Description
The aim of this project is to develop cooperation between the Mendel University in Brno and Hedmark University College. The cooperation will be based on joint research and publication in the field of responsible and sustainable education. The research will include the comparison of both institutions with the aim of benchlearning - finding new knowledge and inspiration for the future existence of these universities in terms of social responsibility. The research will be done in four stages: creation of a questionnaire based on a modified version of ISO 26000 draft, distribution of questionnaire and personal interviews with appropriate representatives of the university, evaluation of the questionnaire and finally comparison of the results in three main areas – economic, social and environmental. Outputs leading to a possible suggestion of improvements will be published in a form of a monograph (book).
Summary of project results
The aim of this project was to develop cooperation between the Mendel University in Brno and Hedmark University College. The cooperation was based on joint research and publication in the field of responsible and sustainable education. The research included the comparison of both institutions with the aim of benchlearning - finding new knowledge and inspiration for the future existence of these universities in terms of social responsibility. The research was done in four stages: creation of a questionnaire based on a modified version of ISO 26000 draft, distribution of questionnaire and personal interviews with appropriate representatives of the university, evaluation of the questionnaire and finally comparison of both institutions. Outputs leading to a possible suggestion of improvements are published in a form of a monograph (book) titled "Responsibility and Sustainability of Higher Education Institutions" with the ISBN 9781784495589.
Summary of bilateral results
The primary target group of this project were teachers of both institutions. They were involved in the research that braught benefits for their academic career as well as for the university development. Herby they stregthened the relationship between both universities and started a common publication work. The secondary target group were students interested in this topic. Thanks to this project they received new knowledge and were able to do the research in those areas that otherwise would not be available. Students participated on the research and publication work (scientific papers) and used the information in their final theses. The project was important to develop the cooperation between Mendel University in Brno and Hedmark University of Applied Sciences (former Hedmark university college). That was the primary purpose. Another reason was the topic that is up-to-date and important for solving. Social responsibility becomes one of the top-discussed issues on the business level. Due to the economic focus of both institutions, the education of future managers and businessmen should already follow this concept. Nevertheless, to include CSR courses in the program is not enough. The university should also act according to these principles since it is an institution with employees and with a big impact on the society. The comparison of both institutions in this areas braught interesting findings and inspired the researchers to work on positive changes in university social responsibility. Issues solved in this project work started a broader research that will be maintained in the future. This project focused mostly on qualitative research of both universities. The researchers started to work on a quantitative research - based on the information received from the questionnaire, most important areas will be identified and a new questionnaire meant for quantitative research will be created and distributed to all universities in Czech Republic (public and private). The same questionnaire can be used in Norway. Thanks to a developed cooperation a student from HUAS will come in spring/summer semester 2016/17 to MENDELU and will colaborate with MENDELU researchers on this research. Also the publication work will continue even after the end of the project period.