

LIST OF SELECTED PROJECTS