The Social Council of the University of A Coruña is society’s body for participation at the University of A Coruña (UDC). Its mission is to ensure that the needs and expectations of society are met by the university, promoting collaboration between the two and excellence in teaching, research and the transfer of scientific knowledge.
In accordance with current national and regional regulations, the UDC Social Council carries out control and supervision functions on the economic activities of the university and the performance of its services. It also contributes to the coordination, planning and improvement of the quality of the university system through its participation in some of the most representative institutional forums, such as the Galician Council of Universities, the University System of Galicia Quality Agency and the Conference of Social Councils of Spanish Universities.
The commitment of the UDC Social Council to the modernisation of the Spanish University System, and to the social, economic and cultural development of Galicia, is one of its main strategic objectives. To contribute to its achievement, it identifies, allocates resources, coordinates and supervises University-Business-Third Sector projects, aimed at bringing the university closer to the interests of society. It also encourages collective reflection on university issues through a proactive communication policy, which aims to promote public, open, constructive and plural dialogue.
The Council is structured in two types of bodies: collegiate and individual. The Social Council Plenary, composed of all 30 members, is the highest collegiate governing and deliberative body. In addition, there are three Standing Committees: the Executive Committee, the Economic, Financial and Property Affairs Committee and the University Activities and Service Quality Committee, all of which are regulated in its Organisation and Operating Regulations.
The individual bodies of the Social Council are the Presidency, the Vice-Presidency or Vice-Presidencies, if any, and the Secretariat.
The ex officio members of the Social Council are the Rector of the University, the Secretary General and the University Manager. Also part of the Social Council, representing the University, are a lecturer, a student and a representative of the administration and services staff.
The representation of social interests in the Social Council corresponds to personalities from cultural, professional, economic, occupational or social life, distributed as follows:
- Chairman of the Social Council. Pursuant to Law 6/2013, of 13 June, on the Galician University System, the Chairman of the Social Council is appointed by the Office of the President of the Regional Government of Galicia, from among personalities from cultural, professional, economic, occupational and social life who do not belong to the university community, at the proposal of the head of the department responsible for universities, taking into consideration the opinion of the Rector.
- Six members appointed by the Galician Parliament.
- Six members appointed by the Regional Government of Galicia.
- One member appointed by each of the most representative trade unions in the Autonomous Region of Galicia.
- Four members appointed by the most representative business organisations of the strategic sectors of the Galician economy in the area of influence of the University.
- One member appointed by the corporations of the municipalities in which the campuses are located.
- One member appointed by the alumni association.
- One member appointed by the professional associations, through their most representative associative body, linked to the training offer.
