IMUNE was established in 1997 in Geneva, Switzerland under a Swiss charter. This has been complemented by incorporation in 2005 within the British Virgin Islands.
The university structure follows that of international principles with the following principle instruments of governance.
University governance is affected by 2 bodies:
- The Senate (Academic Board)
- The Council (Advisory Board)
The Senate comprises executive and senior academic board.
This is the academic authority of the university with the following principle functions:
- Control of the academic programme.
- Control of teaching and research.
- Regulation of examinations.
- Institution of qualifications and courses of study.
The Senate has sole custody and use of the university seal and the Vice Chancellor and delegated staff are empowered to act on behalf of IMUNE in the sealing of documents bearing the signature of the Vice Chancellor.
Membership of the Council is subject to annual review and with the exception of the Chancellor the maximum period of office is 4 years from the date of ratification of appointment. Under exceptional circumstances members may serve for a longer period.
- Chancellor: primary responsibilities include development of the range of offerings from the university, the promotion of the university liaison with other learning institutions, professional and regulatory bodies, overseeing the legal framework within which the university operates.
- Vice Chancellor: primary responsibility for operational and administrative elements of the university including co-development of university role in conjunction with the Chancellor and co-development of academic offerings in conjunction with the Dean.
- Dean: primary academic leader of the university. The Dean has primary responsibility for the development of IMUNE courses, the establishment of criteria and processes for qualifications, course and trainer certification and examination processes and criteria.
The Academic Board
This is the major review academic body. It’s functions include:
- Review of academic proposals and processes formulated by both the Senate and sub-ordinate bodies.
- Academic strategies and policy functions.
- Policy proposal prioritization.
- Review and proposals relating to course natures and contents.
The Academic Board membership reflect established expertise by qualification and/or experience with the ability to contribute across a broad range of modalities and university academic operation. The intention is to ensure a broad and reputable academic representation across a range of modalities and geography.
In comparison to the Senate the Council is broader in it’s membership and has a more general advisory role, whilst still being subject to the powers of the Senate. It advises in general areas in relation to the conduct of the affairs of the university inclusive of certain proposal and review aspects of the academic programme. In particular it is formulated to take such steps as it may consider appropriate in order to advance the interests of the university and it’s mission, in maintaining efficacy and standards, encouraging teaching, the pursuit of learning and prosecution of research.
The Chair of the Council is appointed from within its members by the executive.
The Vice Chair of the Council may be appointed from amongst it’s own members or the Academic Board but not from other members of the Senate.
The Council should appoint a secretary to record activities and correspondences.
When possible the council shall include lay members being drawn either from mature persons who are currently programme students or from practitioners of natural health who are not involved in academic or training areas.
The decision making process shall be based on a majority consensus and the secretary will be responsible for ensuring that correctly formulated and ratified correspondence and decisions are forwarded to the Senate.
Persons may either apply or be invited to apply for membership of the Council. As part of this process and at any time of membership of the Council declaration of conflicts of interest shall be disclosed and entered in an IMUNE register of interests. Such declarations will ensure the interest area is clear, what benefits it carries including direct or indirect financial aspects. Such conflicting aspects will not preclude a member from contributing but may preclude a member from participating in the decision process.
All members of the Senate, Academic Board, Council and General Assembly have appointments subject to declaration of interests with provision within the operating structure of each element to specifically declare conflict of interests in any matters arising from the university business.
IMUNE Senior Academic Board .pdf
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