On March 27, the "HR Excellence in Research" award for our University was renewed. It is awarded by the European Commission to institutions that meet standards for creating good working conditions for researchers, including conducting transparent recruitment processes.
The renewal of the award is the final stage of the European Commission's ongoing evaluation since last September. A report on the implementation of the HR Excellence in Research strategy at UMCS was submitted in 2022.
On March 17, 2023 a visit was made to UMCS by three EU commissioners checking the level of implementation of the strategy. During the visit, the experts met with the Rector's College, the Monitoring Team for the implementation of the Strategy, representatives of scientists, foreign researchers, and doctoral students.
The topics discussed during the meetings can be grouped into four areas regulated by the European Charter for Researchers and the Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers: ethics and professional aspects; staff recruitment; working conditions; training and career development.
On March 27, 2023 UMCS received formal confirmation to use the award. This follows 3 years of work by the entire Monitoring Team for the implementation of the HR Excellence in Research Strategy. Commissioners checking the level of implementation of the strategy paid special attention to the following aspects:
- creation of a Welcome Center for foreign students, doctoral students and employees;
- creation of a guide for foreign researchers;
- focusing activities on equality, including the creation of a Gender Equality Plan;
- good practices in the training proposal for scientists.
The University also received recommendations for an action plan for the coming years, which will be implemented consistently.
The next audit of the strategy's implementation will take place in three years.
- "The awarding of the HR Excellence in Research distinction by the European Commission is a kind of quality mark of an institution. It confirms that UMCS ensures high standards related to conducting transparent recruitment for vacant employee positions, creating good conditions for scientific and R&D work, as well as counteracting discrimination."- admits Prof. Wieslaw I. Gruszecki, Vice-Rector for Science and International Cooperation, and Chairman of the Monitoring Team for the implementation of the HR Excellence in Research strategy.
