Erasmus+ Programme

Capacity Building in the Field of Higher Education

Call EAC/A03/2019, Selection Year 2020
Type: Joint Projects

Category: C - Improving Management and operation of HEIs

Priority of the Project: Improving Management and Operation of Higher Educational Institutions
(Governance and Management)

Project Title:
- Advancing human resources management practices at HEIs in India through establishment of
HR Center of Excellence

Applicant organisation:
- Wrocław University of Science and Technology, Poland

Program countries partners:

- Tallinn University of Technology, Estonia
- Miguel Hernández University, Spain
- Technical University of Cluj-Napoca, Romania
- Warsaw University, Poland
Partner countries partners:
- Central University of Karnataka
- Central University of Sikkim
- Central University of Punjab
- Mangalore University
- Savitribai Phule Pune University
- Assam University

Rationale:
- HEIs are facing increasingly complex contexts which require HRM models able to respond to
new challenges in the selection, development and motivation of their staff.
- Human Resource Management (HRM) is becoming a strategic element for quality
development of Higher Education Institutions (HEIs)
- Scope of responsibilities for HR departments are changing in the view of international
growth and increasing complexity of Higher Education. HRM aspects focus not only on staff
recruitment, employment contracts and payment of salaries, but more important becomes
staff motivation, continuous development and training, promotion and encouragement,
evaluation, and strategic planning
- In Asia, particularly in India, HEIs are facing significant difficulties derived from disparities in
their countries’ political and social structures as well as the backgrounds of their Higher
Education systems. Well-structured HRM strategies could very much contribute to HE
development and HEIs’ autonomy, thus supporting the processes of reform towards regional
growth.
- The project will bring varied good practices from European HEIs, they will be driving force for
development of knowledge, skills and core competences. This will help HEIs in India to build
and enhance their capacity to manage

Objective:
 - Project aims at contributing to HE organizational reform by developing and implementing
innovative human resources management strategy and practices at the target HEIs from
India through establishment of the Center of HR Excellence

Specific objectives:
- Enhancing human, organisational, and technical capacities of partner countries HEIs in India
to increase efficiency in organizational performance through development of a university HR
Operating Model of innovative HRM practices
- Develop HRM Strategic Plans for institutional decisions (regarding recruitment, retention,
salary increases, promotions, recognition, learning & developing, talent acquisition, health
and wellness initiatives, HR technology) based entirely on merit and performance with
respect to the quality of teaching, research, and service.
- To train HR specialists and managers about the concepts, techniques of human resources
and develop skills for human resources management
- Redefine the role of HR departments as strategic business partners for the organization
- Raising the awareness among the university staff about benefits from implementation of HR
practices
- Raising commitment and motivation among employees to achieve highest levels of
excellence

Project target groups:

Human Resources professionals at HEIs in India

Impact:
• Increased awareness on regional level HEIs & policy makers on common challenges and
existing initiatives in modernising HRM practices and building strategic plans for HR through
knowledge exchange and promotion of good practice;
• Enhanced human, organisational & technical capacities at institutional levels to improve
efficient HRM and create a pool of qualified human resources capable to effectively
implement reforms, using modern tools and methodologies;
• Sustainably strengthened institutional modernisation capacities, through development of
frameworks for HR functions and HR Center of Excellence

HR Center of Excellence

Description of the center

- A HR Center of Excellence (HRCOE) is a team, a shared facility and an entity that provides
leadership, best practices, research, support and/or training for a focus area. A center of
excellence is also aimed at revitalizing stalled initiatives.
- The center aims at transforming HR to deliver forward-thinking capabilities that will help the
universities to respond more timely and effectively to changes in the education environment.

Tasks of HR Center of Excellence

- HR Academy: trainings and workshops - to retrain HR managers about the concepts, techniques
of human resources and develop their skills for human resources management with emphasis on
modern didactic methods (e.g. blended learning) and on ensuring the transfer of learning;
Development of management guidelines and competency models for manager
- HR diagnostics: creation of requirement profiles and competency models, aptitude diagnostics in
applicant selection, diagnostics in personnel development, performing aptitude tests,
questionnaires and assessment centers, implementation of 360 degree feedback – to fit
applicants to the organization and to recognize the potential of employees and unfold it.
- Lean HR: Digitization and Human Resource Management, HR analytics, HR process analysis and
optimization
- HR modern working environment – to promote agility, flexibility and innovation and meeting the
demands of a changing working environment: Design of modern working environments, Shaping
the corporate culture
- Creating HR best practices: employer branding, personnel marketing, employer attractiveness,
onboarding

Benefits:
- A primary benefit from establishing a HR Center of Excellence is the ability to maintain a
uniform set of standards and practices through generations of products and employee
changes. The HRCOE is also the source for procedures and guidance when employees have
questions concerning their development.

Key steps
WP1. An in-depth analysis of the target HEIs’ HR practices and needs
WP2. Development of the HR Operating Model of the center
WP3. Skills enhancement tailor-made trainings (on-site/online)
WP4. Development and implementation of Strategic Action HR Plan
WP5. Creating a network of HR managers pursuing modernisation of HR management systems
and practices
WP6: Awareness Raising & Sustainability
WP7: Quality Control & Monitoring
WP8: Project Management