University: Council of Ministers gives green light to Anvur reform

The Council of Ministers finally approved the draft decree of the President of the Republic amending the regulation on the structure and functioning of the National Agency for the Evaluation of the University System and Research (Anvur). The update responds to the evolution of the university and research system over the last 15 years. In fact, the regulation dates back to 2010, and it was necessary to update it in line with the legislative measures that came after the 2006 law establishing Anvur.

The main objectives of the measure are to strengthen the national higher education and research system, to adapt the organisational and functional set-up of the Agency in line with European standards (ESG) and to strengthen technical and evaluative independence, transparency and rationalise the organisational set-up.

Among the essential contents of the reform, in Article 2, is the annual planning, which is redefined in accordance with the minister's guidelines, in compliance with the current regulatory framework, inspired by principles of simplification and in conformity with the supervisory powers already present in the previous regulation. Provision is also made for Anvur to carry out evaluation activities at the request of applicants, including foreign institutions. In Article 3 an expansion of the subjects of evaluation activities is carried out with the inclusion of the enhancement of knowledge and the third mission, with a clear distinction between initial accreditation (teaching requirements and infrastructures) and periodic accreditation (extended to doctorates, masters and specialisation schools).

In particular, initial accreditation introduces more streamlined procedures than the current model. Provision is also made for the Mur to request the start of evaluations in the following matters of national importance: definition of the requirements for the establishment, modification or suppression of universities, campuses and courses of study; evaluation of the efficiency and effectiveness of public financing programmes for teaching, research and innovation. In addition, the agency's functions are extended with the support for the creation of the National Research Registry and the definition of the requirements for the identification of experts suitable for the chairmanship of the Evaluation Boards of universities, Afam institutions and research bodies. In Article 4, the function of evaluation results as a parameter for the distribution of state funding is confirmed, and it is specified that the allocation of additional resources is assessed by the ministry on the basis of performance of excellence. Article 5, on the other hand, introduces the obligation to publish the results of evaluations and structured cooperation with the ministry for the development of information systems. In Article 5, the obligation to publish the results of evaluations and structured cooperation with the ministry for the development of information systems is introduced

 Furthermore, a revision of the organisational structure is envisaged, which provides for a president, with a four-year non-renewable term of office, appointed by decree of the President of the Republic, on the proposal of the minister, after consulting the competent parliamentary commissions, from a shortlist drawn up by a selection committee established by decree of the minister. The president is responsible for legal representation, coordinating the activities of the board and overseeing the unity of strategies. The Anvur Governing Council is therefore composed of the president and 4 members, which until today were 7, appointed in the same way within the framework of 4 terns drawn up by a selection committee of high scientific profile that includes, among others, nominees of the Accademia dei Lincei and the European Research Council, in accordance with parliamentary opinions. The term of office is four years, renewable once. Representation of each of the areas of life sciences, physical and engineering sciences, and humanities and social sciences is guaranteed, in accordance with the allocation of the National University Council. In addition, a representative of the academies and conservatories is introduced for the first time, now explicitly included among the subjects subject to evaluation by ANVUR.