The Governing Council of the University of Valencia approved on Thursday the Academic Offer (OCA) for 2013/2014. The offer continues the effort, doubled last year, to adjust the groups offered to actual enrollment. It also increases the offer of classes taught in Valencia, with the corporate objective of reaching 35% within five years.
The Vice-Principal for Teaching Staff and Academic Planning, Maria Vicenta Mestre, praised the effort of dialogue with each of the centres of the University to streamline the supply of all groups in the actual enrollment. The OCA also indicates the groups that will cease to exist next year, due to the termination or loss of teaching in certain degrees of old plans. Despite this, measures have been agreed on to facilitate the mentoring of certain groups that are found in studies of old plans.
As for the language choice, the University of Valencia is implementing a plan (launched last year) to increase teaching in Valencian. The commitment of all centres is to reach as much as 35% of supply in five years. For the current 2013/2014 academic year, the percentage stood at 28%, which some degrees already far outweigh even though a minority, despite last year's efforts, have net yet reached this minimum. The vice-principal for Studies and Language Policy, Isabel Vazquez, explained that some degrees came from very low percentages, but that everyone is working to contribute to the objectives agreed institutionally.
Vice-principal Maria Vicenta Mestre has also reported on the participation of the University of Valencia in the Docentia program. This initiative establishes an evaluation system for the degrees offered and teaching staff, necessary to achieve the necessary accreditations. At this time, the University's participation in the program continues to be debated in different organs, but the vice-principal has expressed her determination to promote the initiative.
The program distinguishes between basic and advance level evaluation. The basic one refers to the compliance with the fundamental obligations of teaching and student satisfaction. The assessment of this level will result in a favorable or unfavorable evaluation. The advanced level of evaluation also includes other parameters. The assessment of the advanced level is performed once a favorable evoluation has been obtained at the basic level and will identify the different degrees in teaching performance (satisfactory, very satisfactory or excellent).
The aspects of teaching that correspond to the basic level are attending classes, office hours compliance, compliance with the language contained in the teaching assignment, meeting the administrative requirements for student assessment, and the satisfaction of the students (who made their evoluation of the teachers).
At the advanced level the dedication to teaching, educational planning, the development of teaching and teaching results are considered. This level aims to recognise all the extra effort that teachers performed beyond the basic obligations of teaching.
Secondment of IVIE
The Governing Council also approved the secondment of IVIE (Valencian Institute of Economic Research) at the University of Valencia, and a modification to improve the regulation facilitating the integration of teaching and research staff with disabilities.
Elections in different organs
The Governing Council also voted to elect representatives to various bodies. In this sense, student Laura Peris, the Service Staff Body member Maria Luisa Manzano, and the representative of the Social Council Alfonso Maldonado will be part of the Financial Committee; student Elvira Palafita will join the 0.7% Committee; and Francisco Dalmases will join the Committe on Resources for teaching staff.
Also approved by a large majority was the appointment of Teresa Yebes, from the Department of Social Work and Social Services as honorary professor.
Institutional condolences
In its report, principal Esteban Morcillo has expressed his condolences on the passing of institutional persons associated with the University of Valencia. It is the case of Professor Juan José Server Carrión, Department of Inorganic Chemistry (part of the Faculty of Pharmacy, center where he was secretary and vice dean) Pablo Mateo Cristóbal Borillo, Master's degree student in Creative and Humanistic Translation and José M ª Cervera Collado, member of the Trust for Musical Activies.
Last update: 28 de march de 2013 12:42.
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