ENOHE EUROPEAN OMBUDSMAN INSTITUTE AUSTRIAN STUDENT OMBUDSMAN ENOHE ANNUAL CONFERENCE INNSBRUCK, TYROL , AUSTRIA May 30, 2015
Dec 21, 2015
ENOHE EUROPEAN OMBUDSMAN INSTITUTE AUSTRIAN STUDENT OMBUDSMAN
ENOHE ANNUALCONFERENCE
INNSBRUCK, TYROL , AUSTRIA May 30, 2015
University Ombuds Offices General Principles:
1. Confidentiality2. Impartiality3. Independence4. Autonomy
University Ombuds Offices Duties:
Preserving the University legal system
Protecting the rights of the University communities
Promoting a culture of respect for Human Rights and its non-binding recommendations
Answer: “Helping students
succeed”
Our priority are the students…
What is their agenda? (in the case of Mexico)
YOUTH AGENDA IN MEXICO+ No Discrimination+ Gender Equality+ No Violence+ Pressure groups within
Universities+ Alcohol and drugs+ Environment+ Access to new information
technologies+ Work opportunities
INSTITUTIONAL STRENGHTENING
Characteristics: Independence Flexible procedures, not formal (rigid) Respect for confidentiality Impartiality in its resolutions Transparency and accountability Based on respect for Human Rights Promoting a civil culture for Human
Rights.
HUMAN RIGHTS CONSTITUTIONAL REFORM
The Constitutional Reform for Human Rights of June 11, 2011, in Mexico strengthens the University
Ombuds Offices
INSTITUTIONAL STRENGHTENING
Our Current Mandate: Objective: Defense of the university community rights Solving problems: Complying with the
University rules; solving individual problems. Our goal: Identifying and solving problems within the University
TO DO LIST : (UNIVERSITY OF GUANAJUATO CASE)
To respond to the agenda of the students
Assist the students with their problems Discussion about the extension of the
duties Promotion of the University Ombuds
offices at a National level
UNIVERSITIES IN THE XXI CENTURY
University students have great expectations of their institutions
Universities must cope with actual challenges
Universities must offer an inclusive environment to meet the needs of our diverse academic communities
UNIVERSITIES IN THE XXI CENTURY
The global context will enable us to offer quality higher education,(ACCORDING TO THE REGIONAL NEEDS) to be
at the cutting edge of the various disciplines, and to
achieve excellence in research
THE WARSAW RESOLUTIONAs agreed upon at the 11th ENOHE Annual Conference in Warsaw, Poland
on May 17, 2014…………………..(in Spain from 1985 onwards, and, most recently in Norway since
2013), the following recommendations are issued as agreed upon at the 11th ENOHEAnnual Conference in Warsaw on May 17, 2014:
· National laws regulating universities and other higher education institutions
within the European Higher Education Area should stipulate the importance of
the creation of independent ombudsmen or ombudsman-type offices to
handle issues and concerns. They should have the necessary authority in their
fields and autonomy (i.e. their offices should be free from instructions and
orders from other organs or authorities within their institutions) - in order to
improve relations between the student body, academic and administrative
organs as well as their staff, officers and representatives, within and outside
the academic sphere.
THE WARSAW RESOLUTION
In addition, the institutionalized communication between the student body
and the aforementioned organs should be improved and facilitated by these
ombudsmen - in order to safeguard the rights of the students and all other
members of the university community when handling complaints and
problems which may arise from deficiencies in the daily work of universities
and other higher education institutions.
LOOKING TO THE FUTURE:
Is it possible to improve the quality of the higher education through the ombuds offices?
Yes it is possible…. 1.- Suggesting reforms and changes to
the legal framework and procedures to improve the regulations and their application by officers and representatives.
2.- Applying at the Ombuds offices the International Human Rights Law
3.- Supporting and spreading the work of the Ombuds office in the community
The ombuds offices gives shape to university rights
To provide quality education, the universities must absolutely have a legal framework to ensure that
rules and regulations are complied with.
The presence of the ombuds offices takes on particular importance.
Keeping in mind three fundamental focal points:
1. Defend and Protect Human Rights
2. Awareness and Education3. Improving institutional
and administration procedures and decisions.
CHALLENGE:
To stimulate the interest of our university
community in knowing, enhancing, and complying
with university rules.
International Cooperation: A factor for mutual growth and enrichment
Dialogue among university partners enriches academic relations. Exchanging ideas helps to strengthen our work.