Strategic Plan of the University of Andorra 2025–2029

1. Growth model and continuous improvement

The University of Andorra (UdA) aspires to become the University of the Pyrenees. Following the model of universities located in communities with a similar number of inhabitants (for example, Fribourg, Sassari or Vic, cities with populations between 40,000 and 100,000), the University of Andorra has scope to grow, both in terms of academic offerings and in the number of students. This growth should help attract students from neighbouring regions as well as from other geographical areas, with the aim of consolidating the UdA as a university with a cross-border vocation and a broader, more universal scope of studies.

This process of expansion can be undertaken on the basis of the University of Andorra’s solid current trajectory, in a gradual and safe manner, and thanks to high levels of self-financing.

To move forward with this growth model, it is essential to define a roadmap led by the University Council, which strategically addresses current challenges such as access to housing, secure management of immigration, and the linguistic diversity of potential students. With regard to the latter, simultaneous translation based on artificial intelligence techniques offers promising opportunities to facilitate access to a multilingual academic offer.

Another key aspect of this growth model is the expansion of the urban campus around Plaça de la Germandat in Sant Julià de Lòria. The main University of Andorra building, together with the campus extension in the former Reig Factory and the potential location of a future student residence in the former Hotel Pol, could consolidate Plaça de la Germandat as the heart of the University of Andorra’s urban campus.

The growth model must go hand in hand with enhanced academic autonomy and an adequate level of funding. Greater autonomy would allow for more agile decision-making tailored to the University’s needs, while also strengthening its capacity to respond to Andorran society’s educational needs. At the same time, securing sufficient funding would guarantee the institution’s sustainability and enable it to face future challenges more effectively.

Within the framework of this growth, the University of Andorra, committed to continuous improvement, will establish the Internal Quality Assurance System (IQAS) as a structured, cross-cutting framework that ensures and promotes quality in all university activities: teaching, research, management, and engagement with society. The UdA’s IQAS will be aligned with the guidelines of the Standards and Guidelines for Quality Assurance in the European Higher Education Area (ESG), as well as with the criteria set by the Andorran Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (AQUA) and the European University Association’s (EUA) strategic vision on quality. The IQAS will include a manual, process maps, procedures and structures, with particular emphasis placed on data collection and evaluation.

2. Mission, Vision and Values

2.1. Mission

The University of Andorra, the only public university in the Principality of Andorra, has the following mission:

• To consolidate itself as an innovative, high-quality and rigorous academic institution that responds to the needs of Andorran society in higher education, research and innovation.
• To become the benchmark university of the Pyrenees, strengthening its presence and commitment to the cross-border region.
• To be a recognised university, both nationally and internationally, for excellence in teaching, research and management, closely linked to the Andorran context and open to Europe and the world.
• To carry out high-quality, diverse research with social impact, fostering the transfer of knowledge to Andorran society.
• To promote equality, inclusion, participation, critical thinking, global citizenship, democratic culture, health and sustainable development.

2.2. Vision

By 2029, the University of Andorra aims to be an institution that:

• Offers high-quality, innovative and interdisciplinary academic programmes, aligned with the needs of the country, with partnerships with other institutions and its own educational model. It prepares people to face the challenges of a constantly changing world, providing employment opportunities and personal development.
• Has several research structures with international recognition, producing significant scientific output that attracts external funding. These research structures collaborate with other institutions, ensuring their activity has a clear transfer impact on society and a significant effect on the quality of teaching.
• Helps to highlight Andorran cultural identity and interculturality. It promotes student and staff mobility with other universities and organises training activities and events to encourage academic and cultural exchange.
• Integrates the principles of environmental responsibility and sustainability into all university activities, promotes democratic values, transparency, equality and inclusiveness, and safeguards global health.
• Enjoys academic and financial autonomy, thanks to adequate funding and a professional career model adapted to the needs of the university community and aligned with international standards.
• Provides more space for academic and research activity and a residence for national and international students, with the heart of the campus located in Plaça de la Germandat in Sant Julià de Lòria.

2.3. Values

The fundamental principles underpinning the University of Andorra’s way of working are the following:

• Personalised and quality education
  The small size of the University of Andorra, combined with its closeness to students and a strong commitment to fostering a culture of quality, allows for personalised follow-up that drives both academic and personal development. Furthermore, excellence in teaching, research and qualifications strengthens the reputation of the University of Andorra and significantly contributes to the employability of its graduates.
• Commitment to Andorran society and its values
  As the only public university in the country, the University of Andorra contributes to the development of Andorran society by responding to its training and research needs. It offers both formal and lifelong learning programmes aligned with the demands and values of the country’s socio-economic environment, and promotes research projects of interest for its development in collaboration with research institutions in Andorra.
• Equal opportunities
  The University of Andorra fosters a culture based on fundamental values such as inclusion, equity and solidarity. It has a strong commitment to social progress and enhances equal opportunities in all its actions, encouraging full participation without any form of discrimination against any member of the university community.
• Culture of respect and sense of belonging
  The University of Andorra promotes a plural environment based on mutual respect and collaboration. It guarantees academic freedom for teaching and research staff to encourage critical thinking. Every member of the university community can find the freedom and autonomy needed for academic, professional and personal development. At the same time, activities are promoted and spaces created to strengthen the sense of belonging.
• Sustainability
  The entire university community ensures the economic, academic and environmental sustainability of the University of Andorra’s actions. The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the 2030 Agenda are actively promoted to guarantee the responsible management of all resources.