History:

In 1988 the Interfaculty Committee Agraria was formed to facilitate co-operation between faculties of agriculture in European universities. This organisation was re-constituted as the Inter-university Conference for Agriculture and Related Sciences in Europe (ICA) in 1996. The association brings together institutions in member states of the European Union and countries of Eastern and Central Europe. In 1999 70 higher education institutions from all over Europe are members of ICA. In 2002 the organisation's name was changed into "Interuniversity Consortium for Agricultural and Related Sciences in Europe", in 2006 into "Association for European Life Science universities - ICA". ICA has a Board and an Executive Committee and is managed on a day to day basis by the Secretary General, Dr. Simon Heath. The Secretariat is based at BOKU. ICA holds an annual conference at which the Annual General Assembly is held.

Fields:

• ICA 's Vision
• ICA 's Mission Statement
• ICA 's Objectives
• ICA – Organisation (Operational framework)

ICA 's Vision

One of the most significant challenges that a European higher education institution faces is the competition from other higher education institutions at the European level and worldwide. To succeed a higher education institution needs to strive to enhance the quality of its provision and to engage in the international arena. ICA 's vision is to see its members succeed in this international market place by providing the environment to support the sharing of experience, for co-operation in new ventures, and to benefit from the resulting synergy.

ICA 's Mission Statement

ICA 's mission is to stimulate and support its member institutions in the development of a European dimension in education and research through the development of concerted actions and in engaging globally, and to represent the general interest of its members at the European level.

ICA 's Objectives

ICA will support its members by

• supporting the development of a European dimension to teaching and learning
• enhancing the quality of higher education by taking a proactive role in international quality assurance and accreditation processes
• promoting the availability of European education and research in ICA 's disciplines world wide
• supporting the actions and initiatives of different disciplines and networks through its collaboration in the work of ICA 's Standing Committees
• supporting global internationalisation of of ICA 's members by working directly with members and through involvement by ICA in the work of international networks
• co-operating with other relevant institutions and professional organisations
• representing the general interest of higher education in the life sciences in Europe
• securing funds to reach these objectives

ICA – Organisation (Operational framework)

• General Assembly (one meeting per year)
• Board (one or two annual meetings)
• Executive Committee (approx.four annual meetings, one of which together with Board)
• Standing Committees
• Temporary Task Forces